Elements & Principles of Design

Tertiary

Colors made by mixing a primary with a secondary color. Also called intermediate colors.

Proportion

The relation of one object to another in size, amount, number or degree- scale.

Primary colors

The three basic colors that cannot be made by mixing colors.

Variety

The use of different lines, shapes, textures, colors and other elements of design to create interest in a work of art.

Color spectrum

A band of colors produced when white light shines through a prism.

Analogous

Another name for relate colors- have one color in common. Colors that appear next to each other on the color wheel.

Form

Any three dimensional object that can be measured by height, width and depth.

Texture

The element of art that refers to the surface quality or feel of an object- its smoothness, roughness.

Balance

principle of design referring to the way the elements are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work- parts of equal visual weight.

Triad

Three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel. Example: red, yellow, and blue.

Value

An element of art that refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.

Hue

Common name for a color.

Color

Element of art produced when a wavelength of light strikes an object and reflects back to the eyes.

Neutrals

Black, gray, brown, and white.

Space

The empty or open area between, around, above, below and within objects.

Unity

A feeling that all of the parts are working together as a team- the quality of wholeness.

Shape

A flat figure created when actual or implied lines surround a space- can be geometric or organic.

Contrast

A large difference between two things: for example rough and smooth or white and black.

Line

A mark with length and direction, created by a point that moves across a surface.

Rhythm

A visual tempo or beat- often described as alternating, regular, flowing, progressive or jazzy.

Movement

A way of combining visual elements to produce a sense of action- or implied motion.

Emphasis

Area in a work of art that catches and holds the the viewers attention.

Complementary

Colors that are directly opposite of each other on the color wheel. When mixed together they make a neutral gray or brown.

Monochromatic

Make of only a single color or hue and its tints and shades.

Secondary colors

Orange, green, and purple.