Elements and Principals of Design for Multimedia

Horizontal, vertical, diagonal, straight, curved, dotted, broken, thick, thin.

• Texture

• Value

• Line

• Balance

The juxtaposition of different elements of design (for example: rough and smooth textures, dark and light values) in order to highlight their differences and/or create visual interest, or a focal point.

• Variety

• Contrast

• Harmony

• Movement

2D (two dimensional)

Flat Geometric (square, circle, oval, triangle) Organic (all other shapes)

• Unity

• Value

• Space

• Shape

Refers to the wavelengths of light. Refers to hue (name), value (lightness/darkness), intensity (saturation, or amount of pigment), and temperature (warm and cool).

Relates to tint, tone and shade.

• Colour

• Form

• Emphasis

• Unity

All parts of an image work together to be seen as a whole.

• Form

• Unity

• Emphasis

• Space

A regular arrangement of alternated or repeated elements (shapes, lines, colours) or motifs.

• Pattern

• Unity

• Harmony

• Scale

Special attention/importance given to one part of a work of art (for example, a dark shape in a light composition). Emphasis can be achieved through placement, contrast, colour, size, repetition... Relates to focal points.

• Variety

• Contrast

• Harmony

• Emphasis

The lightness or darkness of an image (or part of an image).

• Colour

• Shape

• Value

• Space

3D (three dimensional) Geometric (cube/sphere/cone)

Organic-all other forms

• Form

• Shape

• Space

• Balance

Using different elements in an image to create visual interest.

• Emphasis

• Balance

• Unity

• Variety