Creative Photography 1: January 2015

Elements of Art & Design

Line: An element of art defined by a point moving in space. Line may be two-or three-dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract.

Shape: An element of art that is two-dimensional, flat, or limited to height and width.

Form: An element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume; includes height, width AND depth (as in a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, or a cylinder). Form may also be free flowing.

Value: The lightness or darkness of tones or colors. White is the lightest value; black is the darkest. The value halfway

between these extremes is called middle gray.
Space: An element of art by which positive and negative areas are defined or a sense of depth achieved in a work of art .

Color: An element of art made up of three properties: hue, value and intensity.
• Hue: name of color
• Value: hue’s lightness and darkness (a color’s value
changes when white or black is added)
• Intensity: quality of brightness and purity (high
intensity= color is strong and bright; low intensity=
color is faint and dull)

Texture: An element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if they might feel if touched.

Principles of Art & Design

Rhythm: A principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.

Balance: A way of combining elements to add a feeling of
equilibrium or stability to a work of art. Major types are
symmetrical and asymmetrical.

Emphasis (Contrast):
A way of combining elements to stress the differences
between those elements.

Proportion: A principle of design that refers to the relationship of certain elements to the whole and to each other.

Gradation: A way of combining elements by using a series of gradual changes in those elements. (large shapes to small shapes, dark hue to light hue, etc)

Harmony: A way of combining similar elements in an artwork to accent their similarities (achieved through use of repetitions and subtle gradual changes)

Variety: A principle of design concerned with diversity or
contrast. Variety is achieved by using different shapes,
sizes, and/or colors in a work of art.

Movement: A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.

Unity (Gestalt): Unity creates an integrated image in which all the elements are working together to support the design as a whole. A unified design is greater than the sum of its parts.