Primary Elements

4 Design Primary Elements

On this page, I will be talking about the primary elements. These four elements are first considered conceptual, then visual.

Point: A point is the simplest design element that is the visual focus in a space and has no sense of direction,length, or space. Where the point lies in a space can give the viewer a different type of effect.

This single point is centered in the space and gives the viewer a sense of calmeness.

Line: A point extended to another point becomes a line, which has a length, direction, and position. A line does not necessarily have to just be straight and solid, a repetition of a simple pattern can also be considered a line.

The image above is of different examples of a line, proving that they do not always have to be solid and straight.

Plane: When lines extend in different directions and become enclosed, they create a plane. A plane has a height, width, and length, but is still considered 2-D. Shape is considered the primary element of a plane.

All of these shapes are 2-D and are made up lines projected in different directions that became enclosed; therefore making all of them a plane.

Volume: When a plane extends in a different direction than the original, it becomes a volume. The biggest thing about a volume, is that it has a depth, which makes it 3D.

In conclusion, we can experience all of these elements in the built environments that surround us. 

The image above shows how a plane (shape) turns into a volume.

References:

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/line

https://www.tes.com/lessons/pzaM67lS-9hqew/points-line-segments-lines-angles-and-rays-3-15

http://www.dsource.in/course/elements-3-dimensional-design/elements-and-properties

https://netart.us/basic-shapes-coloring-page/

https://nptel.ac.in/courses/107103002/module5/lec5_slide1.htm