Podcast #1: Elements of Design!

What does it take to create good graphic design?

Requires an understanding of the elements and principles of art

What is the difference between elements and principles?

Elements: components of a piece; the things added to a design

Principles:Tell us how to organize the elements in the piece

Name the six (6) elements of design.

-Line

-Shape/form

-Space

-Texture

-Value

-Color

What can lines aid in, when alone or combined with other lines or shapes?

Readability, appearance and message of a design

Which lines suggest a feeling of rest? Why do you think?

Horizontal lines (relation to gravity)

Vertical lines communicate a feeling of what? Why do you think?

Loftiness; No gravitational pull

What lines suggest a feeling of movement? Why do you think?

Diagonal lines; unstable in relation to gravity

Soft, shallow curved lines suggest what? Why do you think?

Suggest comfort, safety, and relaxation; they look comfortable and soft

These lines suggest confusion and turbulence? Why do you think?

Acute curves; violence, turning, twisting lines

What element defines a specific area of space?

Shape!

What is the difference between two dimensional shapes and three dimensional shapes?

2D: Width and height

3D: has depth, width, and height

Describe the difference between geometric shapes and organic shapes?

Geometric: Structured, often symmetrical shapes (Circles, squares, triangles, octagons, hexagons, and cones)

Organic:Found in nature, or man-made; irregular & fluid

What are abstract shapes?

Stylized or simplified versions of natural shapes (Symbols on signs)

Which basic shape projects an attitude of honesty or equality?

Square

What do triangles suggest?

Action, and stability if a pyramid

Circles convey feelings of what?

Protection or infinity

Describe positive space and negative space?

Positive: Refers to the object and elements used in a design; the area which contains all of the elements you have added to your design, including text, graphics, photos, lines, or shapes

Negative: Refers to the shapes around and between those objects and elements; white space; gives a place for the eye to rest, which is needed in order for the message you’re trying to communicate to be absorbed; a visual cue that there’s a break in the content of that the content is finished

What is texture?

Can refer to the actual surface of the design; with the ability to feel design; implied texture can be made by rich, layered graphics on a 2D design

Incorporating texture into a design can help do what?

Richness and depth

What is value?

The degree of light and dark in a design; the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between; gives depth and perceptions; spacial allusions

What is another name for value?

Tone

What can the element of color do when incorporated into a design?

It can be applied to any other element!