Line:A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour; the basic building block of shape, edge, and form.
Value:The relative lightness or darkness of a color. Contrast of value separates objects in space, while graduation of value suggests mass and contour of a contiguous surface.
Shape: A two-dimensional area defined by a change in value or some other form of contrast. Shapes can either be geometric or organic.
Form:A three-dimensional shape with length, width and depth.
Space:the distances or areas around, between, and within things. It has two kinds: negative and positive.
Color:the element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye. The three parts of color are hue (the actual color), intensity (the brightness or dullness of a color), and value (how light or dark it is).
Texture:used to describe either the way a three-dimensional work actually feels when touched, or the visual "feel" of a two-dimensional work.
Design Elements
Balance:is a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. Balance can be symmetrical or evenly balanced or asymmetrical and un-evenly balanced.
Contrast:offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition. Contrast shows the difference between shapes and can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to create an area of emphasis.
Movement:Using elements under the rules of the principles in a picture to give the feeling of motion and to guide the viewer's eyes throughout the artwork.
Emphasis:an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition. This can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.
Pattern:Repeating visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, value or image tends to unify the total effect of a work of art as well as create rhythm. Repetition can take the form of an exact duplication (pattern), a near duplication, or duplication with variety.
Rhythm:timed movement through space; an easy, connected path along which the eye follows a regular arrangement of motifs.
Proportion/Scale:describes the size, location or amount of one element to another (or to the whole) in a work.
Unity/Harmony:occurs when all of the elements of a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole.