Elements & Principles of Design
What makes a striking photo? Often, it's merely ordinary things composed in an ordinary manner. That's because they always tend to have a single theme or idea, and because clutter is kept to a minimum. They are simple, true, and sincere. Today we're looking at the elements of design (line, shape, form, texture, colour etc) that can turn a simple subject into a striking photo.
Successful photos rely on order, and the main elements that bring and emphasize order in a composition are: line, shape, form, texture, pattern, and color. Every photograph, intentionally or not, contains one or more of these element, which are known as the elements of design.
All of these elements have a huge impact on a photo, especially the line, texture, and color. Usually we recognize and utilize these elements unconsciously. This depends on the individual's sensitivity to the different visual components out there, and is very much affected by the person's memories and life experiences that are registered on their own personal mind tape.
Successful photos rely on order, and the main elements that bring and emphasize order in a composition are: line, shape, form, texture, pattern, and color. Every photograph, intentionally or not, contains one or more of these element, which are known as the elements of design.
All of these elements have a huge impact on a photo, especially the line, texture, and color. Usually we recognize and utilize these elements unconsciously. This depends on the individual's sensitivity to the different visual components out there, and is very much affected by the person's memories and life experiences that are registered on their own personal mind tape.
| principles_and_elements_of_design.pdf |
Elements of Design Examples
Line
Shape
Form
Colour
Texture
Space
Your Task
STEP 1
Familiarize yourself with the elements and principles of design in photography from the lesson and referencing the cheat sheets.
STEP 2
You will be responsible for photographing your own subject matter for each of the elements and principles of design.
STEP 3
You will then save them on your z: drive in the folder “Elements of Design” and “Principles of Design” (within each folder make a sub folder of the element/principle and put your photos in there respectively) and answer in written format the following REFLECTION questions below for each photograph - one for each element and principle.
*Each partner will have different examples of each Element/Principle.
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
1. Colour
2. Line
3. Shape
4. Form
5. Space
6. Texture
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What element does this photography investigate?
2. Why did you take this photo for the specific element?
3. What aspect of the photograph do you think is most successful?
4. What part of your photograph do you think is most visually striking?
Once completed please save your work on the z: drive in the appropriate folder.
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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
1. Balance
2. Contrast
3. Emphasis
4. Movement and Rhythm
5. Pattern and Repetition
6. Scale
7. Unity
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What principle does this photography investigate?
2. Why did you take this photo for the specific principle?
3. What part of your photograph do you think is most visually striking?
Familiarize yourself with the elements and principles of design in photography from the lesson and referencing the cheat sheets.
STEP 2
You will be responsible for photographing your own subject matter for each of the elements and principles of design.
STEP 3
You will then save them on your z: drive in the folder “Elements of Design” and “Principles of Design” (within each folder make a sub folder of the element/principle and put your photos in there respectively) and answer in written format the following REFLECTION questions below for each photograph - one for each element and principle.
*Each partner will have different examples of each Element/Principle.
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
1. Colour
2. Line
3. Shape
4. Form
5. Space
6. Texture
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What element does this photography investigate?
2. Why did you take this photo for the specific element?
3. What aspect of the photograph do you think is most successful?
4. What part of your photograph do you think is most visually striking?
Once completed please save your work on the z: drive in the appropriate folder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
1. Balance
2. Contrast
3. Emphasis
4. Movement and Rhythm
5. Pattern and Repetition
6. Scale
7. Unity
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What principle does this photography investigate?
2. Why did you take this photo for the specific principle?
3. What part of your photograph do you think is most visually striking?
Evaluation
