Elements of Design Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is design?
Design is a process for creating solutions to tricky problems
Compare between analytical thinking and design thinking.
Analytical thinking starts with a problem and seeks to understand it fully by breaking the situation into consistent parts and examining the present in the context of past events. There is a gap between what it is and what it should be and it also asks “is it true?”
Design thinking starts with a solution and seeks to make it more effective by putting together elements to find the best combination. It tries to create the future using the concept of the present. There is a gap between what it is and what it could be and it also asks “will it work?”
What are novice designers more inclined to do?
Novice designers tend to overestimate subjective opinion and importance of creativity and underestimate objective criteria and user needs.
What are the elements of design?
The elements of design are hands on tools which can be manipulated including; space, line, form, shape, texture, color, and pattern.
Define space.
Space is the three dimensional expanse that a designer is working with.
What can you do to help a small area feel more spacious?
Allow for large open areas and empty space
Use mirrors, small prints, patterns, textures, and light, cool colors
Allow as much floor to show as possible
Place large pieces of furniture near walls
Furniture should be up off the floor and not bulky
What should a designer do to make a large area feel intimate?
Place furniture perpendicular to walls
Group furniture according to areas of activity
Use large furniture that sits directly on the floor
What is a line?
A line is long and narrow, connecting two points leading the eye from one point to the other.
Name and describe the four types of lines.
The four types of lines are vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and curved.
A vertical line lends dignity and formality, creating feelings of aspiration and ascension.
A horizontal line is informal and makes you feel restful and relaxed.
A diagonal line is active and suggests movement.
When a curved line is upward, it lifts and inspires.
When a curved line is downward, it evokes seriousness and sadness.
When a curved line is horizontal, it is relaxed, denoting gentleness and femininity.
When a curved line is small, it is playful.
What is shape?
Shape is two dimensional and is made by connecting lines such as circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, ovals, and diamonds.
What is form?
Form is three dimensional shape and it encloses space like spheres and cylinders.
What is texture?
Texture is the surface quality of an object or item. It is split into two categories: tactile and visual.
Tactile texture refers to how the object feels to the touch. People can feel the variation in the surface of tactile texture.
Visual texture is an illusion or how the object appears to feel.
It is applied using line, color, & shading.
Rough texture absorbs more light and appears darker. Smooth texture reflects light making it more intense
What are the types of texture?
Smooth texture makes colors appear lighter and brighter and i generally considered more formal.
Shiny texture is reflective and has more intense color.
Rough texture makes color look darker and less intense and is generally considered less formal.
What is color?
Color is reflected light and is the most important element that creates the most impact.
What is value?
Value is the relative lightness or darkness of a color. To tint something means to make it lighter and to shade something means to make it darker
What is pattern?
Pattern is the repetition of line, shape, form, texture and/or color. It reflects the mood of the elements used and can be formal, informal, calm, playful.
What are the principles of design?
The principles of design are unity, balance, contrast, rhythm, movement, proportion, and scale
Define proportion and scale.
Proportion and scale are comparative relationships between elements in a design with respect to size
Define emphasis?
Emphasis is the feature that attracts the eye like a focal point and can be achieved through color, shape, size, and line.
What is contrast?
Contrast is a noticeable difference and can be created with proportion, scale, shape, color, texture, etc.
What is rhythm?
Rhythm is the repeated use of line, color, shape, texture or pattern and the types are regular, graduated, and random
How can we achieve unity?
Unity is achieved through the consistent use of color, line, material, and texture within a design
What is movement?
Movement is the flow or feeling of action
What is balance?
Balance is parts of design equally distributed to create a sense of stability. Both physical and visual balance exist. The types of balance include: symmetrical or formal balance, asymmetrical or informal balance, radial balance, vertical balance, horizontal balance.
