Elements of Art & Design Notes

~What is Graphic Design~
- art & design elements are basic units of a visual image
- principles of design govern 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 but its visual components & the principles that guide them
~ELEMENTS~
SPACE
-can exist in two or three dimensions
-can refer to positive or negative space
-can refer to foreground, mid or background elements
LINE
-basic element that can vary in thickness, texture, & direction
COLOUR
-can evoke psychological affects
-ex. bright colours indicate excitement & red, brown & yellow indicate an appetite
SHAPE
-organic, geometric, abstract
-used to identify certain characters and objects
-more difficult to do with people
TEXTURE
- created through layering & value
- either real or implied
-adds depth and quality to work
VALUE
- adds dimension to something
-gives illusion of depth
-value and texture can be close in execution
BALANCE
- 4 types = balanced, unbalanced, symmetrical & assymmetrical
- a sense of visual weight
~PRINCIPALS~
UNITY
-creates a sense of order, or a consistency of size and shape
-can create or show a lack of unity
VARIETY
-idea of similar, yet different components within elements
REPETITION
-repeat elements within a design
HARMONY
-similar elements being used and repeated in an aesthetically pleasing fashion
PROXIMITY
-change of distance between element
-used to guide how we use space
- control emphasis through proximity
PROPORTION
-change of scale
-used to create visual illusions, depth & space
-can also change perception
-golden spiral/fibonacci sequence = breaks things down into thirds
-rule of thirds = more pleasing
  -ex. landscape photographers using upper thirds for horizon line
EMPHASIS (Focal Point)
-use elements (colour, shape, line, etc.) to create emphasis
-many fail to achieve this
FUNCTIONALITY
-"Don't make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don't hesitate to make it beautiful."