Elements and Principles of Design

I'm not certain why this fascinates me so much, but it does. In fact I notice it fascinates my DD's too. As little girls they were perfectly infatuated with "Donald Duck in Mathmagicland" - LOL. Math and the arts go hand in hand - you might find it rather odd that Math was a simple thing for me and I found it rather interesting - LOL. So much for the blonde excuse now I guess :D

The teacher in me wants to share everything I know, but the realist knows that it will take me hours to do so. Therefore I'm going to try and do this in a series perhaps, or get as much out as I can in as short a statement as possible. Thus I'd better quit jabbering and get down to it. Tonight I'm going to try and list the Elements and Principles and then I'll work my way through them as I find the time.

THE SEVEN ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Design - it's an arrangement or a way of organizing things. The elements of design are what our eyes see and then our brain decodes. These elements effect our senses - they are what we organize in design. The Elements of Design are the building blocks of your artistic creations.

1-Color - has three properties:

• hue - represents a specific color or light wavelength in the color spectrum. Red, yellow, green, blue and back to red again.
• value - lightness or darkness of a color - measured from white to black
• intensity - brightness or dullness of a color.

2-Line - boundaries or connections in your layouts. Line has many variables - size, shape, direction, position, number, and density.

3-Space - the area between and around objects on a layout. Positive AND negative space.

4-Shape - circles, squares, rectangles - if you can draw the shapes, you can draw anything Ü

5-Form - 3-d shape. Create an illusion of form in your artwork.

6-Texture - surface characteristics that you can see (visual) and feel (tactile); rough, smooth, glossy -etc.

7-Value - again the lightness or darkness of color. Artists devote years of study to this one element which creates 3-dimensions to your 2-dimensional art.

THE FIVE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

The principles of design are the tools by which you can arrange the elements of design in your layouts. It is the organization of a work of art.

1-Formal and Informal Balance - it's a physical symmetry. When the elements of design are brought together to create a sense of unity it will be more visually pleasing.

2-Emphasis/Variety - dominance - giving an object more importance than any other part of a layout creates a focal point or emphasis - a point on which to rest your eye. Variety keeps it interesting. Variety or contrast can be created by the juxtaposition of opposite elements (i.e. line - straight/curved; color-red/green) in close proximity of one another.

3-Rhythm & Movement- repetition of elements of design to create agreement. Repetition can be one element of design repeated at consistent intervals. Gradation - progression of size, color, direction - causes your eye to move around a layout.

4-Proportion - the relation of one part to another in a layout.

5-Harmony/Unity - when all objects in your layout give you a sense of oneness or the work is presented as a whole, not in separate little sections it has Unity. Harmony in music results in a pleasing tone to the ears; harmony in art results in a pleasing work to the eye.

WOW - that took me a LOT longer than I remember it taking me in the midst of my studies. I even had to drag out some of my old notes - LOL! The good news is that I will try and break down each one of these over the next while. Please let me know if you find this helpful, so that I will continue on this merry pursuit. If I don't hear anything I'll know that it's pretty boring stuff to most of you and that I'm an oddity for certain (insert big grin). OK- I'm off to get some shuteye. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Comments

[Barb]

I find this fascinating.....don't stop!

[Laurie Couture]

This is terrific, and EXACTLY what I've been looking for to help me take my stamping to some new levels. Thank you SO much, and PLEASE - keep sharing!! :-)

[Suzy]

This is great and just what I need! Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

[Carol]

Ellen, please continue this wonderful dseminar! I'm finding it very helpful.

[Silverdragoness]

I found this very interesting. Please continue. :)

[Charlee Gunderson]

Ellen, Thank you, thank you, thank you. This came along just when I was thinking that I needed to find something else to focus my attention on. I love stamping but have been dissatisfied with my work lately and felt like I was not creative in my ownself, as I needed a visual before I could start to stamp something. This will help me so much. Please keep sharing because you are helping at least one person become all that they can be.

[Elissa Rene]

Ellen, your blog is one of my favorites! You are so willing to help everyone and do it with a smile, I love reading everything you write and I find it helps me so much in my creative process! As an ex-interior design major..I find this all terribly fascinating as well! Thanks so much!

[bevie pearl]

Ellen, This will be so fun to learn from you!! Thanks for sharing your blog and your information!!

[Elsie]

What a wonderful idea! Can't wait for the next installment.

[Jocelyne Lowe]

Ellen
I can't say that I understand everything you have said, because what you are saying is a mouthful. I need to digest this slowly, as if I were a cow chewing its cud. I believe that you are breaking down many mysterious barriers that have prevented many from tapping into their creative selves. I know that this topic of color has intimidated me all my life. I never could get past its mystery long enough to attempt a quilt (an unfulfilled passion). I am sooo greatful that you have introduced me to a starting point and now I know this point begins inside of me. I don't need to search the gallery before I can sit down to make a card for someone I feel for. I can reflect on those emotions that I wish to express. I am going to have to print this out and muse over it some more. Thanks for all the hard work and passion that you put into this blog. lol Jocelyne

[Taryn Huskins]

This is exactly what I've been searching for on the net and have not been able to find. Thank you so much for sharing your expertice.

[Amber Baker]

Please keep sharing!! I am enjoying your wealth of knowledge.

[Victoria Plaugher]

Excellent information. I'm very glad you decided to put it on your blog. Please keep it coming as your busy schedule permits.

[Pat]

I share the same feelings as Silverdragoness and Jocelyne. I have always told the rest of my stamp club that I'm not creative, but I can copy anything. I never know how to lay it out, or put colors together. Just like Jocelyne, I find a sample in the gallery to follow.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise...it's priceless!

Pat

[Jill]

This is great! I have recently found that I love photography as well as stamping and these principles are so good to know for any kind of visual art. Please keep them coming.

[Toni173]

I LOVE THIS!!!

I took a color theory class about twenty-years ago, your blog certainly brings back things I had totally forgotten. By appying these princples, hopefully, it won't take me five days to make a decision about a card/layout. LOL

Thanks for the great lessons, and please keep them coming, I can't get enough. If your goal is to teach, inspire, and excite you have succeeded.

You are awesome.

Toni173