thinking through elements of design for jewelry

1. Elements:
 The Elements and Principles are essential to understanding,
interpreting and talking about art.
As you read the following definitions and view examples of
how they are used in art work, follow along on your
scanning sheet to see how each of the Elements and
Principles contribute to a work of Art.
The Elements of Design ... or the Sensory Properties
are the building blocks of art. Artists use the elements to
express their ideas, just as a writer uses words to express
ideas. The Elements of Design are sometimes called
Sensory Properties because the viewer can see and touch
them with their senses. You will be using these Elements in
your first scanning sheet page.

2. Line
 a mark, or stroke that is longer then it is wide. It is
the path of a point moving in space. Objects and
things are perceived by the line that describes them.
Characteristics of line include:
 Width - thick, thin, tapering, uneven
 Length - long, short, continuous, broken
 Direction - horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curving,
perpendicular, oblique, parallel, radial, zig-zag
 Focus - sharp, blurry, fuzzy, choppy
 Feeling - sharp, jagged, graceful, smooth ... can you
think of others?

3. line

10. plane

14. Shape/Form
 Shape is the external outline of an object. It is two-
dimensional. Form is a shape that is three-dimensional.
Various types and characteristics of shape include:
 Organic - natural, living form.
 Inorganic or geometric - man-made, non-living forms.
 Open-forms - forms that can be looked into.
 Closed-forms - self-contained.
 Geometric Shape - circle, square, rectangle, triangle,
pentagon, octagon, other polygons.
 Geometric Form - sphere, cube, pyramid, cone, cylinder.
 Free-Form - any non-geometric shape: irregular, amorphic

15. shape

18. Planar forms

19. cube

20. prism

21. pyramid

22. cylinder

23. cone

24. sphere

29. torus

31. Color
 the sensation resulting from reflection or absorption of light by a
surface. Hue is another name for color.
Primary colors are hues from which all other colors can be made:
red, yellow, blue. Secondary colors are made from mixing equal
parts of the Primary colors: orange, green, violet.
Tertiary colors are those colors between Primary and Secondary
colors: yellow-orange, red-orange, etc.
Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other
on the color wheel: red-green, orange-blue, yellow-violet.
Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent (side by side) to
each other on the color wheel.

38. Monochromatic colors
 are variations in value of one color by adding either white to
make tints or black to make shades. Tints are made when
white is added to a pure hue to make light values. A Shade
is when black is added to a pure hue to make dark values.
Intensity refers to the brightness or dullness of a color.
 Descriptors: brilliant, medium, dull.
 Colors have degrees of transparency: A color is
Transparent if the viewer can see clearly through it.
 A color is translucent if it admits light but the image is
diffused and can not be seen clearly.
 A color is opaque if it can't be seen through.

42. Texture
 is the surface quality or appearance of an
object. Visual texture is a quality of the
surface that you can ‘see’, but not
necessarily ‘felt’. Actual texture is a
quality of the surface that you can both
‘see’ and ‘feel’.
 Descriptors are: rough/smooth, wet/dry,
hard/soft, shiny/matte (dull), slick/sticky,
slippery/abrasive, coarse/porous ...

56.  Space is the distance or area between shapes.
 Shapes can be arranged in space in many ways -
rows, overlapping, by size to show distance ... can
you think of other ways?
 Positive Space is created by objects that are seen as
a main element appearing to be in front
 of the background.
 Negative Space is the area that surrounds the
shapes.

67.  Value refers to the degree of lightness or darkness
and can refer to the way color is used.
Value is used to transform shapes into forms.
Notice the smooth gradations from light to dark on
each form.
Highlight is the lightest value. Shadow is dark
value.
The light color of a value is a tint.
The dark color of a value is a shade.

74.  Balance is created when
there is an equilibrium of
elements that need each
other and together they
create Unity.
Symmetry is created
when the balancing
elements seem to carry
the same visual weight
or shape on each side of
the composition.
Asymmetry is unlike
sides

82.  Repetition is created when one of
the Elements of Design are
repeated at regular intervals.

84.  Unity is created when objects seem
to belong to each other so that each
contributes something to the whole
composition. Nothing can be left out
without changing the composition

87.  Theme/Variation is the dominant
feature that is repeated to give the
work its character.

91.  Contrast is created when opposites
are used in close proximity such as
light and dark colors, or large and
small shapes

98. Rhythm
 Rhythm is the regular repetition of a
particular element(s). It suggests a
motion by patterns of recurrent
elements.
Rhythm is created when there is a
regular repetition of particular forms,
it shows a pattern of movement.

103. Dominance
 Dominance is created when one part
is given more importance than any
other part of the work.
 Can also be referred to as
Focal Point.

107. Technical Properties:
 Technical Properties are important to
understanding a work of art. The artists’ skill and use
of a particular art media and tools gives the viewer a
closer look at the relationship between the artist and
the quality of the work of art. Identifying art media
used by an artist is the first step. Techniques for
using art media are varied. Each one has a particular
characteristic, and the effect the artist is trying to
achieve will depend on which medium is chosen.

108. The Expressive Properties:
 Expressive Properties are the emotional or aesthetic
responses one receives from interacting with a work of art.
A work of Art usually has a message, a response that it
wants to give to the viewer.
The Expressive Properties are described in three
categories:
 Mood Language ... How does the artwork made you ‘feel’?
- witty, whimsical, joyous, playful, mysterious, loving, quiet,
reflective, dreamy
 Dynamic States refer to forms that express a sense of
tension.- suspense, unexpected, power, exciting.
 The Idea or Ideal Language offers a description of a
quality of perfection: nobility, courage, wisdom, truth,
honor, heroism, bravery, innocence, compassion, majesty,
resistance, fearlessness.