What does visual hierarchy do?
Is deliberate so that you notice certain things first
What is function?
You get a primary and secondary function. The function is the job that something was designed to do. When asked on function you cannot be asked on materials and/ or technology.
What does aesthetics mean?
Is it visually appealing? Easy to read and understand?
What is ergonomics?
How something fits the body.
When asked on typography, what should you comment on?
Scale, readability, visual hierarchy, shape, colour, function, positioning (layout), typeface etc
What is tone as a visual element
It refers to how light or dark something is. Tone can be used to;
-create the illusion of form.
- to create a particular atmosphere
- to create contrast and focus attention
- to suggest depth
Explain colour as a visual element
Colour can affect the way we view a painting with things like;
- colour relationship, are the colours harmonious or contrasting?
- colour temp, are the colours cool or warm.
- the strength of the colours, are there saturated hues or less vibrant? Are there darker shades or lighter tints?
- what is the emotional response?, what moods or feelings do the colours represent?
Explain line as a visual element
- contour lines = used to define the shapes or forms of an object to show key details.
- descriptive lines = tell is more about a subject. Making a shape look more three dimensional by showing light shade and texture.
- expressive lines = the way that lines are created can be used to create mood by using different mediums to give the lines different effects such as thick or thin, bold or smudged.
- orientation of line = refers to the direction of lines. Vertical horizontal or diagonal. Line help guide you though a painting. Orientation is used to help create focal points, suggest balance or depth etc.
- actual and implied lines = actual lines are real marks made in the composition whereas implied lines are made though changes in colour, tone texture or by the edges of shapes.
- leading lines = helps to lead the eye round a composition,m creating visual flow and emphasising elements.
- geometric lines = relate to mathematical and manmade shapes. Often following a patten and are straight and uniform.
- Organic lines = lines that appear natural and imperfect. Tend to have less structure and are curved and irregular.
Explain shape as a visual element?
Shapes are a two- dimensional area. They have hight and width but no depth. There are two types of shape;
- organic shapes = can be found in nature. Things like flowers or fruit have natural shapes. They are imperfect and usually curved and flowing. These shapes can make a piece of art seem natural and read.
- geometric shapes = these are mathematical like squares and are regular and perfect, characterised by straight lines and angles. They suggest balance and order in artwork and highlight that something is manmade.
You also get positive and negative shapes. Sometimes artists will use the outline of shape filled in with flat colour. This is a silhouette.
Explain Form as a visual element
Form refers to three dimensional objects (hight, width and depth).
-Three dimensional forms are referred to as real forms.
-Two dimensional works can suggest implied form as the lines or shapes are shown in a way that suggests depth which can be done using perspective or though tone or colour.
You can get organic or geometric forms and perceived mass which is when something looks heavier based on what it looks like.
Explain solace as a visual element
Space refers to the objetcs and the space around them. Three dimensiaonl works have real space and occupy real volume.
In two dimensional works space can be implied by using a range of techniques such as;
-size
-colour
-overlapping
-placement
-perspective
-atmospheric perspective (less detailed seems further, detailed means closer)
You also have positive and negative space. Positive space is taken up by objects whereas negative space is empty space around and between objects.
Explain texture as a visual element
How something feels. Texture can sometimes help with a products function. An example of functional texture is a duvet being made of soft fabric rather than something hard.
Actual texture is when the surface of the art is tactile as a result of the materials that an artist has used.
Implied texture is when the artist has used techniques to make some thing look like its textile, eg when an artist uses their skill to make glass seem smooth.
Texture can also be used to show technique and express emotion
Explain pattern as a visual element
Pattern is a repeated shape or line or colour etc.
You can get motifs which are repeat as a pattern but they are slightly different but still recognisable.
You can get regular or irregular patterns.
Regular patterns can be the same each time or can change in a way that is regularly repeated. Irregular patterns are when the motif changes or the repetition is unpredictable
Explain balance as a principle of design
Refers to how elements in a composition are arranged. Usually we find a balanced composition more appealing and comforting as unbalanced com positions make us feel uneasy.
Balance inculkedes things like;
- symmetry = mirrored equally through a vertical line
- asymmetry = created though arrangement of visual weight. Is not symmetrical but is balanced regardless.
- radial symmetry = when elements spread out from a central point evenly.
- imbalance = when designers have purposefully created a sense of imbalance creating a sense of unease and even danger. Overall it’s asymmetrical.
Explain emphasis as a principle of design
It’s how an artist or designer creates focal point. Can be done by allowing one element to stand out from the others or by toning own surrounding elements to draw attention. There ae five main ways to create emphais;
- contrast
- placement
- isolation
- convergence
- the unusual
Explain movement as a principle of design
Physical changes that happen over time. Represented with actual moment or by using a range of different compositional or media techniques.
- literal movement can include moving parts that could be mechanically driven or as a result of natural effects. Eg a clock
- representing physical moment can be dine though frozen moments or you can use blurring instead.
- illusion is also sued to create a sense of movement
Explain proportion as a principle of design
Refers to the dimensions of a composition and relationships between hight, width and depth. Represents how sizes of different parts relate to each other, affecting how pleasing something looks and can be used to draw attention to certain areas. If the proportion is off then the immage will not look accurate but sometimes this is done on purpose to create a distinct piece of art
Explain variety as a visual element
How artists add complexity to their work and prevent it from being monotonous. This can be done using;
-composition
-difference and change
- elaboration
Explain unity as a visual element
Adds order to a composition. Created with;
- simplicity
-proximity (how close things are)
- repetition
-continuation (uses continuing lines, edges and shapes to link together different areas)
Explain rhythm as a visual element
Refers to the relationships between elements that create a sense of harmony. Helps to guide the eye around a piece. There are three main types;
- regular rhythm =. When elements are repeated exactly and evenly spaced
- flowing rhythm = movement is suggested though repeating organic shapes or through irregular repetition of repeating elements.
- progressive rhythm = a sequence is created in which the elements are changed slightly every time they are repeated.
What can be talked about when asked on composition?
- foreground
- focal point (area of interest)
-midground
-movement - background
-balance - lead in
- lead out
- leading lines
- pathways
- contrast
-scale
-shape
-proportion - pattern
- rhythm
-viewpoint
