Elements & Principles Of Graphic Design - 7efex

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Elements & Principlesof Graphic DesignCollege of the Canyons

In addition to the obvious elements—imagesand type—graphic design elements includelines, shapes, texture, value, size, and color.Basic ElementsGraphic designers for print and web pages usesome or all of these elements to generateeffective designs. The goal is usually to attractthe viewers’ attention, sometimes to motivatethem to take a specific action.

LinesLines are the most basic of the design elements. Lines can be straight, curved,thick, thin, solid and not- solid. They are used to connect two points, separatesections of a design or focus the user's eye on an element. A jagged line conveys emotion a line that ends in arrow forces the viewer's eye to look in aspecific direction A line that meanders among several elements guides the viewerfrom one element to the next and on to the next.

ShapesThe basic geometric shapes are squares, circles, and triangles. They are usedas boxes or borders on a design or as solid shapes for decorative purposes.Shapes are also icons, symbols, and dingbats. Shapes add interest to a design.

TextureVisual texture is created with certain graphics techniques to draw attention to anelement on a page or to serve as a background on a web design. Texture increasesthe overall visual appearance and draws attention. Texture can be added to a type,images, and other elements.

ColorColor is an obvious element that is used to attract attention and to representemotion and mood. Red presents strength, anger or passion, for example,while blue invokes peace and security.

ValueValue refers to how dark or light an area of the design looks. Value createscontrast and emphasis.

SizeThe size of an element in a graphic design is an indication of itsimportance. A large size indicates the most important information anddraws the viewer's attention.

The elements of graphic design combine with theprinciples of alignment, balance, repetition,proximity, contrast, and space to create effectivepage compositions.Basic PrinciplesPrinciples of graphic design address ways in whicha graphic designer can assemble the individualelements into a cohesive whole. Designers draw theviewer's attention to an important element byplacing the important element in the place wherethe eye naturally falls.

BalanceMost good graphic designs achieve visual balance by using symmetrical,asymmetrical or radial symmetry about a visual center. Symmetrical Balance: Both sides of a page layout are the same in weight,shape, lines and other elements. Asymmetrical Balance: This occurs when the two sides of a design aren't thesame but they have similar elements. Radial Symmetry: This places elements in a circular pattern. Although it ispopular in print layouts, radial symmetry isn't seen n much on websites becausethe circular placements are difficult to achieve.

SymmetricalAsymmetricalRadial

AlignmentAlignment refers to lining up the elements of a design along the top, bottom, center orsides of the elements. The aligned elements aren't necessarily of the same type. Theyare frequently aligned along the left edge of the layout. Different size photos appearas a unit when they are aligned across the top or the bottom.

RepetitionRepetition duplicates the characteristics of similar elements to contribute to designconsistency. Repetition can also create rhythm in a design. A series of bulleted pointsof interest in the same color, type and size for a complete unit.

ProximityProximity maintains a relationship between items that go together. The elements don'thave to be positioned closely together but they should be connected visually.

ContrastContrast occurs with the juxtaposition of opposing elements—big versus small ordark versus light, for example. Using contrast can highlight important elements ofthe design. Contrast is easily achieved with color, but it can also occur withtexture, type, and graphic elements.

SpaceSpace is the part of a design that is left blank. It includes empty space that isintentionally placed within the design and also margins and gutters betweenother elements, which are usually referred to as passive space. Space in a designadds emphasis to an area of the design because the eye is strongly drawn to thepart of the design that is not empty. Both positive and negative space should beconsidered in the graphic design.

Bad Space

Bad Space

Basic Elements In addition to the obvious elements—images and type—graphic design elements include lines, shapes, texture, value, size, and color. Graphic designers for print and web pages use so