Glossary of Design terms meanings

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Glossary of Design terms meanings

Glossary of Design
g = Terms used in class

KEY TERMS

Content: What is being depicted

Form: How it is being depicted.

Concept: What we intend to be depicted (the idea behind it)

Representational: Represents recognizable objects.

Abstract: Contains essential elements of recognizable objects.

Nonobjective: Does not represent recognizable objects.

FULL GLOSSARY

Abstract
Contains essential elements of recognizable objects

Actual space
The real space we have to fill our design. This space has defined dimensions.

Additive color mixture
The result of diffracted light reflected to our eye from a surface; color produced by light.

Aesthetic

Relating to the philosophy or theories of aesthetics; of or concerning the study of beauty.

All-over pattern
The pattern created when a shape or motif is used in a planned, predictable way.

Anomaly
Something that is noticed because it differs from its environment.

Approximate symmetry

A balance system in which our first impression is that of symmetry. Weight may be
identical but not mirror image.

Asymmetrical balance

(informal balance) – a balance system in which the visual weight of the elements on both
sides of the implied axis is equal. Most often, the elements cross over the axis.

Balance

Positive and negative shapes distributed in space by apparent visual weight to create
harmony.

Boundary line
A line that confines our visual attention. It may serve to separate areas.

Color interaction
The relative differences between colors as they react to one another in different
environs.

Color wheel
A reference chart for colors.

Complement
The color directly opposite a selected color on the color wheel.

Complex design
Complicated as opposed to simple. Many elements used so is harder to design and
comprehend.
Glossary of Design page 2 of 7

Composition

The way the parts are arranged in relation to the boundaries and other elements.

Content

What is being depicted in a composition.

Contour line
A line depicting the outer edge of a shape or group of shapes.

Contrast
The result of comparing one thing to another and seeing the difference.

Creative license
Same as “artistic license”; the designer’s choices interpret the problem’s solution without
abusing original requirements.

Crop

To cur off a portion of a shape.

Design
A visual, creative solution to a functional or decorative problem.

Device
A tool, trick, or way for effecting a purpose.

Directional line
A line or lines which direct our visual attention in a specific direction.

Elements

The parts, or components, of a design.

Emphasis

The main element or focal point; what the viewer’s eye should see first.

Formal balance

(symmetrical balance) – technically, a mirror image: elements on either side of the
implied axis have precisely the same shape, but in reverse – and having the identical
same visual weight.

Form
How the content is being depicted (medium, elements/principles, etc.).

Format

The shape and direction of our working or actual space. May be horizontal, vertical,
round, or the like.

Functional design
Design that is utilitarian; necessary.

Geometric shape

Usually man-made shapes that re precise, exact. Triangles, squares, circles, and the like.

Graphic design
Visual communication design for commercial purposes.

Grid

A network of usually straight lines placed at regular intervals.

Hue
A family of color; the pure state of a color.
Implied axis
A mental, psychological divisions of space. Usually centered, or perceived bilaterally.

Implied line
A perceived continuation of images or symbols that imply a line.

Informal balance

(asymmetrical balance) – a balance system in which the visual weight of the elements of
both sides of the implied axis is equal.

Intensity
The relative purity of a color; brightness or dullness.

Intent
What the designer or artist intended with the design; may not have content or message.

Intermediate colors
(tertiary) – colors produced by mixing a primary and secondary color.

Line

A mark longer than it is wide and seen because it differs in value, color, or texture from
its background.

Linear shape
An elongated shape that reminds us of a line.

Mass
Having volume or depth; takes up three-dimensional space.
Glossary of Design page 4 of 7

Medium

The kind of material(s) one is working with, such as pigments, film, fabric, pencil, steel,
and the like (plural – media).

Motif

A distinctive, recurring shape (or combination of shapes) or thematic element (in art or
literature).

Negative shape (Negative space)
The implied shape produced after two or more positive shapes are placed in a negative
(empty) space.

Neutral
The color resulting after two complements have been mixed to the point neither color is
evident.

Nonobjective shape

A shape often made accidentally or invented from another source. There is no recognizable
object involved.

Organic Shape

Shapes found in nature; sometimes called organic.

Original
A primary, inventive form of producing an idea, method, performance, etc.

Pattern

The repetition of a motif in either a predictable or random placement.

Perception
The individual response to the sensation of stimuli. Often cultural.

Placement
Location, situation, or juxtaposition of elements.

Positive shape (Positive space)
A shape or line placed in a negative or empty space.

Primary colors (RGB / CMYK)
Colors that cannot be produced by mixing other colors. Theoretically, all other colors can
be produced from the primaries.
Glossary of Design page 5 of 7

Principles
Ways the parts of elements are used, arranged, or manipulated to create the composition
of the design; how to use the parts.

Problem solving
A sequence of strategies for finding a solution to a problem.

Product design
The design of necessary, functional items in a society.

Proportion
The relative measurements or dimension of parts or a portion of the while.

Radial balance
Created by repetitive equilibrium of elements radiating form a center point.

Random pattern
A pattern effect because it is repeated shape or motif, but can be scattered or not
controlled as in an all-over pattern. Less formal.

Relativity

The degree of comparison of one thing to another. How does a compare to b; then what is
the comparison of a to c?

Repetition

The result of repeating or doing the same thing over and over.

Rhythm

A recurrence or movement. A visual path for the eye to follow; a visual beat.

Rhythmic devices
Systems of alignments in which to place elements to create a visual path.

Scale

The size of one shape or image compared to another to the space it occupies.

Secondary colors
Color produced by mixing two primaries.

Shade
A dark value of a color.

Shape

An image in space.
Glossary of Design page 6 of 7

Simulated texture
The real quality of a tactile surface being copied or imitated.

Space
An empty, negative area where our design will fit.

Space division
Space divided by the use of positive and negative shapes.

Subtractive color mixture
The result of pigments mixed together and exerting their force upon one another.

Symbolic line
A line or combination of lines that stands for, or reminds us of, something within our
realm of knowledge.

Symmetrical balance
Technically a mirror image. Elements on either side of the implied axis have precisely
the same shape, but tin reverse – and have the identical same visual weight.

Temperate colors
The apparent psychological or emotional state of warmth or coolness or colors.

Tension

Opposing forces, push – pull, yin –yang.

Tertiary colors

Colors produced by mixing a primary and secondary color.

Texture
The quality of being tactile, or being able to fell a rough or smooth type of surface.

Theory
The examination of information that often ends in a plausible assumption or conclusion.

Tint
A light value of color.

Tones
Neutral of colors; relative neutral scale.

Touch
To contact, adjoin.

Unity

The effect of all the principles being in harmony with one another, creating the feeling of
wholeness.

Value
The range of possible lightness or darkness within a given medium.

Variety

The changing of the original character of any element; diversity.

Working space
The space that reflects the actual space. The two may, but not always, be the same space.
This is the space we sued to solve our design problem.

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