Empowerment of Technology: Lesson 1-Elements and Principles of Design

The Elements of Design
POINT, LINE, & SPACE
Point, line, and space are some of the basic elements of design that have limited form. The way by which these are used, especially when combined with other elements, affects the overall perception of any communication. A single design element or a combination of them can help in Interpreting the message of a drawing or design. 

• A point is simply a dot. A point establishes a position and acts as a visual focus. In a blank page, a single point immediately attracts and focuses the eye. Several graphical points can make up a line and each point of a set of them contributes to suggest the corner of a shape
• A line is created by connecting two or more points. It begins by extending one point towards a specific direction. A line can work with other lines to create an illusion of distance, space and depth. It can be straight, curved. heavy, slim, dashed or dotted. A line can be used to divide a space, direct the eye to a direction or two, and also to outline or define figures. Like in the example presented in this lesson, certain lines can be placed in such way that they work together to resemble an object or illustrate an action. Lines placed closer to an area's edge, for example, will direct the eye along the path they create
  The simplicity, complexity, elegance, and form of line is called contour. Contour is also the outline of the exterior edges of a shape. A plain contour has a clean, connected line. It may have line textures or be contrasted with different designs or styles.
  The straight line can separate content and elements in the page layout of a magazine, newspaper, and even a website. The use of curved, dotted, and zigzagged lines can define or emphasize a unique part of the layout. Virtual lines, such as the ones suggested by the flow of text, also affect layout in a similar manner.
  The straight line can separate content and elements in the page layout of a magazine, newspaper, and even a website. The use of curved, dotted, and zigzagged lines can define or emphasize a unique part of the layout. Virtual lines, such as the ones suggested by the flow of text, also affect layout in a similar manner.
  
• Space, or area, refers to the surface that acts as a visual container, drawing attention to other visual elements in a layout. Graphic designers use space as a means of defining the format and proportion in a layout. Empty areas, or white spaces, can create spatial energy within a design, and directs the eye from one part to another.
  With the current state of print, broadcast, and web media, designers of brochures, catalogues, and promotional print materials always consider the effects of size, format, content, and surface quality on the printout.

SHAPE

The shape is an element of design which is a combination of lines points, and space which can be two- or three-dimensional). An object that has height and width has shape. A shape is mainly used in a drawing to represent a real object, symbolize an abstract thought, or define an artistic design. Using shapes accordingly can help define the mood of the graphic design. Softly-curved and rounded shapes are seen differently from sharp, angled shapes. Unusual shapes can be used to attract attention.

There are 3 basic types of shapes: geometric, natural, and abstract. Geometric shapes include the triangle, square, rectangle, and circle. Natural shapes are formed from natural things like animals and plants. Shapes such as leaf and apple are examples of standardized natural shapes used by artists. Abstract shapes, such as icons, stylized figures, and graphic illustrations, are really modified types of natural shapes.

COLOR

Color is another element of design that can be associated with any other element. All color comes from pure light. A color is produced by an object that reflects light. The computer monitor is one source of artificial light which is directly transmitted to the viewer's eyes.
Color can produce dramatic changes in a design when it is used to emphasize things or create images. When used properly, each color can produce creative and unique effects. Designs on the web and other publications apply color themes that are limited to a particular output to produce a unified effect. The use of color for decoration, symbolism, expression, and communication is part of human nature.

The properties of color are the following:

• Indicate where the eye should look first
• Pinpoint the important elements such as headlines and subheads
• Unify a design
• Consolidate information
• Isolate or group elements together
• Arouse emotions
• Make an image or object stand out within the design

All data that constructs computer imagery is digital. Monitors need a method where colors in the spectrum can be simulated quickly. The common method displays only the three primary colors, red, green, and blue (RGB). When combined in the screen (a grid of pixels), white light is produced. By using all 256 intensity levels of each of the primary colors to display each pixel, one will arrive at a total of 6. 7 million colors (256 x 256 x 256). This is good if the intention is simply to view the colors on a screen. However, information often needs to be relayed via print, and the colors on a screen do not always display accurately in print since inked colors are seen by the viewers through the reflection of light from the printed surface. Ink colors are seen by the viewers by virtue of light reflected off the printed surface, which is why the colored printing process applies a color model that uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and the key color (black) (CMYK).

SIZE 

Size refers to how large or small something is in a document. Size is very important in making the elements of a document coincide with one another and makes the layout more attractive and organized. It displays what is most important, attracts attention, and helps to fit the layout. Size makes all things easy to see. It establishes a consistent look throughout a printed publication or web page document


TEXTURE

The look or feel of a surface is known as texture. Visual texture creates an illusion of texture on a printed material or webpage. Printed patterns are a type of visual texture. Tactile texture can be felt physically. Nowadays, even paper can come in various textures. The wide selection of textures used on paper and other materials can be translated accurately into rich, layered graphics

The Principles of Design

BALANCE

The two kinds of balance are symmetrical balance and asymmetrical balance. Symmetrical balance is the even distribution of elements in a design. Asymmetrical balance is the uneven arrangement of elements such that one side of a design has more weight. Color, value, size, shape, and texture can be used as balancing elements.
Balance refers to the equal distribution of weight, which, m design, applies to visual height. Elements such as size, lightness, and thickness can be scaled accordingly in a design.

CONTRAST

Contrast is the placement of heavy and light elements within a page. The larger, darker elements appear heavier in the designs than smaller and lighter elements.

This is the difference in value of the colors black and white, between distinct shapes like the square and the circle, or between a big and small element. In texture, contrast is defined by the roughness or smoothness of things in a layout.

EMPHASIS

Emphasis is the distribution of heavy and light elements in a design. It determines which elements within the design are focused on the most and which ones are given less attention.

RHYTHM
Rhythm is the repetition of one or more elements in a design. It creates a mood are: sense of movement. Variety in repeated elements makes the rhythm of a design more exciting.

UNITY

Unity refers to the feeling of harmony that_ is created by all the parts and element of a design. When a particular design is said to be unified, it means that a sense completeness can be felt from the work.