POINT & LINE
What is the smallest basic visual element in design?
A point.
Which Gestalt principle says objects placed close together appear to belong together?
Proximity.
What is the main difference between a shape and a form?
A shape is 2D; a form appears or is 3D.
What is texture in design?
The visual or tactile surface quality of an object or design.
What principle makes one part of a design attract attention first?
Emphasis.
What visual element is created when a point moves across a surface?
A line.
Which Gestalt principle groups objects because they look alike?
Similarity.
Give one example of a geometric shape and one example of an organic shape.
geometric—circle, square, triangle; organic—leaf-like, irregular/natural shape.
What is a pattern?
A repeated visual element.
What principle describes the distribution of visual weight in a composition?
Balance.
Name TWO feelings or ideas that diagonal lines can communicate.
movement, energy, action, excitement, instability.
Which Gestalt principle involves seeing a subject and its background as two competing visual areas?
Figure-ground.
What are three dimensions associated with form?
Height, width, and depth.
What is the difference between actual texture and visual texture?
Actual texture can physically be felt; visual texture only appears to have texture.
What principle is created when visual elements are repeated?
Repetition; rhythm may also be discussed.
Draw three different line types and explain how each could create a different mood.
Students should connect line qualities to mood.
A website shows five identical blue buttons together and one red button. Which idea could make the red button stand out, and why?
Similarity/difference can make the red button stand out; Yoi may also connect this to emphasis.
How can a designer make a flat circle look like a 3D sphere?
shading, highlights, shadows, gradients, value changes.
Why might a designer use texture in a digital poster even though the viewer cannot physically touch it?
To create visual interest, realism, mood, depth, or a particular style.
A poster has a very large title, a medium image, and small body text. Which principle helps organize these levels of importance?
Hierarchy.
DESIGN CHALLENGE: Create a tiny composition using ONLY points and lines that communicates “chaos.” Explain two choices you made.
Look for intentional use of direction, density, repetition, size, or overlapping.
DESIGN CHALLENGE: Sketch a simple logo or symbol that demonstrates figure-ground. Explain what viewers should see first and second.
the positive and negative spaces should intentionally create readable imagery.
DESIGN CHALLENGE: Turn a simple 2D shape into a form. Then explain which visual clues make it look 3D.
look for shading, value, perspective, highlights, and/or shadows.
DESIGN CHALLENGE: Create a repeating pattern using only three simple shapes. What must stay consistent for viewers to recognize the repetition?
repeated motif, spacing, direction, scale, or sequence should be consistent.
DESIGN CHALLENGE: Explain how a designer could use at least THREE principles of design in one concert poster.
emphasis, balance, contrast, hierarchy, repetition/rhythm, unity, movement, etc.