Design Communication

Initially verbal and non-verbal communication takes place in order to arrive at a design. 
These communications can take place in many ways such as :

Electronic methods

  1. Voice
  2. Writings
  3. Pictures
  4. Body Language

If a design is not communicated accurately, the end result may not be not as expected by the person who is communicating.  Also if the communicated information and details are not properly understood by the designer, again the end result may not be as expected.


Introduction to  Design

This process starts with general instructions and ends up with specific details. The idea in the mind becomes a visual which is real.


Design Visuals : 
A design uses a visual language or method.

Design Elements :
Design elements are interconnected ‘parts’ or ‘blocks’ which are used to complete a design, as per the real world’s objects.  Even the real world – real objects are made of these parts or blocks.


01)Line

 The basic primary element of any design is the ‘Line’.

Lines may be different in many ways as: direction, shape (wavy, straight, curved…), continuity (dotted. contentious), thickness (pen, brush..), effect (clear, blurred), shading, brightness… many more. Lines can be used to inter-match objects, to bring unity and to produce final effects on images within a design. Lines can finally help to see through and around a design.

Line–Characteristics
All lines have their own characteristics and features: they are ;

  •  width (thick, thin, uneven)
  • length (long, short, continuous, broken)
  • directions (vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curving, perpendicular, oblique, parallel, radial zigzag)
  • focus (sharp, blurry, fuzzy, choppy)
  • feelings (sharp, jagged, graceful, smooth)          

Line Design -Mood & feelings : 
Lines can also used to express moods or feelings. They can express many human feelings of some are ; Sad, Happy, Angry, Painful, Quiet, Free, Worried, Confident, Nervous, excited, board, calm, frightened, graceful, peaceful, active….etc.

Line - Expressive Quality
Lines have their own power of expression. This is achieved by drawing the lines in different ways.

  • Bold lines  -  strength, power, stability, might
  • Branched lines – unity, strength, focus
  • Curved lines- happiness, harmony, peace, tranquility
  • Dark Slashing lines – aggression, anger, rage
  • Dark heavy lines – confidence, boldness
  • Diagonal Lines – rhythm, movement, harmony
  • Fuzzy lines- soft, gentle, relaxed
  • Vertical lines – stability, strength , power 

Line – Types
  • Actual Lines: These are psychically present. The real basic lines, that create, form & space, shapes, contour, space in a picture. These arts have actual visible lines.
  • Implied Lines: These lines are really not there in the picture or an art work, but it is felt like being present.
  • Psychic Lines : These designs/pictures imply lines or directions which are really not drawn, but are felt. In the following picture there two gentlemen in black coats, who we feel are looking at each other, but if we observe closely, they are only looking at the same direction, and not at each other
Lines Directions

    1. Horizontal  Lines: These lines are parallel to the horizon.  They align to the face of earth always. They show calm, peaceful, quiet, relaxed and comfortable environments.  These lines never join or  cross path.
    2. Vertical Line:  These lines are always 90o from the horizon, going right up to the sky. They show future energy, if they happen to fall down. Can convey stability and strength.
    3. Diagonal Lines: These lines are at an angle, giving impression of rising and falling effects. Can suggest directions and movements and angles.  They can create feelings of rising, falling, action, motion, tension, excitement, slow/fast actions. 
Contour & Gesture Lines
Contour drawings are used to show outlines and shapes. Gesture lines are used to show movements(angles), weights and postures

02) Shapes  

Shapes are two dimensional including width, height and coverage, but does not include depth. These are closed shapes with enclosed areas.

Types of Shapes

  1. Geometrical  shapes :  These are man made artificial shapes which are shown by types of houses, types of buildings, types of items, utilities, equipment…etc.
  2. Organic shapes :These are taken from the natural sources of the universe. Stones, trees, flowers, leaves, sea weeds/ animals/plants/shells, fruits…etc.
  3. Positive Shapes : Shows solid strength and long lasting features.
  4. Negative shapes :These show the space around the positive space.
  5.  Static  shapes& Dynamic shapes :Static means shapes which are stable and non-moving, Dynamic means shapes which are moving and active.



 

 

 





03) Form

A form can show a three dimensional view. It consists width, height and depth, forming 3D Views. It gives a feeling of a real object/picture.

 









04) Value

Is the lightness or darkness of a line, shape or form. It can be within the ranges of Black and White covering all value ranges in-between. The application of value to an art can be simply called as ‘shading’.

 









05)Texture

Means the quality of the surface. How you may feel or appear to feel. When you touch and really feel the surface it’s called ‘actual texture’ . If look at a surface and get a feeling or understanding of it without touching, it’s called ‘implied texture’


06) Space



Is the illusion depth or space on a flat surface of a picture or artwork. Space brings the real natural 3D look to the object or artwork on a 2D page. It can show closeness, far away-ness, above, bellow feelings which are directly connected to space. Indirect effects to create space can be size value, placement position, overlapping, details, color combinations, shading and linear concept within the object/drawing.
The following picture show many aspects of achieving the effect of depth, far ness, close ness, over and under, freeness, calmness…etc.


07) Perspective

 

Design Element Perspective- Linear Perspective:

These pictures/objects use vanishing lines by managing size and distance to show and object’s real size change with the respective distance and space.

08) Color

Couloir is visible by the property of light wavelength, when it’s released or reflected.