Design and Color

April 11, 2006

DESIGN AND COLOUR

The elements and principles of design are the building blocks used to create a work of art. The Elements of design can be thought of as the things that make up a painting, drawing, design etc. Good or bad - all paintings will contain most of if not all, the seven elements of design.

The Principles of design can be thought of as what we do to the elements of design. How we apply the Principles of design determines how successful we are in creating a work of art.

THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

LINE
Line are linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet.

SHAPE
A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form.

SIZE
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.

TEXTURE
Texture is the surface quality of a shape and can be physical or visual.

COLOUR
Color is also called Hue.

VALUE
Value is the lightness or darkness of a color.

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

BALANCE
Balance is the concept of visual equilibrium, and relates to our physical sense of balance.

GRADATION
Gradation occurs when forms or colors evolve

REPETITION
the regular or harmonious recurrence of elements

CONTRAST
Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements

HARMONY
Harmony is the pleasing agreement of parts or combination of parts in a composition

UNITY
elements has a clear visual relationship to one or more other elements