Elements of Design
Color, Line, Shape, Texture.
Color
Certain colors in designs can show different moods to who is viewing it.
Complementary Colors
Colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel. These colors go good together.
Hue
A color and what it is named. Hues can be changed into many colors with different saturations and brightnesses.
Saturation
Amount of a color (dark or light, more or less)
Brightness
How bright or dark a color looks. Adding black or white will change it.
Lines
These give the design a direction, action and definition. The types are vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or curved. Diagonal show interest.
Shape
The structure of an object where lines are closed. The three basic types are circles, squares, and triangles.
Texture
Add illusion and depth by using dots, lines, and colors.
Principals of Design
Proportion, Balance, Rhythm, Emphasis, Unity/ Harmony
Proportion
Correlation among different parts of the design regarding their size.
Balance
The way the design is arranged (horizontally or vertically).
Formal Balance
Design that is the same on both sides. (Symmetrical)
Informal Balance
Design that is not the same on both sides but is still balanced. (Asymmetrical)
Rhythm
When lines, colors, and shapes repeat to create movement in a design.
Emphasis
The main focal point of a design.
Unity/Harmony
When all elements and principals of design look like they go together.
Digital Graphics
Any design that is made or changed by a computer.
Bitmap Graphics
Use pixels that have colors and are not clear when zoomed in. RASTER GRAPHICS.
Vector Graphics
Uses math the define parts and are still clear when zoomed in. Best for printing large graphics.
Resolution
The clarity of Bitmap/Raster images.
Low Resolution
Blurry and small file size.
High Resolution
Clear and large file size.
Color Mode
The mode an image uses to display on a screen/in print.
Black and White
Uses only black and white (no in between)
Grayscale
Uses black, white, and in between.
True Color
All combinations of color used.
RGB (Red Green Blue)
Best for viewing on screen.
CMYK (Cyan Yellow Magenta Black)
Best for printing.
Color Depth
Number of colors a graphic displays.