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home > Graphic Design Articles > Elements / Principles > Basic Graphic Design Principles Part 1 Lines and Shapes

Basic Graphic Design Principles Part 1 Lines and Shapes

by Kelly Paal

This is part one of a two part article.....click here to read part 2. As a graphic designer, you need to know the principles of graphic design in order to design at your best. Knowing what the design principles are will help you implement the best layouts and help you become aware of what you have done wrong in your past designs. This article details information regarding graphic design as it pertains to lines and shapes.

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There are some very basic design principles that are important to know whether you’re a graphic designer, web designer, or even a photographer. Certain very basic design principles apply to all artistic fields and are necessary for the artist and valuable information for the consumer.

Graphic Design Principles - Lines (Line)

The world we live in is three dimensional but when we try to represent that world in art we use lines, a very simplistic way of trying to represent the three dimensional world around us. But by knowing how to use lines in art we can make a very good sometimes great representations of the world around us.

Horizontal Lines

Lines of Direction Horizontal a horizontal line usually represents a feeling of rest or relaxation, think of a puppy asleep on the floor. That is a horizontal line. Stability is also conveyed through a horizontal line, think of a table or a large building.

Vertical Lines

Vertical, a vertical line usually brings to mind strength and sometimes action. Think of a tall tree, its strong vertical line shows strength. A vertical line can show action especially when it’s compared to a horizontal line.

Diagonal Lines

Diagonal, a diagonal line always suggests movement. Imagine a football player running if you draw a line from the top of his head to his heel you will see a diagonal line. Diagonal lines always get our attention for the action they imply.

Curved Lines

Curved, a curved line can suggest many things. The curved line of a sagging roof can indicate weakness and a curved line of a dancers arm can indicate gracefulness.

Remember lines convey thoughts and feelings and every line you use in your design helps to convey your message.

Graphic Design Principles - Shapes (Shape)

Lines form shapes and from those shapes we get positive and negative shapes, or spaces.

Positive Shapes

Positive shapes are always the objects in an image or design. It’s important to pay attention to your positive shapes their size, placement, and their balance in reference to:

Negative Shapes

Negative shapes, these are always the shape formed from the space around your object. By paying attention to the balance of your positive and negative shapes you can make sure that your designs or images have good balance.

This is part one of a two part article.....click here to read part 2.

If you have some specific questions please visit my Photography Forum at: http://kellypaalphotography.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php and post your question there.

Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. She owns her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.