Elements of Design

1. Elements of Design

2. Line • Encloses a space • Defines the outline of an area or space (Silhouette) • Picture the Types of Line in Terms of Music • Horizontal – Adds width & weight (Tubas – A Sousa March) • Vertical – Adds height & slenderizes (Piccolos – Light & Airy) • Diagonal – Most flattering of all lines (Strings – Sweeping motion) • Practice -- • Look at trees and bushes -- identify them through their silhouette • Study objects in terms of basic shapes (outlines) • View architecture in terms of horizontal, vertical or diagonal

3. Shape • Gives Line its 3-Dimensional Quality • Chiaroscuro – Creating roundness through highlight & shadow • Defines the light source • Perspective is a direct result and a direct influence • Practice – • Draw simple objects – Use shadow to create 3-dimensional form • Create simple sketches using perspective to create depth

4. Color • Considered the most powerful of the elements -- appeals to the emotions • Depicts the mood • Identifies relationships (Franco Zef’sRomeo & Juliet) • Practice – • Look at Magazine Ads – notice how color is used to direct attention and create a desired feeling / emotion • Watch characters in various television shows and/or movies – note how color is used to show mood, social class, relationships, etc. • Study various theories of color & mood associations

5. Texture • Creates an understanding of how an object appears to feel • Practice – • Furniture, Bedding & Clothing Advertisements – utilize texture as a primary appeal element • Think about how commercials use “tactile” terms to reach audiences

6. Movement • Associated with “the movement of the eye through a space” and “the energy created by the use of the other elements” • Even though it can be seen and analyzed, it is the hardest of the elements to think of in concrete terms. • Practice – • Study famous paintings – note how your eye is directed to look where the artist wants you to look. • Note how line, color & texture in clothing create various kinds of energy

7. Elements of Design ProjectAssignment

8. You know that theatre design is based on 5 basic elements: Line, Shape, Color, Texture and Movement. In this mini-project assignment you are going to demonstrate your understanding of those elements.Materials needed:* Old Magazines* Plain White Paper* Tape or GlueEach of the following aspects is to be completed as a separate entity unto itself. In other words, do not mix the elements up. Each aspect should identify or demonstrate only one element.Each aspect of this mini-project will be graded as a separate assignment and should be submitted as such with the student’s name and class period clearly written on the top of each page or set of pages for that aspect. Do not staple the five aspects of this project together.

9. Aspect I: LineUsing pictures from advertisements in old magazines, collect at least 20 different examples of how line is used in the ad to create focus or interest. Look for VARIETY. Each picture should be large enough to clearly show the element you are pointing out. Neatly glue or tape each picture to your sheet(s) of white paper and label what type of line is dominant in the picture… i.e. horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved. Do no attach pictures with staples.

10. Aspect II: Shape (Form) Using pictures from advertisements in old magazines, collect at least 20 different examples of how shape and form are demonstrated in the ad giving it a three-dimensional quality. Look for VARIETY. Each picture should be large enough to clearly show the element you are pointing out. Neatly glue or tape each picture to your sheet(s) of white paper. Do no attach pictures with staples.

11. Aspect III: Color Using pictures from advertisements in old magazines, collect at least 20 different examples of how color is used in the ad to create focus or interest. Look for VARIETY. Each picture should be large enough to clearly show the element you are pointing out. Neatly glue or tape each picture to your sheet(s) of white paper and label the picture with a word or two to describe the mood, feeling or emotion that is created by the use of color. Do no attach pictures with staples.

12. Aspect IV: Texture Using pictures from advertisements in old magazines, collect at least 20 different examples of how texture is used in the ad to create a sense of how the object feels. Look for VARIETY. Each picture should be large enough to clearly show the element you are pointing out. Neatly glue or tape each picture to your sheet(s) of white paper. Do no attach pictures with staples.

13. Aspect V: Movement Using pictures from advertisements in old magazines, collect at least 20 different examples of how the element of movement is apparent in the ad. Look for VARIETY. Each picture should be large enough to clearly show the element you are pointing out. Neatly glue or tape each picture to your sheet(s) of white paper and label each picture with a word or two to describe the feeling the movement demonstrated evokes. Do no attach pictures with staples.

14. Grading -- Each aspect of this mini-project will be graded on the following scale: Neatness 40% Understanding of Elements 10% Variety 30% Completeness 20%