Elements & Principles of Design

Elements & Principles of Design

Quick Overview

Reverse Engineering /

Visual Analysis

What are elements of design?

Elements are the building blocks of visual design. We will consider 7 elements:

- Line (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved)

- Color (warm, cool, neutral)

- Value (lighter, darker)

- Shape (2D - geometric, mechanical, organic)

- Form (3D)

- Texture (smooth, rough, fluffy)

- Space (positive, negative)

Like building blocks, designers can combine elements in different ways to achieve different effects.

Is this the only way to arrange these blocks?

You probably already know something about elements of design.

Let's look at some examples!

Multiple Choice

What element of design does NOT make this eagle stand out from the rest of the structure?

• Color

• Space

• Shape

• Texture

Multiple Choice

What element of design is used throughout this window?

• Warm colors

• Rough texture

• Curved lines

• Dark value

What are principles of design?

We will consider 7 principles of design:

- Balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial)

- Contrast

- Emphasis

- Rhythm (regular, random, gradated/graduated)

- Proportion

- Unity

- Economy

Here's an example of a design with economy of color and random rhythm of color.

Economy means simplicity.

Random rhythm means the design is not predictable.

Multiple Select

Which principles of design are used here?

(Check all that apply)

• Economy of color

  (Economy means simplicity)

• Radial balance of shape and line

  (Rule of thumb: if it's round, it's probably radial)

• Emphasis of vertical lines

  (Emphasis draws your attention)

• Contrast of value

  (Contrast makes one part of the design stand out)

When you complete a visual analysis of a design, you look for the ways elements and principles work together.

Look at this example from today's lesson.

What will you do today?

• Review the Elements & Principles of Design PowerPoint

• Complete the Guided Notes (download from the Hub)

• Use your notes to complete the ASSIGNMENT: Identifying Elements & Principles of Design