The Formal Elements of Art and Design

The Formal Elements of Art

The various visual elements, known as elements of design, formal elements, or elements of art, are the vocabulary with which the visual artist composes. These elements in the overall design usually relate to each other and to the whole art work.

The elements of design are:

1.      Line:    The visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece

2.      Shape:           Areas defined by edges within the piece, whether geometric or organic

3.      Colour: Hues with their various values and intensities

4.      Texture: Surface qualities which translate into tactile illusions

5.      Form: 3-D length, width, or depth

6.      Value: Shading used to emphasize form

7.      Space: The space taken up by (positive) or in between (negative) objects

Task:

Spend a few moments considering how you might represent each of the formal elements through photography.

Now create a series of pictures (24 minimum) for each of the formal elements. Please print a contact sheet for each of the 7 formal elements and stick it in your sketchbook.