‘Space’ Visual element of Graphic Design / Design theory Ep6/45 [Beginners guide to Graphic Design]

Gareth David Studio

25 Feb 201605:22

Summary

TLDRThis beginner's guide to graphic design explores the fundamental visual elements that form the basis of design. It delves into the concept of space, distinguishing between positive and negative space, and their roles in shaping a design's composition. Techniques like proximity, overlap, opacity, light and shadow, and perspective are discussed to create visual dynamics and depth. The video encourages viewers to consider how these elements can be utilized to establish a focal point, balance, and tone in their designs, setting the stage for the next topic on form.

Takeaways

🎨 Graphic design is a visual art that involves arranging visual elements to convey an idea.
🔍 The basic visual elements of graphic design include line, color, shape, texture, space, form, and typography.
📐 Space is a key visual element that contributes to the visual essence and dynamics of a composition.
📊 Positive space refers to the shapes of objects and is often the main focus of a design, while negative space is the empty space that frames and contains the composition.
🔄 Negative space is crucial for avoiding visual clutter, balancing compositions, and directing viewer focus.
🧩 The arrangement of shapes within a composition determines the creation of positive and negative space.
🔬 In two-dimensional design, techniques like proximity, overlap, opacity, light, shadow, and perspective can create visual dynamics and depth.
🔄 Proximity indicates the distance between shapes and suggests relationships, while overlap creates a sense of depth by making one shape appear on top of another.
👁️ Opacity can affect the perception of dominance and order, with transparent elements blurring the distinction between positive and negative space.
🌞 Light and shadow can give objects a three-dimensional appearance and suggest spatial relationships.
🌆 Perspective is achieved by manipulating shapes to mimic real-life appearances, affecting how elements are perceived in terms of depth and order.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this Beginner's Guide series to graphic design?
-The purpose of this series is to provide an introduction to graphic design, covering topics such as what graphic design is, the skills needed to be a graphic designer, design theory, education, equipment, portfolio creation, and interview advice, suitable for anyone interested in graphic design at any level.
What are the basic visual elements that make up graphic design?
-The basic visual elements of graphic design include line, color, shape, texture, space, form, and typography.
What is the role of space as a visual element in graphic design?
-Space in graphic design creates the visual essence and dynamics of a composition, and it is divided into positive and negative space, both of which play integral roles in the design.
What is positive space in graphic design?
-Positive space refers to the shapes of objects and is usually considered the main focus of the page, which can be perceived as two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
What is negative space in graphic design and why is it important?
-Negative space is the white or empty space in a design, which is just as integral as the positive space. It is important because it helps frame and contain a composition, connects or disconnects shapes to suggest relationships, and avoids visual clutter, contributing to a clean and balanced design.
How does the arrangement of shapes within a composition create positive and negative space?
-The arrangement and visual appearance of shapes within a composition determine the positive and negative space. Techniques such as proximity, overlap, opacity, light, shadow, and perspective can be applied to shapes to create visual dynamics and depth.
What is proximity in design and how does it relate to shapes?
-Proximity in design is the distance shapes are from one another, which can suggest relationships between shapes and influence the perception of their arrangement.
Can you explain the effect of overlap in two-dimensional design?
-Overlap is when shapes are arranged to appear on top of each other, creating an illusion that makes the top element look closer to the observer and adds depth to the composition.
How does opacity affect the perception of elements in a design?
-Opacity is the effect where objects appear transparent. Different degrees of opacity can make elements appear heavier or lighter, suggesting dominance and order of closeness in a space, and blurring the barriers between positive and negative space.
What role do light and shadow play in creating a three-dimensional look in design?
-Light and shadow can give objects a three-dimensional look by creating the illusion that an object is on top of another and suggesting the distance between them.
How is perspective achieved in graphic design?
-Perspective is achieved through the arrangement, creation, and manipulation of shapes to mimic real-life appearances, where shapes appear smaller the further away they get. It can also be created using relative sizes of objects, overlapping, and the blurring and sharpening of objects.
What can positive and negative space be used for in design?
-Positive and negative space can be used to create a focal point, establish balance, set a visual tone, and define the look and feel of a design.
Where can viewers find visual examples discussed in the video?
-Visual examples discussed in the video can be found in the downloadable PDF document accompanying the series, with the link provided in the video description.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Graphic Design Elements

This paragraph introduces the series on graphic design for beginners, covering what graphic design entails, the skills needed, theory, education, equipment, portfolio creation, and interview tips. It emphasizes the importance of visual elements like line, color, shape, texture, space, form, and typography in design work across various mediums. The speaker also mentions a downloadable PDF with visual examples and introduces the topic of 'space' as a key visual element in graphic design.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Graphic Design

Graphic Design is the process of visual communication and problem-solving using one or more elements such as typography, photography, and illustration. It is the art of combining these elements to create a visual representation of ideas and experiences. In the video, graphic design is the central theme, with a focus on the elements and principles that make up effective design work, such as line, color, shape, texture, space, form, and typography.

💡Visual Elements

Visual elements are the fundamental components that designers use to create visual compositions. They include line, color, shape, texture, space, form, and typography. In the script, these elements are described as the building blocks of design, essential for conveying ideas and creating aesthetically pleasing layouts in various media like magazines, posters, websites, and advertisements.

💡Space

In the context of graphic design, space refers to the areas within a composition that are occupied by visual elements (positive space) and those that are not (negative space). The script discusses how space contributes to the visual essence and dynamics of a design, emphasizing the importance of both positive and negative space in creating a balanced and effective layout.

💡Positive Space

Positive space in design is the area occupied by the main shapes or objects within a composition. It is often the primary focus of the viewer's attention. The script explains that positive space can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional and is crucial for conveying the main message or subject of the design.

💡Negative Space

Negative space is the area around or between the positive shapes in a design, often referred to as white space or empty space. The script highlights the role of negative space in framing and containing compositions, suggesting relationships between shapes, and avoiding visual clutter, thus helping to balance the design and direct the viewer's focus.

💡Proximity

Proximity in design refers to the spatial relationship between elements, indicating how close or far they are from each other. The script uses proximity to explain how elements can suggest relationships and groupings, which is essential for organizing information and guiding the viewer's eye through the design.

💡Overlap

Overlap is a design technique where elements are arranged to appear one on top of the other. As mentioned in the script, this creates a visual hierarchy and can give the illusion of depth, making the top element appear closer to the viewer and enhancing the composition's three-dimensionality.

💡Opacity

Opacity in graphic design pertains to the transparency of objects, where elements can range from fully transparent to fully opaque. The script explains how varying degrees of opacity can affect the perception of dominance and order, as well as create visual dynamics by blurring the boundaries between positive and negative space.

💡Light and Shadow

Light and shadow are used in design to give objects a three-dimensional appearance and to create depth. The script discusses how shadow can suggest that an object is on top of another and indicate the perceived distance between elements, contributing to the overall sense of space within a two-dimensional design.

💡Perspective

Perspective in design is the representation of how objects appear to recede into the distance, becoming progressively smaller. The script describes how perspective can be achieved through the arrangement of shapes, the use of relative sizes, and the blurring and sharpening of objects to create a realistic depth effect in a composition.

💡Focal Point

A focal point is the area in a design that draws the viewer's attention. The script mentions using positive and negative space to create a focal point, which is essential for guiding the viewer's gaze and emphasizing the most important aspects of the design.

Highlights

Introduction to the Beginner's Guide series to graphic design covering various aspects from theory to practical advice.

Graphic design is defined by its visual elements, which are the building blocks of design.

The basic visual elements of graphic design include line, color, shape, texture, space, form, and typography.

Visual elements are crucial in any graphic design work, be it for magazines, posters, websites, or advertisements.

The video focuses on space as a key visual element in graphic design.

Visual examples are provided in a downloadable PDF document linked in the description.

Space in design is divided into positive and negative space, both contributing to the visual essence and dynamics of a composition.

Positive space is associated with the main focus of the page, often perceived as two or three-dimensional shapes.

Negative space is the empty space that frames and contains a composition, playing an integral role in design.

Negative space helps avoid visual clutter, balances compositions, and focuses the viewer's attention.

The arrangement and visual appearance of shapes within a composition determine positive and negative space.

Proximity, overlap, opacity, light, shadow, and perspective are techniques used to create visual dynamics in two-dimensional design.

Proximity suggests relationships between shapes based on their distance from one another.

Overlap creates an illusion of depth, making the top element appear closer to the observer.

Opacity can make elements appear transparent, suggesting dominance and order of closeness in a space.

Light and shadow give objects a three-dimensional look and suggest spatial relationships.

Perspective is achieved through the manipulation of shapes to create a realistic depth effect.

Positive and negative space can be used to create a focal point, balance, and set a visual tone in design.

The next video in the series will discuss form as a visual element in graphic design.