Elements And Principles Of Design

The elements and principles of design are used in works of art, architecture and even home design. These basic concepts cover a range of small pieces that make up a whole creation. The comprehension of these pieces allows an artist to complete a work that is technically correct and appreciated by critics.

The Seven Elements of Design These elements are the building blocks or the very basics of art. They are what develop a painting into a work of art.

Line. This first of the elements and principles of design may be the stroke of a brush or the space between objects. It is also used to describe the points where objects in the work meet. The lines often create the outline or basics of picture.

Shape. Shape is recognized as geometric or recognizable. The shape is what tells the human eye what the picture represents, whether it is a person, place or other familiar item.

Direction. This simplistic piece of the elements and principles of design is all about which way the creation is moving. Horizontal, vertical or obtuse placement in the design is due to the element of direction.

Size. This part of the elements and principles of design is all about how much space the item takes up in a work.

Texture. Texture refers to the real or perceived physical feeling of the picture. Some artists use various types of paint to create texture.

Color. This part of the elements and principles of design is fairly straightforward. It's the use of color to represent items in schemes.

Value. Possibly the most complex piece of the elements and principles of design is value. It refers to the use of tones, lightness and darkness to create negative spaces in a design or work.

The Principles of Design. These principles are broader concepts that are used in more in the world outside of painting. Most of the concepts relate to building designs and the creation of work and living spaces in homes and offices.

Balance. This simply refers to balances left to right or top to bottom in the work. A large object on the left needs to be balanced with one or more objects on the right. Two or three small items may take up the same space as one large on the opposite side.

Gradiation. In the elements and principles of design, gradiation refers to the uses of various tones to create a visual movement in a creation. Using dark on one side and moving to lighter on the other creates this principle.

Repetition. Simplistically, this piece of the elements and principles of design refers to repeating the same design or shape over and over.

Contrast. Often seen in room decorating, contrast is the use of opposite colors to brighten or darken a space.

Harmony. This piece of the elements and principles of design calls for all the pieces in the work to match or contrast on some level as to be pleasant to the eye.

Dominance. This principle is used to create a focal point in a painting or room. It's the object that is first noticed.

Unity. This final piece of the elements and principles of design calls for a common theme throughout the work. A Medieval period painting should not have an automobile driving down the road or an Artic fox on the beach in the South Seas.

Using the elements and principles of design can turn the lay painter into an artist or the beginning home owner into an interior decorator. They are the concepts that make the world of art and living a more pleasant experience for the population as a whole. Not all of these pieces are used in every situation, but a combination of many are.