Design Elements

By Jenni Juntunen — 

Line can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin.
Shapes can be geometric or organic. Shapes are flat and can express lenght and width.
Forms can express length, width and depth. Balls, cylinders, boxes and triangles are forms.
Space is the area between and around objects. In visual art we can create the feeling or illusion of depth we call it space.
Color has hue or its name (cyan, magentha, yellow, black etc.), value and saturation.
Texture is the surface quality that can be seen or felt.
Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture and space. These elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable.
Emphasis catches the viewers attention.
Movement makes the path that the viewer’s eye takes through the artwork.
Pattern means repeating of some object or symbol all over the artwork.
Repetition works with pattern to make the artwork seem active.
Proportion is a feeling of unity when all parts relate well with each other
Rhythm is organized movement in artwork.
Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention
Unity is the feeling of harmony between parts of the artwork creating a sense of completeness.