THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
In design, the elements are the fundamental components that make up every composition. At The Design Guild we work every day, on every piece considering each of these elements. You could say they are a designer’s toolkit. Referring to the elements of design when providing feedback will help your designer understand the direction you are providing. You will be speaking our language. That will make us smile.
Line: a path traced by a moving point
Example: The outline of a shape or the strokes in a drawing
Shape: a two-dimensional area enclosed by lines or curves
Example: A circle, triangle, or square
Form: a three-dimensional object or the illusion of three-dimensionality in a two-dimensional work
Example: A sculpture, a vase, or a drawing with shading that gives the impression of volume
Space: the distance or area around, between, or within elements
Example: The negative space between two shapes or the positive space within a shape
Texture: the tactile quality of a surface, representing how it would feel to touch
Example: A rough or smooth surface, a glossy or matte finish
Color: the hue, value, and saturation of a visual element
Example: A bright red, a pale blue, a rich purple
Value: the lightness or darkness of a color
Example: A pale yellow is a high-value color, while a deep blue is a low-value color
Proportion: the size relationship between elements
Example: A small object in the foreground of a photograph that is larger than an object in the background
Balance: the arrangement of elements in a way that is visually stable
Example: A symmetrical layout with elements of equal weight on either side of a central axis
Contrast: the difference between elements that draws attention
Example: A light color next to a dark color, a small shape next to a large shape
Unity: the sense that all of the elements in a design work together as a cohesive whole
