Texture refers to the surface quality of an object that can be perceived through touch or sight. There are real textures that can be felt and simulated textures that create the visual illusion of texture. Texture can have various qualities like smooth, rough, soft, or hard. It can be used descriptively or symbolically in design and can evoke different associations and memories for individuals based on their experiences. Texture appeals to multiple senses and can have functional or spatial purposes in design.

1. Design elements - Texture

2. About texture
Design elements - Texture
Texture is a quality experienced through touch,
sight or hearing.

3. Real texture
Design elements - Texture
Real textures are
those that we can
touch and feel.

4. Simulated texture
Design elements - Texture
Simulated textures
are illusions of real
textures which are
created using
elements such as
colour, tone or line.
Simulated textures
are experienced
through sight.

5. Food and texture
Design elements - Texture
Food textures are
experienced in the
mouth.
The mouth can feel
many different
qualities, for example,
firm, soft, creamy,
rubbery, crunchy or
crisp.

6. Qualities of texture
Design elements - Texture
Textures can have
many different
qualities. They can be
smooth, rough, soft,
hard, polished, prickly,
slimy or corrugated.

7. Design elements - Texture
Texture can be
descriptive, for
example, the
smoothness of
eggshells or the
roughness of timber.

8. Design elements - Texture
Texture can be used
to represent ideas in
symbolic ways.

9. Design elements - Texture
Smooth, shiny
textures can be
associated with
surfaces such as
metal and glass.
They can appear
cool, soothing and
calm.

10. Design elements - Texture
Soft textures can be
associated with
surfaces such as flesh
or fabric and can
appear warm.

11. Design elements - Texture
Rough, spiky or
prickly textures can
suggest danger or
aggression.

12. Design elements - Texture
Texture can evoke
memories and
strong nostalgic
responses in
individuals.

13. Design elements - Texture
Personal experiences
can influence the way
an individual responds
to texture.

14. Texture
Texture is a
surface’s
tactile
quality.
Tactile refers
to the
perception
of touch.

15. Texture
In design,
texture
appeals to
sight as well
as touch.
Words used to describe
textures:
Ribbed
Crinkled
Rough
Smooth

16. TextureTexture
• The surface quality of a material, asThe surface quality of a material, as
perceived by sight or touchperceived by sight or touch
– Smooth, coarse, waxy, rough, delicate,Smooth, coarse, waxy, rough, delicate,
velvetyvelvety

17. Texture

18. Texture

19. Texture can appeal to our senses
Design elements - Texture
Texture can create
visual or tactile
effects.

20. Design elements - Texture
Texture can appeal
to our sense of taste,
for example, a juicy,
soft orange; soft,
creamy cheese or a
rough, crunchy
biscuit.

21. Texture can be functional
Design elements - Texture
Texture can be
functional, for
example, the
smooth handle and
rough teeth on a
grater.

22. Design elements - Texture
Texture can create an
illusion of space.
Lightly textured areas
can create a feeling of
open space.
Heavily textured
areas can appear to
advance and fill space.

23. Design elements - Texture
Texture can indicate
freshness or quality in
food.

24. Texture
• The surface quality of an object or item
• Tactile
– How the object feels to the touch
– Can feel the variation in the surface
• Visual
– An illusion - how the object appears to feel
– Applied using line, color, & shading

25. Texture - Shiny
• Reflective
• Has more intense
color

26. Texture - Rough
• Make color look
darker and less
intense
• Generally less formal

27. Texture

28. Texture - Smooth
• Make colors appear
lighter and brighter
• Generally considered
more formal

29. Vertical Line
• Lends dignity
and formality
• Creates
feelings of
aspiration and
ascension

30. Horizontal Line
• Restful
• Relaxing
• informal

31. Diagonal Line
• Active
• Suggests movement

32. Curved Line
• Upward – lifts and
inspires
• Horizontal –
relaxed, denotes
gentleness and
femininity
• Downward –
sadness and
seriousness
• Small - playful