ART 161

2-Dimensional Design

Art Elements:

1. line

2. shape

3. value (dark/light/medium)

4. color

5. texture

6. space (flat/3D illusion/surface or medium presented)

Visual Unity

• repetition (of any element)

• continuation (of an edge or line flow)

• proximity (overlap or juxtaposition of elements)

Focal Points:  areas of visual emphasis.

• isolation -- set apart from the group.

• contrast -- an element that breaks the pattern.

• placement -- something points or directs attention to.

Principles of Composition

1. Visual Unity -- how elements fit together, sense or harmony.

2. Focal Point --areas of visual emphasis, attracts the eye.

3. Compositional balance -- visual weight

4. Rhythm -- how the eye moves across the surface

5. Motion -- non static, active/dynamic

6. Scale and proportion -- size and relationship to other parts

No focal point = unstressed repetition of value (pattern, shape, etc.).  Found in wallpaper, wrapping paper, clothing, tile, etc.  Usually art post 1945.

Natural shape:  Made to represent or imitate something found in nature.

Abstract Shape:  An abstraction is a visual representation that may have little resemblance to the real world.  Abstraction can occur through a process of simplification or distortion in an attempt to communicate an essential aspect of a form or concept.

Non-objective shape:  Does not relate to persons, places, or things.  Consists of lines, triangles, and squiggles.  Meant to free the mind from the associations made by recognizing certain shapes as symbols and other preconceived notions.

Gestalt:  A unified configuration or pattern of visual elements whose properties cannot be derived from a simple summation of its parts.

Assemblage:  An assembly of found objects composed as a piece of sculpture.

Contrast:  One element differs from the other in the composition.  Whatever interrupts an overall feeling or pattern automatically attracts the eye by this difference.

Isolation:  an element sits apart from other elements in the composition.  It becomes a focal point due to its detached position.

Placement:  many elements point to and/or direct our attention to another element thus making it a focal point.

No Focal Point:  there is an unstressed repetition of elements, thus there are no focal points, no areas of visual emphasis.  The artist emphasizes the entire surface of the composition over any individual elements.

Compiled and Archived

01.15.01