1. Elements and Principles of Design

2. The elements of design are the building blocks used to create an artwork. The principles are ideas that incorporate the elements. They apply to all artwork, whether it is two-dimensional or three-dimensional. They work together to create a unified whole, a specific message, and a visually exciting artwork.

3. A line connects two points and may be 2-D as drawn on paper,

4. 3-D as in a wire sculpture.

5. Line describes contours (edges), gestures, shows structure, or may be decorative. There are infinite varieties of line.

7. Lines communicate emotion through character and direction. Horizontal lines suggest quiet and stability.

8. Vertical lines convey a feeling of loftiness and spirituality.

9. Diagonal lines suggest movement, direction and depth.

10. Shape encloses an area. Geometric shapes are based on mathematical constructions such as squares, triangles and circles. Organic shapes have an irregular outline.

15. Value is the range between lightness or darkness. Value gives volume and depth to shapes.

18. Color is the most direct way we see all the other principles and is the most expressive. Colors are formed by reflections of different wavelengths of light and change according to their surroundings.

24. Texture is the surface quality that describes how something feels. It can be actual as in a surface you can touch,

25. or implied as in a drawing.

26. The principles of design

27. Unity gives an artwork a sense that everything belongs together. There is a visual connection that is not created by chance. The whole is more important than the parts. You see the whole image first, then notice the parts.

31. Emphasis or Focal Point draws your eye to something and leads it around the rest of the work. Something in the composition is dominant, but is supported by the other elements. It makes a work interesting and not confusing.

33. Balance is an equal arrangement of objects or colors in a work of art.

34. A lack of balance is disturbing.

36. Symmetrical

38. Asymmetrical

39. Radial

40. Scale or Proportion refers to the relative size of objects in the composition

43. Pattern is achieved by repetition of lines, shapes or colors. It can be used to decorate or to make things recognizable.

47. Contrast draws attention by creating tension between opposites such as light and dark or big and small.

50. Rhythm is also based on repetition. It creates a flow and helps move the viewer’s eye around the page.

55. Composition is a pleasing arrangement of objects on the page.

56. A medium is the tool used by an artist. Media is the plural.

59. Ambigram