VDE | ELEMENTS OF DESIGN | WOON HUI 

 
introducing the elements of design 
 
● Line​: A line is a mark between two points. There are various types of lines, from straight 
to squiggly to curved and more. Lines can be used for a wide range of purposes: 
stressing a word or phrase, connecting content to one another, creating patterns and 
much more. 
● Colour​: Colour is used to generate emotions, define importance, create visual interest 
and more. Some colours are warm and active (orange, red); some are cool and passive. 
● Texture​: Texture relates to the surface of an object; the look or feel of it. Using texture in 
design is a great way to add depth and visual interest. 
● Size​: Size is how small or large something is. Size is used to define importance, create 
visual interest in a design (via contrasting sizes), attract attention. 
● Space​: Space is the area round or between elements in a design. It can be used to 
separate or group information. Use it effectively to: give the eye a rest; define 
importance; lead the eye through a design and more. 
● Value​: Value is how light or dark an area looks. A gradient is a great way to visualise 
value - everything from dark to white, all the shades in-between has a value. Use value to 
create depth and light; to create a pattern; to lead the eye; or to emphasize. 
● Shape​: Height + width = shape. There are three types of shape: geometric (triangles, 
squares, circles etc), natural (leaves, animals, trees, people), and abstracted (icons, 
stylizations, graphic representatives etc).Odder or lesser seen shapes can be used to 
attract attention. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
examples of artworks 
 
L I N E 

 
NAME OF ARTWORK​: “The Scream” 
ARTIST​: Edvard Munch 
YEAR MADE​: 1893 
MEDIUM​: Oil, tempera, pastel and crayon on cardboard 
LOCATION​: National Gallery and Munch Museum 
 
In this example of expressive lines in art, Edvard Munch uses wavy lines in contrast with a 
strong straight diagonal line to convey anxiety. 
 
C O L O U R 

 
NAME OF ARTWORK​: “Hammamet with Its Mosque” 
ARTIST​: Paul Klee 
YEAR MADE​: 1914 
MEDIUM​: Watercolour and graphite on paper mounted on cardboard 
 
In this example of colour in art, Paul Klee shows contrast between high intensity and low 
intensity colours by using more or less water with his paint. 
 
 
S I Z E 

 
NAME OF ARTWORK​: “Christina’s World” 
ARTIST​: Andrew Wyeth  
YEAR MADE​: 19048 
MEDIUM​: Tempera on panel 
LOCATION​: The Museum of Modern Art 
 
In this scale in art example, the artist uses scale to show the space or depth between the girl 
and the house in the background. 
 
S P A C E 

 
NAME OF ARTWORK​: “The Cathedral” 
ARTIST​: Auguste Rodin 
YEAR MADE​: 1908 
MEDIUM​: Stone 
LOCATION​: Rodin Museum 
 
In Rodin’s ​The Cathedral​, the empty negative space between the hands creates as much 
emotion and power as the positive space of the hands.