Designing is usually seen simply as a form of art, and little do people know that there are theories, elements and principles are applicable to arts.
In this post, I will write and explain about design elements. To start with, the basic elements in designing are point, line, shape, direction, size, texture, color and value (tone).
1. Point
Points are the first and simplest form in the elements of design. A combination of points can further create complicated objects and ideas. Points can also be used to emphasize important ideas, direct attention (especially in maps) and represent a more complex object or idea in a simpler and clearer form (Kovalik & King, n.d.). Here's a piece of art that uses a lot of points to create a complex object:
2. Line
A line is made up of points which are placed so close together or joined together which then forms into another entity which are called.. lines. Lines can be straight, curved or even irregularly shaped, which can be seen as the movement of a point - its tracks (Kovalik & King, n.d.).
Lines are the basic form before shapes, and with just simple lines, we can form really simple designs which can look either abstract, modern, or just plain random.
Here're examples on abstract paintings which use lines only:
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| "Puddle Painting: Light Cerulean Blue" (2008) by Ian Davenport |
Dating back into history, lines were also used in well-known paintings which are painted by famous artists (which are not that famous during their times). As an example, Vincent Van Gogh used many lines and manipulated them into more meaningful items, such as:
In this current era full of modern technology, lines are mostly depicted as lights. For instance, when you squint your eyes at a street lamp, you will see lines of light streaking out from the lamp. Therefore, glowing lines depicting lights are used in art which are still categorized as abstract, except that they have a modernized touch to them. Here's an example of this:
In comics, lines are important for several functions: movement, emphasis, aura. For instance, Japanese manga use a lot of lines in emphasizing actions by their characters. Here's an example on how lines are being used from a manga called JoJo's Bizarre Adventur
es (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken) drawn by an artist named Hirohiko Araki:
As we can see from the manga page depicted above, we can see that movement and actions are emphasized and directions are given by the lines, accompanied by special sound effects (SFX) which are typed (the ゴオオオオオオオオオdepict a rumbling sound).
3. Shape
Shapes are areas that stand out from the surrounding space, and are usually formed when a line encloses a particular area. Shapes appear in various forms, with no definite number as to how many shapes really exist. In addition, shapes also help define figure-ground relationships (Kovalik & King, n.d.).
In the picture above, we can see that the artist used many geometric and simple shapes to form a piece of complex art. From here, we can also see that shapes are made when a line surrounds an area.
In the painting above, the shapes found are the geometric shapes as well as the woman's figure. From here, it is clearly seen that the shapes found represent the figures in the painting, and the plain background is the ground of the painting.
4. Direction
All lines have direction - whether they are horizontal, vertical or oblique. Direction is essential in setting the mood to a painting. Horizontal lines give off a calm and stable mood; as well as a clean and clear feeling to a certain painting. Vertical lines insert strength and boldness to a painting, besides a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique and diagonal lines add to the flow of movement in a painting (Lovett, 1999).
The picture above shows a horizontal emphasis, where the hills, lands and water are placed horizontally across the canvas. This gives off a calming feeling, as well as create a clear and static atmosphere.
The picture inserted above displays a vertical emphasis. We can see that clearly as the trees are placed in a strong and stable vertical position. It emits a stable and strong feeling to these objects, besides having a balanced structure feel.
Now in the painting above, we can see movement, and direction from the upper part to the part located further away.
5. Size
Size refers to the amount of area an object occupies. In paintings, size play a role in creating a perception of perspective and depth (where larger sized objects are perceived as closer to the viewer and smaller sized objects seem further from the viewer), besides creating attitude to subjects (eg. large objects seem "bold and strong" while small objects are more "subtle, timid and delicate").
6. Texture
Texture is felt through touch or the illusion of touch, where it is defined as the surface characteristics of a certain object. Texture can also make an object more dominant than the other by fabricating it with a rough surface (Kovalik & King, n.d.).
7. Color
Color - also known as hue - refers to the light reflected from the objects in our vision (Kovalik & King, n.d.). The first stage of colors are called primary colors, where they are colors that stand on their own, and cannot be created by mixing other colors together. Primary colors consist of red, blue and yellow. The next stage of colors are called secondary classes, where these colors are created by mixing two primary colors together. Secondary colors consist of orange (red + yellow), green (blue + yellow) and purple (blue + red). Any other colors created using a mixture of primary and secondary colors are considered as tertiary colors.
A color wheel is created when primary and secondary colors are placed together in a circle in a certain order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple (yep, the sequence of a rainbow). Colors that are placed across one another are complementary colors (red-green, blue-orange, yellow-purple), and they create a lot of contrast when placed together, making it hard to stare at the object. Colors that are close to each other create harmonious colors.
Colors are also divided into two categories in terms of their temperature: warm colors and cool colors. Warm colors consist of red, orange and yellow, and gives out a cozy and hot feeling to viewers. It also makes a space seem smaller and tighter. Cool colors refer to the colors blue, green and purple, which gives out a relaxed and cooling aura. It also creates the perception of making a space seem larger and more spacious. Below are examples of paintings that use warm colors, cool colors and a mixture of both warm and cool colors respectively:
8. Value
Value, also known as tone, is defined as the degree of lightness and darkness in a subject or object (Kovalik & King, n.d.). Objects need to have a contrast in value in order to be seen. If there is no contrast in value, the objects may look too plain and it will be hard to make out the shape of the object. In other words, value helps in defining objects, shapes and space.
Values can also add emotions to objects. Dark tones usually denote a sense of mysteriousness, melancholy, drama and evil. Light tones, on the other hand, usually denote joy, fun, closeness and warmth. Below are examples on how tones play a role in changing the mood of the same picture.
From the pictures inserted above, it can be seen that with the same picture, different tones of background give out a different vibe about the pictures. When the background is black and has a dark value, it has a more mysterious and dramatic vibe in it. When the background is yellow and has a light value, it symbolizes fun and enjoyment.
That is all for this post about design elements. Cheers!
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