Basic Elements of Design
If you had to define art, how would you do it? Since it is a beautiful and creative display of one's emotions or state of mind, art can only have an abstract definition. There are many designs which are like tributaries of this visual display, named art. These designs are the compilations of different shapes, colors and other attractive patterns which prove appealing to the eyes. This is where the basic elements of design come literally into the "picture". Art is displayed through these elements of art and it is because of them, that the various styles and genres of art are appreciated across the world. It is considered as the language of the mind and soul which has a different interpretation from the eyes of each individual. These elements of art are used in interior designing as well as graphic designing, in the contemporary world. Take a look at these wonderful elements from the paragraphs mentioned below.
The Elements Of Design
It is rightly said that "A picture is worth a thousand words", and such is the magic of art. Shapes and colors can explain things that words can't, thus making them a very important part of our lives. Art is required by each one of us in every phase of life, i.e. in our homes and our professions. It makes many complicated discussions very easy to explain and understand. Therefore, designs are used for constructing homes and offices as well as for beautifying them. To give you a clearer idea, take a look at the information on these basic elements of interior design.
Space
The first basic element required in any form of art or to create any design is the space. It is the area which is used for creating the desired design. The space constitutes three basic dimensions, the length, width and height, where any two of the dimensions are used at one time. As an addition to the space, an "illusion of depth" can be created by using the other elements of design.
Color
Colors are an important part in every design, as they give the design its identity. The colors used in art are not limited to the reflection or refraction of light, but are real paint colors and shades used to make the design attractive. There are three types of colors used to make individual parts of the design, or the whole piece of art attractive. These are primary, secondary and tertiary colors which have further variations in them. The combination used is usually contrasting, to make the design appealing. One of the sub elements included in color is the "value", which defines the difference between the lightness and darkness of a shade.
Line
When we start with any design, there is a beginning to it which is known as the point. This point further leads to a line which is described as the path of that point. Lines are referred to the continuous movement of these points giving rise to various shapes created from these lines. Depending on the length, direction and thickness of them, lines are considered as basic elements of graphic design. There are various forms of these lines and they are; horizontal, diagonal,vertical, wavy, parallel, zigzag.
Shape
As mentioned above, every shape that is created in any design has to start from a line. Shapes can also be created by color, value which make a difference in the visual effect of the desired shape. One of the most important principles in this element is that, the shape that you create as your design or image is known as the "positive shape", and the space around this shape is known as the "negative shape". Both these are interdependent and look incomplete without each other.
Texture
Texture is defined as that extra touch given to each design. The literal meaning of texture is the surface quality of any object like rough, smooth, hard, fuzzy, etc. Like real objects, design too have a surface quality which define their nature (extra touch). This texture is used to bring reality to the design and give a certain look to it, with the help of color, value, shapes and space. Therefore, the texture of the design in interior painting is determined when the piece of art is ready.
With these basic elements of design, hope you found out what is art made of. These are called building blocks of design because together they add life to a design and make it beautiful to look at.
