Design Element Notes

Design: The Principles and Elements

What is Graphic Design?
Design elements are the basic units of a visual image.
The principles of design govern the relationships of the elements used and organize the composition as a whole.
All imagery, art, design, and photography alike, are comprised of elements that can be broken down and analyzed. This goes for web design as well.

What are the Elements and Principles?
Design and art elements are the basic units of a visual image.
The principals of design and art govern the relationships of the elements used an organize the composition as a whole.
All imagery, art, design, and photography alike, are comprised of elements that can be broken down and analyzed by it's visual components and the principles that guide them.


Design Elements:

Space:
Can exist in two dimensions or three dimensions.
It can refer to a positive space or a negative one.
It can also refer to foreground, mid, or background elements.

Line:
Line is a basic element, it can vary in thickness, texture, direction, etc.

Color:
Color consists of many pallets, and are use in different situations, depending on the project different pallets say different things.

Shape:
Shape is used for memory and keeping things in people's mind, iconic logos and shapes.

Texture:
Used to invoke people's likes and dislikes, depending on the market you wish to sell or show your product off.

Value:
Value is used to add dimension to something/anything.

Balance:
The properties of an image that allows it to be balanced/unbalanced or symmetrical/asymmetrical.


Design Principles:

Unity:
Unity creates a sense of order, a consistency in size and shape.
Proximity can create a sense of unity, it can also show a lack of unity.

Variety:
A sense of change yet similar colors or shapes to engage eyes in difference.

Repetition:
The use of one kind of object or color to improve upon a design.

Harmony:
The use of colors and objects blending together in a larger picture to improve upon the design.

Proximity:
The amount of space and curvature in a design to get as much information as tightly packed as possible, so the eye does not get bored.

Proportion:
The size of one or multiple objects in a design to give it more detail and/or depth.

Emphasis (Focal point):
Using color to emphasis what the user/client is supposed to be focusing on.

Functionality:
Making the design that is useful, necessary, and has a playful or comedic aspect to it.