Design–Point, line, shape

If you have never taken any kind of art class, it can seem over whelming to understand when people talk about the principles of design.

The principles of design can be thought of as how the elements of design are combined in a composition.

Let’s review some of the principles.

1. Point – the smallest bit of visual information.

In my quilt “Spring Rain”, it is easy to say the points are the red buds on the trees. They are the smallest bits of visual information on this quilt.

2. Line – A point in motion, marks made with a tool or a finger, on the edge created when two shapes meet.

In my quilt “Beyond the Hill” the line is easy to define.

• There is line where the elements all meet between the colors of the hills and sky.
  
• There is line in the grass in the foreground.

3. Shape – A shape is a self-contained area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a composition creates a negative shape. Shapes have mass and volume.

• The shapes in this composition are the hills, the sky and the trees. Of course the grass are also a shapes since they have some mass.

4. Direction – All lines have direction – horizontal, vertical or oblique. (Having a slanting or sloping direction, course, or position; inclined.)

• By changing direction of the grass in the foreground of “Beyond the Hill” I have created the illusion of movement in the design.

More on design principles tomorrow.