The Language of Graphic Design (1)
To successfully put out functional and beautiful designs, designers rely on certain elements and principles to guide their creative process, inform their decisions and creation of works.
These elements and principles are Point, Line, Shape, Typography, Color, Image, Scale, Movement, Space, Balance, Symmetry, Asymmetry, and Proportion (there are others but for the purpose of this article, we will be featuring only those outlined above)
This post covers Point, Line and Shape which are the foundation of the design language. Subsequent post will treat other elements and principles of design.
Point
A point is the fundamental building block of all elements of graphic design, that is, all other elements are built on it. A point can be realized in many forms in design and can take on a variety of visual realities, when used in a meaningful scale and in an appropriate context, a point can communicate a multitude of visual meanings. A point can be as simple as a dot and can also take complex shapes, forms, textures, patterns etc.
Let’s assume you want to draw a straight line, all you need to do is start with a point and then drag your pen along the path. This line can be turned into square, triangle, pyramid, stick figure and what have you. This makes a point/dot an important element of design to understand.
Application of Point in Design
Designers utilize point in their everyday work. Perhaps, the usage of point in design that readily comes to mind is the mastercard logo that features two overlapping circles. See the TMF logo below;
Other examples include Audi logo, Pepsi Logo, Target Logo etc. Now don’t think point can only be used in logos. They can be used to create a variety of graphic materials; click here, and here and here
Lines
A line is simply a path traced by moving a point. It is one of the most basic and pervasive visual elements of graphic design. Its function are limitless. It can join, organize, separate, direct, construct, connect, and move other graphic objects. Lines can be imaginary (the dividing line between the sea and the sky) or actual.
Lines are expressive and can convey a wide range of emotions. For instance, lines can be thick, thin, curvy, smooth, or irregular. The emotion they convey depends upon their usage. A smooth and curvy line is friendly and approachable; a thick line communicates strength and power; a thin line is soft, restrained and elegant. A horizontal line is calm, still and peaceful; a vertical line communicates strength, height, and aspirations; Diagonal lines are energetic, conveys movement and dynamism.
Application of Lines in design
Newspapers, magazines, publications and website rely on the use of line to separate information, lead the eye in a particular direction, or imply alignment. See the following pinterest post; click here, here, here and here
Shape
Shape — the physical form or appearance of something. It is defined by boundary and mass. It is formed by joining lines together in a particular way and also when a point is too big to retain its pure identity. A shape is composed of width and height but without depth. They are used to define layouts, create patterns, and compose functional elements in a composition. Shapes can be geometric, organic or random.
Geometric shapes
Circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles are the most familiar geometric shapes. Each of these shapes are created by combining specific amounts of lines and/or curves. They are well-defined and have perfectly straight lines or consistent and regular curves.
Organic Shapes
Organic shapes are created or derived from nature and living organisms. They take their shape from nature such as a tree branch, rose flower, rock formation, a leaf chewed by an insect, and are used more freely than geometric shapes. See the example above
Random Shapes
These types of shapes are based on the imagination of the designer. They are random and have no sense of order, semblance, or relationship to geometric or organic shapes.
Meaning of some shapes
Circles have no beginning or end. Circles are warm, comforting and give a sense of sensuality and love. Their movement suggests energy and power. Their completeness suggests the infinite, unity, and harmony. Circles suggests community, integrity, and perfection.
Squares have equal sides. They communicate equality, conformity, peacefulness, solidity, security and stability.
Triangles are both stable and unstable depending on whether it is sitting on its base or not. They represent dynamic tension, action, and aggression. Triangles have energy and power and is prone to conflict.
Application of Shapes in design
We interact with shapes in our daily lives; from the button of our shirts to the traffic light to our mobile phones, laptop etc,. Instagram, Facebook and Twitter logos are based on the basic shapes.
See other applications here, here, here, and here
This is not the end.
Kindly drop your contributions in the comment section. Let’s share ideas.
