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Line
There are several elements that are crucial to the process of design . In order to build a design , you must first gather your building materials and the first of these that I will discuss here is Line.
The line is one of the simplest elements. Simplicity however should not be mistaken for power or effectiveness.
A line can take on almost any form, dashed, dotted, fat, thin, curved, ragged, soft, grungy, etc.
How can we use Line?
To create direction – Line can suggest direction.
To create feeling- Try placing a single line either vertically or horizontally and center it perfectly within your page. What feeling does this single element convey? It relates to a comfortable existence in space. Try moving that line right or left or up or down slightly and rotate the line 30 degrees, what feeling do you get now?
To create organization- Lines leading to and from other images or elements on a page can help visually organize these items.
To create texture – many lines together can create texture, look at various types of hatching.
To establish a grid – use line to support or establish a grid such as in the use of type an columns.
To create movement – adding a simple ‘s' curve to a line can indicate movement.
Line can also be less obvious as a simple stroke or line, keep in mind what the edge of soft rolling hills against a clear sky can be…look for the subtle curved lines within. Strong elements in illustrations and photos may have lines within them, choose these images carefully and perhaps you can exploit these aspects to strengthen your design.
Remember that with all design elements Line needs to be examined closely within the design itself. Does the use of line reinforce your idea? Is the use of line extraneous and superfluous – if it is then remove the lines that are the offenders. Do the lines actually lead the eye the way you intend them?
Look for good examples of line, browse through some magazines or surf the internet for good design sites or examples of good artwork and study how the artist use line to reinforce, or establish their message.
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