Elements of Design

The Elements of Design

Senior Media Arts

Element: Line

Lines are used in print media for many purposes:

- to create emphasis on a word or phrase,

- to create striking visual patterns

- to lead the viewer's eye

- to connect content

Multiple Select

Checking for understanding

Lines are used in design to:

(choose two)

• lead the eyes away from important element

• lead the eye towards the most important elements

• create emphasis

Element: Shape

• are 2D and have height and width

• shapes can be used as visual elements to attract attention, particularly odd shapes

Multiple Choice

Checking for understanding

Shapes can be used to

• attract attention to a certain area of the design

• create 3D forms

Element: Value

• relates to how light or dark an area looks, like a gradient

• Value creates depth and light, and contrast

• Value can emphasise, create patterns and lead the eye

Multiple Choice

Value is best described as

• the difference between colours

• the difference between shades of light and dark

Element: Colour

• used to generate emotions

• can be used to emphasise importance

• can create visual interest or grab attention

• can be categorised as 'warm' and 'cool'

Open Ended

What emotion/s does yellow make you feel?

Multiple Choice

Blue is a _____ colour

• warm

• cool

Element: Size

• in media, we also refer to the size of elements as scale

• size defines importance

• creates visual interest

• attracts attention

Multiple Choice

Checking for understanding

The larger the element,

• the more important it is

• the less important it is

Element: Space

• Space is the area around or between elements in the design

• it makes your design uncluttered

• defines important elements

• can be used to separate elements

Open Ended

What's the first thing you notice in this ad?

(click image to enlarge)

Element: Texture

• is the look or feel of an object

• adds depth

• makes printed paper appear to have another texture