Elements of GD_RachelT

1. Grid

Grid is a series of calculated lines used to help a designer place images, text, and other design elements. The use of grid allows for a more correlated look to a spread allowing the reader to understand the information easier both graphically and textually. Grid encourages the designer to use the whole space to their advantage. Either an active element or working in the background, grid helps add relation to the elements used within a spread. It serves as a great starting place rather than using pure unguided judgement. Grid encourages the use of cells and blocks that help guide the reader and push the designer to view the spread in different ways. By using grids an almost forced use of rhythm is created. By framing the information graphically and providing a flow to the overall look of the spread.

2. Pattern

Pattern is a form of ornamentation originating from dots, stripes, and grids. The stacking and usage of these elements together or repeated creates a visual texture or pattern. The closer dots are to each other the more they appear to be line rather than isolated marks, another example of building up elements in order to create something new. A pattern is purely the repetition of these elements or usage of more than one in a series duplicated over and over again. Starting with one element and changing its size, proximity, orientation, and color can add to the complexity of a pattern.

3. Point/Line/Plane

Point, line and plane are the foundation to design and most artworks. Textures and patterns are created from a large grouping of points and lines, that change orientation to interact with the space and guide the viewer's eyes. Points mark a position within the. viewing plane or space. Scaling and positioning of these marks can enforce a design or stand alone to stand out amongst the design. Series of points produce a line, which has length but no mass. This can be positive or negative. The visual appearance of a line or lines can be varied through weight and location in the design, as well as repetition. A plane is a flat surface extending in height and width, it is the path of a moving line. A plane can be variously textured. A line closes to become shape which is considered a bounded plane. Shapes are just planes with visual edges.

4. Rhythm & Balance

Balance, in a design setting provides a resting or focal visual point that separates from the surrounding forms but still working with it to activate the viewers space. That could be weight or visual aspects evenly dispersed within the space. Thinking of symmetry, which is perfectly balanced, the same elements appear on either side of an axis. Rhythm is the use of a repeated pattern, this in tandem with small differentiations can keep the viewer active throughout the design. The viewers eyes remain focused with rhythm and balance creates life by using outlying design features to jump off the page. 

                                                                                                            

5. Hierarchy

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Hierarchy is an order to a social grouping, this could be freshman through senior like the grades in school or sections or chapters within a book. It lists order or power or authority within a grouping. In graphics it effects the impact a design will have on the viewer and allows for easier understanding by the viewer. They are signals of change from one point to another within a design. Using styles, placement, and varying typographical applications can emphasize and reduce certain pieces of information of the design. 

6. Modularity 

A module is a fixed element used within a larger system. Like a pixel within a digital image or star amongst the solar system. It is a series of pieces that make up the building blocks of a design and are used also in typography. Creating various font styles by combining specific modules to create the letters. Which then results in unlimited compositions by changing the size, color ad orientation to further explore a concept.