This document discusses the element of shape in art. It defines shape as a visually perceived area created by an enclosed line, color, or change in value. Shapes can be geometric, such as triangles and circles, or organic by abstracting aspects of real-life shapes. The document also discusses space as the area activated by other elements and how positive and negative space, or figure and ground, create a fundamental visual relationship in design. Balance is introduced as a principle of design relating to distributing visual weight in a composition to create a stable design through symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial balance. Examples of each type of balance are shown across art, architecture and graphic design.

1. ELEMENTS OF ART:
SHAPE
Module 3

2. ELEMENTS OF ART
• Line
• Shape
• Space
• Texture
• Value
• Color
• Type
• Form
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3. DEGREES OF REPRESENTATION
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Representational Non-Representational
Naturalism Realism Semi-Abstraction Abstraction Form Only
Shapes are incorporated within ALL images

4. SHAPE
A visually perceived area created by an enclosed line, color, or change in
value.
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Line Value Color

5. SHAPE’S MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
• Geometric - A shape that appears related to
geometry; such as a triangle, rectangle, square or
circle.
• Organic - A shape created by abstracting the
most basic and recognizable aspects of a real
life shape
and creating a simplified representation of it.
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Geometric Logo Shapes Organic Logo Shapes

9. ELEMENTS OF ART:
SPACE
Module 3

10. ELEMENTS OF ART
• Line
• Shape
• Space
• Texture
• Value
• Color
• Type
• Form
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11. SPACE
• Space is an area activated by other
elements. The space around shapes
have their own shape too.
• Positive shape and negative space
can also be referred to as figure
(shape) and ground (space) – this is
a fundamental visual relationship.
• Space can be considered both an
element of design, as well as a
principle of design.
Define
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12. SPACE
Examples
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13. SPACE
Examples
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14. FIGURE / GROUND
• Positive shape and negative space
can also be referred to as figure
(shape) and ground (space) – this is
a fundamental visual relationship.
• Figure and ground can enhance or
detract from each other, and
organizing the two in relation to each
other is one of the more important
aspects of design.
• It sets a context for how your design
communicates and how it will be
interpreted.
Define
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15. FIGURE GROUND RELATIONSHIPS
There are three types of figure-ground
relationships:
• Stable (top) - It’s clear what’s figure and
what’s ground. One or the other usually
dominates the composition.
• Reversible (center) - Both figure and
ground attract the viewer’s attention
equally. This creates tension, whereby
either can overtake the other, leading to a
dynamic design.
• Ambiguous (bottom) - Elements can appear
to be both figure and ground
simultaneously. They form equally
interesting shapes, and the viewer is left to
find their own entry point into the
composition.
Define
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16. FIGURE / GROUND
Examples
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17. FIGURE / GROUND
Examples
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18. PRINCIPLE OF DESIGN:
BALANCE
Advertising & Graphic Design
Rowan-Cabarrus Community
College

19. BALANCE
• Balance is the distribution of the
visual weight of objects, colors,
texture, and space. If the design was
a scale, these elements should
be balanced to make a design feel
stable.
Define
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20. BALANCE
• Balance can be symmetrical, where
components are mirrored along the
axis to create a centered and stable
composition
• Balance can be asymmetrical, where
components of carrying size and
weight are placed off center to create
a dynamic composition.
• Balance can be radial, where
components are mirrored along both
an X & a Y axis to create a round
composition.
Define
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21. Symmetry is a very
formal type of
balance consisting
of a mirroring of
portions of an
image.
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SYMMETRICAL BALANCE IN FINE ART

22. Bilateral symmetry, that is, two-
sided symmetry, is the most
common, in which two halves of
a work of art mirror each other,
as in Perugino’s painting, Christ
Giving the Keys of the Kingdom
to St. Peter.
In this painting, the symmetry
gives the painting not only a
sense of balance, but also a
sense of calm, stability, and
formality. Notice in particular the
way that the building and arches
in the background are painted to
make the work symmetrical.
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SYMMETRICAL BALANCE IN ARCHITECTURE

24. 24 CLASSICAL GREEK TEMPLES LIKE THE TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS AT

25. SYMMETRICAL BALANCE IN GRAPHIC
DESIGN
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ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE IN FINE ART

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29. ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE IN GRAPHIC
DESIGN
Examples
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30. When you think of
what designs to put
where in your image,
think of each object
resting on a teeter
totter.
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31. COMPARE
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32. RADIAL BALANCE IN NATURE
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33. RADIAL SYMMETRY IN ARCHITECTURE
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34. RADIAL BALANCE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Examples
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35. REVI
Assignment Four