Color

Elements of Design Color is described with the words hue, value, and
A design is a visual plan you can use to create your 4-H
intensity. Hue refers to the name of the color—red or
project. Everything you can see has a design. When you
blue, for example. Value tells the lightness or darkness
describe something you see, you use words that tell
of a hue. Intensity refers to the brightness or dullness of
about the lines, shapes, colors, textures, and spaces. a hue. You can use a color wheel and learn how colors
Line, shape, color, texture, and space are the basic work together in the publication, 4H-633, Color.
elements of design.
Texture
The elements of design are important to everyone who
Texture is the surface quality of an item. It’s how
works in textiles and clothing, home interiors,
something feels when touched or looks like it would
woodworking, photography, landscaping, architecture,
feel if touched. Sandpaper is rough. Velvet is smooth. A
foods, and the visual arts. If you understand the design
drawing of a tree stump could show rough outer bark
elements, you will be more successful with your 4-H
and a smooth inner surface. Search for ways to add
projects.
texture to your projects. Texture adds variety and
Line interest.
Lines can be horizontal, vertical, dotted, zigzag, curved,
Space
straight, diagonal, bold, or fine. Lines can show
Space refers to the area that a shape or form occupies.
direction, lead the eye, outline an object, divide a space, It also refers to the background against which we see
and communicate a feeling or emotion.
the shape or form. Space can be defined as positive and
Shape
negative. The positive space of a design is the filled
Shapes are made by connecting lines. Circle, square, space in the design—often it is the shapes that make up
triangle, and freeform are words used to identify the design. Negative space is the background. The
shapes. Look at the objects around you and describe
negative space in design is as important as the positive
their basic shapes. Are they one shape, or are they a
area
combination of many shapes? After doing this several
Rhythm
times, you will begin to understand what shape really is.
You have felt rhythm in music. Rhythm is also a part of
Line creates two dimensional or flat shapes. When
things you see. It allows the eye to move from one part
shapes are three dimensional, we call them forms. A
of a design to another part.
circle is a shape; a ball is a form. A square is a shape; a
Rhythm can be created by: Repeating a color, shape,
cube is a form. A drawing is a flat shape; a sculpture is a
texture, line, or space when designing.
three-dimensional form. • Varying the size of objects, shapes, or lines in se-
quence (small to large).
• Using a progression of colors from tints to shades
(light blue to dark blue).
• Shifting from one hue to a neighboring hue (yellow to
yellow-orange to orange to red-orange to red).
 they should open. A flowerpot should be designed to
Principles of Design complement the flowers and not draw more attention to the
Some combinations of design elements (line, shape, pot.
color, texture, and space) work better than others.
Honesty of Design
Here are some guidelines to help you understand why Honesty of design refers to three specific areas—
some combinations work and others do not work as media, form, and function. You can get help in
well. These guidelines—rhythm, proportion, emphasis, evaluating your work from many people, among them
balance, and unity—are the principles of design. your parents, other 4-H’ers, leaders, teachers, and fair
Proportion judges. There is seldom only one way to improve a
Proportion refers to the relationship between one part of a design, so don’t be surprised if different people have
design and another part or to the whole design. It is a different ideas on how you might change your work. In
comparison of sizes, shapes, and the end, the decision is yours. Becoming a good
quantities. For example, the relationship between the vertical designer takes practice. The more you talk about a play
and horizontal measurements of a wall hanging may be
pleasing because the unequal lengths produce an interesting
with the elements and principles of design, the easier it
contrast. will be to use them effectively. Here are some questions
Emphasis to ask yourself about your design.
Every design needs an accent—a point of interest. Emphasis 1. Where did you get the idea for your design?
is the quality that draws your attention to a certain part of a 2. Describe one of the design elements. How did you
design first. There are several ways to create emphasis: use it?
• Use a contrasting color. 3. What do you like about the way your design looks?
• Use a different or unusual line. 4. What might you change another time?
• Make a shape very large or very small. 5. Is your design honest in media, form, and function?
• Use a different shape.
• Use plain background space. Additional Resources
Balance These additional resources are available from your ISU
Balance gives a feeling of stability. There are three types of Extension county office:
balance. Color, 4H 633
Symmetrical, or formal balance, is the simplest kind. An item Selecting Quality Crafts, PM 962
that is symmetrically balanced is the same on both sides. Our
bodies are an example of formal balance. If you draw an Ideas and Inspirations
imaginary line from your head to your toes dividing your body Where do you get your ideas? Just as you do not copy
in half, you will be pretty much the same on both sides. from the encyclopedia when you write a term paper or
Designs that have a radial balance have a center point. A tire, from another person’s paper when you take a test, you
pizza, and a daisy flower are all examples of design with radial should never copy another person’s design. You are
balance. When you look through a kaleidoscope, everything what makes your designs special! Inspiration or sources
you see has a radial balance.
for designs may come from poetry, music, nature, and
Asymmetrical balance creates a feeling of equal weight on
both sides, even though the sides do not look the same. your own photographs and sketches. Let these
Asymmetrical designs also are called informal designs inspirations be springboards for your imagination.
because they suggest movement and spontaneity.
Asymmetrical balance is the hardest type of balance to
achieve and often takes experimenting or moving elements
around until balance is achieved.
Unity When things look right together, you have created
unity or harmony. Lines and shapes that repeat each other
show unity (curved lines with curved shapes). Colors that
have a common hue are harmonious. Textures that have a
similar feel add to unity. But too much uniformity sometimes
can be boring. At the same time, too much variety destroys
unity. You are being honest with a medium when you are
familiar with that medium, use it to its best advantage, and
avoid making it look like something else. Clay should not be
glazed to look like wood, and wood should not be painted to
look like clay bricks. Honesty related to form and function
means that parts of a design should work in ways they were
intended. Doors on woodworking projects should not be fake;