Lecture One

Point, line & plane

• Kandinsky | A line is the track made by the moving point. It is created by movement-specifically through the destruction of the intense, self-contained repose of the point.
• Point, line & plane are the building blocks of design. From these elements, you can create images, icons, textures, patterns, diagrams, animations, and typographic systems.

Point

• Marks a position in space
• Pair of x and y coordinates.
• It has no mass at all. Graphically, however, a point takes form as a dot, a visible mark.
• A point can be an insignificant fleck of matter or a concentrated locus of power.
• A series of points forms a line. A mass of points becomes texture, shape, or plane. Tiny points of varying size create shades of gray.
• In typography, the point is the period- the definitive end of a line.

Line

• A line is an infinite series of points
• Geometrically, a line has length, but no breadth.
• Is the connection between two points.
• Is the path of a moving point.
• Can be a positive mark or a negative gap.
• Can appear at the edges of objects and where two planes meet.
• Can exist in many weights, thicknesses, and texture.
• When a line reaches a certain thickness, it becomes a PLANE.

Plane

• Flat surface, extending in height and width.
• A place is the path of a moving line or a line with breadth.
• A line closes to become a shape, a bounded plane. Shapes are planes with edges.
• In vector-based software, (Adobe Illustrator) every shape consists of line and fill.
• A plane can be parallel to the picture surface, or it can skew and recede into space.
• Ceilings, walls, floors, and windows are physical planes.

Space and Volume

• A graphic object that encloses 3D space has volume. It has height, width, and depth.
• A sheet of paper or a computer screen has no real depth, so volume is represented through graphic conventions.
• Linear perspective simulates optical distortions, making near objects appear large and far objects appear small.
• The angle at which elements recede reflects the position of the viewer (eye level)
• Axonometric Projection

o Depicts volume without making elements recede into space.
o Does not reflect the position of the viewer

Rhythm & balance

• Balance

o It is a fundamental human condition: we require physical balance to stand upright and walk; we seek balance among the many facets of our personal and professional lives; the world struggles for balance of power.
o In design, balance anchors and activates elements in space. Relationships among elements on the page or screen remind of physical relationships
o VISUAL BALANCE

• Occurs when the weight of one or more things is distributed evenly or proportionately in space.
• Like arranging furniture in a room, we move components around until the balance of form is suitable.

o Symmetrical design is inherently stable. (Taj Mahal)
o Asymmetrical designs are generally more active than symmetrical ones.
o Designers achieve balance by placing contrasting elements

• Repetition & change

o Famer’s fields, cars in a parking lot…repetition is an endless feature of the human environment.

• Rhythm & time

o Pacing

• Content can be distributed across the page or across many pages.
• In a one-page design, a sequential design must possess an overall coherence.
• All the design elements are places with an intention, to create focal points and create a visual pace.
• Underlying grid system helps bring order to a progression of pages.
• Key: an element of surprise and variation is important to keep interest.

Scale

• Scale is relative

o A graphic element can appear larger or smaller depending on the size, placements, and color of the elements around it.

• When elements are all the same size, the design feels flat. Contrast in size creates tension and depth/movement.
• Objective | literal dimensions
• Subjective | scale refers to one’s impression of an object’s size.