Elements of Design Blog Post

Seeing the Elements of Design

Format: Shape of the image

The building known as the Pentagon is actually a misnomer; a Pentagon is five-sided with no volume. The Pentagon building has five sides, five floors above ground, and two basement levels, making it a pentagonal prism, but that name does not really roll off the tongue. The Pentagon's distinctive five-sided shape is immediately recognizable and symmetrical. This symmetrical format creates a sense of balance and stability, and the surrounding green areas and parking lots create negative space that highlights the Pentagon's format.

Line: Leading Lines

The structure of the prison hallway creates strong leading lines that direct the viewer's eye toward the silhouette of the prisoner. The combination of vertical and horizontal lines enhances the sense of depth, making the hallway appear longer.

Shape: Framing or frame within a frame

This image of a surfer engulfed in a large wave highlights the design element known as shape, particularly the concept of framing. The most prominent shape is the wave itself, which forms a natural frame around the surfer. The wave's circular motion creates an effect that draws attention to the surfer in the center.

Value: Difference between lights and darks

There is a high contrast between the full moon's bright illumination and the cemetery's surrounding darkness. The moonlight creates bright areas on top of the gravestones and grass, while the rest of the image is shrouded in long shadows.

Texture: Difference in skin

This image shows the stark contrast between the soft, smooth skin of the baby’s hand and the rough, wrinkled texture of the elderly woman’s hand, creating a powerful visual regarding the passage of time.

Color: Unique resin clock

This clock features a diverse color palette, including swirling shades of blue, green, red, yellow, orange, purple, and black. The warm colors convey warmth, joy, and enthusiasm, while the cooler tones suggest tranquility and introspection.

Key Lessons

Here is a summary of the key lessons I learned focusing on the elements of design to create compelling images:

• Lines/Leading Lines: Lines should lead the viewer’s eye to the intended point of focus, increasing visual communication.
• Shape: Using shapes to create recognizable forms and frame subjects.
• Color: Learning how color can set the mood, create harmony, or introduce contrast in an image.
• Texture: Understanding the importance of texture in adding depth and contrast to an image.
• Value: Learning that the difference between light and dark can enhance depth, and that high contrast can emphasize key elements while low contrast can create subtlety and calm.
• Framing: Creating natural frames within the image can direct focus.

Until next time,

Phil