The Elements Of Design Introduced
The Elements Of Design
1. Line
2. Shape
3. Value & Form (Light and Dark)
4. Color (All Color Theory)
5. Texture (Surface Quality)
6. Space
Art is often considered the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. Art encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations and ways of expression.
The Elements of Design are all important in making a work of art. They can be used individually or combined together to create more impact. It is the artist’s decision in how to use them according to their style of art.
Definition, Function And Interaction of the Elements of Design
The Elements of Design are important in making art in similar ways as atoms are to the making of physical objects all around us. Atoms combine in various ways to form various substances in our world as the Elements of Design combine in various ways to divide Space, define Shapes, form objects and create expressions in art.
The Elements of Design have their own hierarchy of importance and function. Imagine creating a drawing or painting without using lines first to divide the paper or canvas into spaces or shapes. Line can communicate an idea or express a feeling, seem static or active, be fluid or rigid, steady or broken, smooth or jagged, looped or angular, thick or thin, piercing or blunt. A line can function independently or in groups, be solitary or cooperative, be entwined with others, parallel to others or cross one another.
Therefore line is listed here first because thoroughly understanding the nature and function of line is primary in learning the process of Design and Composition. Line however, is second only to one other element that is not often spoken of nor even listed here as an element. Can you say what this is? Imagine placing a sharp pencil down on a piece of paper as if intending to draw a line but stopping short of moving the pencil and lifting the pencil away from the paper. Would there be a mark left on the paper? What would be left on the paper? A point, a dot, the smallest possible mark we could leave on the paper, hardly worth mentioning. What would happen if we repeated that motion of setting the pencil down directly next to the last dot we had made and lifting the pencil repeatedly? What would we call what was left on the paper? Thus the essential definition of a line, a series of adjacent points. Therefore the dot is the very essence of a line. I will discuss Shape next.
