What impact do they have?Don’t just look at subject matter…look for these

too!

Design elements and principles describe fundamental ideas about the practice of good visual design.

Awareness of the elements and principles in design is the first step in creating successful visual compositions. These principles, which may overlap, are used in all visual design fields, including graphic design, industrial design, architecture and fine art.

Design is the organized arrangement of one or more elements and principles (e.g. line color or texture) for a purpose.

Line, Shape, Colour, Texture, Depth, Tone (value), Light, Positive and Negative space

Design elements are the basic units of a visual image… (the basic things that can be seen and stand out)

These are like the “ingredients” of a photo.The elements are components of your photos which can be isolated and defined. They are the structure of the work, and can carry a wide

variety of messages.

Color -Colour may be the element which has the strongest effect on the viewer.  The mood and emotional response to a work are mainly communicated through colour and value.

A shape is a self-contained defined area of geometric or organic form.  Positive shapes in Art automatically create negative shapes.

Texture - surface qualities which translate into tactile illusions

Line - the visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece

Light-the radiance or illumination from a particular source

Tone (value) - Shading used to emphasize form

Depth –The property of appearing three-dimensional.

Space - the space taken up by (positive) or in between (negative) objects

Line - the visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece

Shape - areas defined by edges within the piece, whether geometric or organic

Color - hues with their various values and intensities

Texture - surface qualities which translate into tactile illusions

Depth –The property of appearing three-dimensional.

Light-the radiance or illumination from a particular source

Tone (value) - Shading used to emphasize form Space - the space taken up by (positive) or in

between (negative) objects

Balance (symmetrical and asymmetrical) , Emphasis, Repetition (pattern), Contrast, Harmony, Unity

The principles of design govern the relationships of the elements used and organize the composition as a whole. These are, in a sense, the rules or the recipe of the photo.

Balance can be symmetrical ("formal"), where elements are given equal "weight" from an imaginary line in the middle of a piece. For the most basic example of symmetry, think of your eyes in relation to either side of your nose.

Asymmetrical ("informal") balance occurs when elements are placed unevenly in a piece, but work together to produce harmony overall.

Contrast is the occurrence of differing elements, such as color, value, size, etc. It creates interest and pulls the attention toward the focal point

Repetition (pattern) The recurrence of elements within a piece: colors, lines, shapes, values, etc. Any element that occurs is generally echoed, often with some variation to maintain interest.

Harmony is achieved through the sensitive balance of variety and unity. Color harmony may be achieved using complementary or analogous colors. Harmony in design is similarity of components or objects looking like these belong together. Harmony may be visually pleasing and harmony is when some of the objects share a common trait. A common trait between objects could be: colour, shape, texture, pattern, or theme.

Unity refers to a sense that everything in a piece of work belongs

there, and makes a whole piece. It is achieved by the use of balance, repetition and/or harmony.

Emphasis (dominance or focal point) refers to areas of interest that guides the eye into and out of the image through the use of sequence of various levels of focal points

Balance can be symmetrical ("formal"), where elements are given equal "weight" from an imaginary line in the middle of a piece. For the most basic example of symmetry, think of your eyes in relation to either side of your nose. Asymmetrical ("informal") balance occurs when elements are placed unevenly in a piece, but work together to produce harmony overall.

Emphasis (dominance or focal point) refers to areas of interest that guides the eye into and out of the image through the use of sequence of various levels of focal points

Repetition (pattern) The recurrence of elements within a piece: colors, lines, shapes,

values, etc. Any element that occurs is generally echoed, often with some variation to maintain interest.

Contrast is the occurrence of differing elements, such as color, value, size, etc. It creates interest and pulls the attention toward the focal point

Unity refers to a sense that everything in a piece of work belongs there, and makes a whole piece. It is achieved by the use of balance, repetition and/or harmony.

Harmony is achieved through the sensitive balance of variety and unity. Color harmony may be achieved using complementary or analogous colors. Harmony in design is similarity of components or objects looking like these belong together. Harmony may be visually pleasing and harmony is when some of the objects share a common trait. A common trait between objects could be: colour(s), shape(s), texture, pattern(s), or theme.