Elements and Principals of Design/Color Theory

Shape

2-dimensional line with no form or thickness. Shapes are flat and can be grouped into two categories, geometric and organic.

Form

3-dimensional object having volume and thickness. It is the illusion of a 3-D effect that can be implied with the use of light and shading techniques. Form can be viewed from many angles.

Monochromatic color scheme

A color scheme that uses only one color with tints, shades and tones of that color.

Symmetrical Balance

A form of balance where it is the same on both sides.

Tone

A hue + gray.

Tint

A light value of a hue made by adding white to the original color.

Shade

A low-valued color, made by adding black to a hue.

Line

A mark on a surface that describes a shape or outline. It can create texture and can be thick and thin. Types of line can include actual, implied, vertical, horizontal, diagonal and contour.

Contrast

A principle of art, contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark values, warm vs. cool colors, large vs. small shapes, organic vs. geometric shapes, rough vs. smooth textures, isolated vs. grouped objects, etc.)

Balance

A principle of design that refers to the visual equalization of elements in a work of art.

Color

An object or substance with respect to light reflected by the object, usually determined visually by measurement of hue, saturation, and brightness of the reflected light; saturation or chroma; hue. Also, known as Hue.

Composition

An orderly arrangement of elements using color, shape, line, etc. in a work of art, usually according to the principles of design.

Emphasis

Artist or designer may use opposing sizes, shapes, contrasting colors or other means to place greater attention on certain areas, objects or feelings in a work of art.

Secondary Colors

Colors (orange, green, violet) made by mixing equal parts of two primary colors together.

Tertiary Colors

Colors located between primary and secondary colors on the color wheel, created by mixing any adjacent primary and secondary color. Examples: red-orange, yellow-green, blue-violet.

Analogous Colors

Colors that are adjacent on the color wheel. These colors will have a similar temperature and hue.

Warm Colors

Colors that are on one side of the color wheel that elicit a feeling of warmth, associated with the sun and fire in nature, active, advancing, for example, red, orange and yellow.

Cool Colors

Colors that elicit a feeling of coolness, associated with the sky, air, water or grass in nature, calm, receding, for example, blue, green, purple.

Complementary Colors

Colors which appear opposite each other on the color wheel. These colors complete each other on the color spectrum.

Pattern

Combinations of line, shape, and color to show real or imaginary things. Pattern may also be achieved by repeating a shape, color, line.

Rule of Thirds

In the rule of thirds, photos are divided into thirds with two imaginary lines vertically and two lines horizontally making three columns, three rows, and nine sections in the images. Important compositional elements and leading lines are placed on or near the imaginary lines and where the lines intersect.

Asymmetrical Balance

Not identical on both sides.

Movement

Refers to the arrangement of parts in a work of art to create a slow-to-fast movement of one's eye through the work.

Unity

Relates to the sense of oneness or wholeness in a work of art.

Value

Relative lightness or darkness of a color as measured on a scale from black to white.

Primary Colors

The basic colors (red, yellow, blue) that cannot be created by combining other colors and from which all other colors can be made.

Focal Point

The center of interest in an image or design created by using color, contrast, proportion, etc.

Space

The dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move.

Negative Space

The part of an image which appears to recede or forms the background.

Texture

The qualities and appearance of the surface of an object or plane in an image or design. Examples: smooth, rough, cracked, etc.

Rhythm

The repetition of shapes, values, colors, etc., to create visual interest.

Positive Space

The space being used by an object