Elements & Principles of Design

has more length than thickness, and can be unbroken, broken, or implied. Can be vertical, diagonal, horizontal, and even curved.

• Line

• Shape

• Form

• Space

• Color

Hues with values and intensities (how our eyes interpret the reflection of light)

• Line

• Shape

• Form

• Space

• Color

A 2D area enclosed by lines or curves

Types

Geometric: square, circle, triangle

Mechanical: simple shapes made of straight and curved lines

Organic: natural or simulating nature

• Line

• Shape

• Form

• Space

• Color

A 3D volume or solid

Often implied on a 2D surface by careful use of value

• Line

• Shape

• Form

• Space

• Color

Areas between and around parts of an image or the implied depth in that image

Types

Positive

Negative

• Line

• Shape

• Form

• Space

• Color

The surface look or feel

Types: Smooth, Rough

• Line

• Shape

• Value

• Texture

• Color

The range from light to dark

• Line

• Shape

• Value

• Texture

• Color

The distribution of elements within a design that create the impression of equality

Types

Symmetrical (formal) 

Asymmetrical (informal)

Radial

• Balance

• Emphasis

• Contrast

• Rhythm/Pattern

• Proportion

Used to draw attention to one area

Focal Point – feature in a design that attracts the eye

Can be achieved through 

Size

Placement 

Shape

Contrast

Use of lines

• Balance

• Emphasis

• Contrast

• Rhythm/Pattern

• Proportion

The degree of relative difference between elements

• Balance

• Emphasis

• Contrast

• Rhythm/Pattern

• Proportion