Digital Principal Design Notes

Design :The Principles and elements

People ignore design that ignores people.

--Frank Chimero

What is design?

• Design elements are the basic units of a visual image
• The principles of design govern the relationships of the element used and organize the composition as a whole

Design Element

• Space
• Line
• Color
• Shape
• Texture
• Value

Space:

• can exist in two dimensions
• can exist in three dimensions
• can refer to a positive space( a shape, such as a chair)
• can refer to a negative space( the absence of a chair)
• can refer to foreground, mid, or background of an image.

Line: Refers to a continuous movement of a point along a surface, such as a pencil or brush. Can be vary length, direction, thickness.

Color:

• can be used to draw your eyes to certain image
• draw out your emotion
• etc.

Shape:

• can be organic( soft, random, curved)
• shape are what give objects their definition
• can be geometric (angular, sharp, complex)

Texture:

• perceived surface quality
• two type: tactile, implied

Volume

• refer to light and dark areas
• refer to tone or shading
• it give form and depth.

Design Principles

• Unity
• Variety
• Repetition
• Harmony
• Contrast
• Proximity
• Functionality

Unity: refers to a sense that everything in a piece of belongs.

Variety: The use of dissimilar elements. Different in shape, texture, color, etc.

Repetition:

• refers to recurrence of elements within a piece
• color, lines, shapes, and other can be echoed
• can be random or organized or rhythm or pattern

Proportion: Invade a lot. Relationship between objects.

Harmony:

• balance of unity and variety
• In color, use complementary or analogous
• In design is reflected in consistency in style

Contrast: the occurrence of different elements

Proximity: the physical placement of the object or elements.

Functionality: design is created for a purpose. Good design must be aesthetically pleasing as well as informative.