Podcast #1 Elements of Design

What does it take to create good graphic design?

~ More than a computer, requires an understanding of principles of Graphic design

What is the difference between elements and principles?

~ Elements are the things you add to a design and principles tell us how to organize elements.

Name the six (6) elements of design.

~ Line

~ Shape or Form

~ Space

~ Texture

~ Value

~ Color

What can lines aid in, when alone or combined with  other lines or shapes?

~ The readability, appearance, and message of a design

Which lines suggest a feeling of rest? Why do you think?

~ Horizontal lines; because they are flat, like the ground

Vertical lines communicate a feeling of what? Why do you think?

~ Loftiness; because they seem to tower over things

What lines suggest a feeling of movement? Why do you think?

~ Diagonal lines; because they seem unstable, in relation to gravity

Soft, shallow curved lines suggest what? Why do you think?

~ Comfort, because they seem smooth and calming

These lines suggest confusion and turbulence? Why do you think?

~ Deep and accute; yes, because they are like violent waves in a storm

What element defines a specific area of space?

~ Shapes

What is the difference between two dimensional shapes and three dimensional shapes?

~ A two dimensional shape has width and height and a three dimensional shape has depth too.

Describe the difference between geometric shapes and organic shapes?

~ Geometrical shapes are structures and often symmetrical shapes; organic shapes are found in nature and are often irrefular and fluid

What are abstract shapes?

~ Shapes that are stylized or simplified versions of natural shapes

Which basic shape projects an attitude of honesty or equality?

~ Square

What do triangles suggest?

~ Action; as well as stability, if it is a pyramid

Circles convey feelings of what?

~ Protection or infinity

Describe positive space and negative space?

~ Positive Space: refers to the object and elements used in a design; the area which contains all of the elements you have added to your design; may include text, graphics, photos, lines, or shapes

~ Negative Space: referes to the shapes around or between those elements and objects; it is also known as white space and it gives a place for the eye to rest, which is needed inorder for the message you are trying to communicate be absorbed; visual cue that there’s a break in the content or the content is finished

What is texture?

~ Refered to the actual surface of a design with the reader actually being able to feel the texture of the paper and materials in the printed design

Incorporating texture into a design can help do what?

~ Give the illusion of texture in a two dimensional design

What is value?

~ The degree of light and dark in a design; the contrast of black and white and all the tones in between; can be used with color as well as black and white; gives objects depth, creating spacial illusions

What is another name for value?

~ Tone

What can the element of color do when incorporated into a design?

~ Conveys moods, can create images, attract attention, and identify objects