Basic Elements of Design
1. Line
The first and most important, basic element of the design is that of the line. In the drawing, a line is the stroke of the pen or pencil but in graphic design, it’s any two connected points. Lines are useful for dividing space and drawing the eye to a specific location. For example, think about how a magazine uses lines to separate content, headlines and side panels.
2. Color
Color is one of the most obvious elements of design, It can give emphasis, it can be used as a mechanism of the organization, it can create impact and create a specific look and feel in a piece of graphic design work.
It can stand alone, as a background, or be applied to other elements, like lines, shapes, textures or typography.
3. Shape
We typically think of a shape as a closed contour. So, if you take a line and enclose it, then you will have created a shape. Shapes can play important roles in the creation of art. They help to create complex drawings and paintings, affect the composition, and contribute to the balance within a work.
geometric or organic, add interest. Shapes are defined by boundaries, such as a line or color, and they are often used to emphasize a portion of the page. Everything is ultimately a shape, so you must always think in terms of how the various elements of your design are creating shapes, and how those shapes are interacting.
4. Space
Negative space is one of the most commonly underutilized and misunderstood aspects of designing for the page
White space is the area between design elements. It is also the space within individual design elements, including the space between typography glyphs
Despite its name, white space does not need to be white. It can be any color, texture, pattern, or even a background image.
5. Typography
Perhaps the single most important part of graphic and web design is typography. Like color, texture, and shapes, the fonts you use tell readers you’re a serious online news magazine, a playful food blog or a vintage tea tins shop. Words are important, but the style of the words is equally essential.
6. Texture
Texture refers to the way an object feels to the touch or looks as it may feel if it were touched. Websites and graphic design do rely on the look and impression of texture on the screen, however. Textures can create a more three-dimensional appearance on this two-dimensional surface. It also helps build an immersive world.
Texture — an element of art that refers to the way an object feels to the touch or looks as it may feel.
3-D Texture — refers to the way an object feels to the touch 2-D Texture- refers to the way an object looks as it may feel
Visual texture — the illusion of a 3-D surface Simulated- imitate real textures
Invented — 2-D patterns created by the repetition of lines of shapes
Rough textures — reflect light unevenly
Smooth textures — reflect light evenly
Matte — a surface that reflects soft, dull light. Shiny surfaces are the opposite of matte.
Impasto — a painting technique in which the paint is built upon the surface to create a texture
7. Scale
Scale refers to the relative size of a design element in comparison to another element.
As designer Steven Bradley wrote, “A single object has no scale until it’s seen in comparison with something else.”
Playing with the scale and size of your objects, shapes, type, and other elements add interest and emphasis. How boring would a symmetrical website with all similarly sized ingredients be? Very. But the amount of variation will depend heavily on the content within. Subtle differences suit professional content, while bold ones prefer creative enterprises.
8. Balance
There are two schools of balance: symmetry and asymmetry. While most designers, artists, and creative folks much prefer asymmetry for its eye-catching nature, symmetry does have its place.
9. Harmony
Harmony is “The main goal of graphic design,” according to Alex White, author of “The Elements of Graphic Design.”
So, you know it must be important. Harmony is what you get when all the pieces work together. Nothing should be superfluous. Great design is just enough and never too much. Make sure all the details accord with one another before you consider the project complete.
There are hundreds of rules and many more principles when it comes to creating beautiful designs on and off the web, but these ten are the basic essentials that will ensure anything you create is appealing, professional and perfect.
