WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:01.979 --> 00:00:08.799 The fundamentals of design are the basis of every visual medium, from fine art… to modern 00:00:08.799 --> 00:00:16.520 web design… even small details, like the fonts that make up most compositions. 00:00:16.520 --> 00:00:19.050 What do these examples have in common? 00:00:19.050 --> 00:00:26.589 Some very basic elements, including line, shape, form, texture, and balance. 00:00:26.589 --> 00:00:31.169 They might not seem like much on their own, but together… they're part of almost everything 00:00:31.169 --> 00:00:34.610 we see and create. 00:00:34.610 --> 00:00:39.280 The fundamentals can be intimidating, especially if you don't consider yourself an artist. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:44.379 However, there's a lot they can teach you about working with different assets and creating 00:00:44.379 --> 00:00:46.430 simple visuals from scratch. 00:00:46.430 --> 00:00:52.899 Let's start at the beginning with one of the most basic elements of all… the line. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:00:56.140 A line is a shape that connects two or more points. 00:00:56.140 --> 00:01:01.530 It can be fat or thin… wavy or jagged. 00:01:01.530 --> 00:01:05.980 Every possibility gives the line a slightly different feel. 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:11.580 Lines appear frequently in design; for example, in drawings and illustrations… and graphic 00:01:11.580 --> 00:01:15.050 elements, like textures and patterns. 00:01:15.050 --> 00:01:21.700 They're also common in text compositions, where they can add emphasis… divide or organize 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:27.720 content… or even guide the viewer's eye. 00:01:27.720 --> 00:01:33.610 When working with lines, pay attention to things like weight, color, texture, and style. 00:01:33.610 --> 00:01:39.190 These subtle qualities can have a big impact on the way your design is perceived. 00:01:39.190 --> 00:01:44.280 Look for places where lines are hiding in plain sight; for example, in text. 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:50.470 Even here, experimenting with different line qualities can give you very different results. 00:01:50.470 --> 00:01:56.880 A shape is any 2-dimensional area with a recognizable boundary. 00:01:56.880 --> 00:02:01.990 This includes circles, squares, triangles, and so on. 00:02:01.990 --> 00:02:07.640 Shapes fall into two distinct categories: geometric (or regular) and organic (where 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:10.909 the shapes are more freeform). 00:02:10.909 --> 00:02:14.290 Shapes are a vital part of communicating ideas visually. 00:02:14.290 --> 00:02:18.120 They give images heft and make them recognizable. 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:25.049 We understand street signs, symbols, and even abstract art largely because of shapes. 00:02:25.049 --> 00:02:28.430 Shapes have a surprising number of uses in everyday design. 00:02:28.430 --> 00:02:34.420 They can help you organize or separate content… create simple illustrations… or just add 00:02:34.420 --> 00:02:36.560 interest to your work. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:40.950 Shapes are important because they're the foundation of so many things. 00:02:40.950 --> 00:02:48.019 Learn to look for them in other designs, and soon, you'll start seeing them everywhere. 00:02:48.019 --> 00:02:51.840 When a shape becomes 3D, we call it a form. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:57.159 Forms can be 3-dimensional and exist in the real world… or they can be implied, using 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:02.379 techniques like light, shadow, and perspective to create the illusion of depth. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:07.019 In 2-dimensional design, form makes realism possible. 00:03:07.019 --> 00:03:11.120 Without it, a bouncing rubber ball is just a circle. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:15.360 A 3D building is just a series of rectangles. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:20.639 Even flat designs use subtle techniques to hint at form and depth. 00:03:20.639 --> 00:03:25.590 In everyday compositions, the purpose of form is the same, but on a smaller scale. 00:03:25.590 --> 00:03:30.189 For example, a simple shadow can create the illusion of layers… or give an object a 00:03:30.189 --> 00:03:32.859 sense of place. 00:03:32.859 --> 00:03:41.209 Basic forms can bring a touch of realism to your work—a powerful tool when used in moderation. 00:03:41.209 --> 00:03:44.359 Texture is the physical quality of a surface. 00:03:44.359 --> 00:03:49.969 Like form, it can be 3-dimensional—something you can see and touch—or it can be implied, 00:03:49.969 --> 00:03:54.959 suggesting that it would have texture if it existed in real life. 00:03:54.959 --> 00:04:00.239 In design, texture adds depth and tactility to otherwise flat images. 00:04:00.239 --> 00:04:06.840 Objects can appear smooth, rough, hard, or soft, depending on the elements at play. 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:11.099 For beginners, textures make great background images and can add a lot of interest to your 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:12.099 work. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:17.850 Look closely, and you may find texture in unexpected places, like distressed fonts… 00:04:17.850 --> 00:04:20.810 and smooth, glossy icons. 00:04:20.810 --> 00:04:25.440 Just be careful not to go overboard—too much texture in a single design can quickly 00:04:25.440 --> 00:04:30.160 become overwhelming. 00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:35.160 Balance is the equal distribution of visual weight (in other words, how much any one thing 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:37.450 attracts the viewer's eye). 00:04:37.450 --> 00:04:45.040 Balance can be affected by many things, including color, size, number, and negative space. 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:49.500 Mastering balance can be tricky for beginners, because it does take some intuition. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:53.980 Luckily, the design world is full of examples that you can help you understand its different 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:56.280 iterations. 00:04:56.280 --> 00:05:00.790 Symmetrical designs are the same or similar on both sides of an axis. 00:05:00.790 --> 00:05:06.980 They feel balanced because each side is effectively the same (if not identical). 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:11.780 Asymmetrical designs are different, but the weight is still evenly distributed. 00:05:11.780 --> 00:05:17.290 The composition is balanced because it calls attention to the right things. 00:05:17.290 --> 00:05:20.750 Many people use a strategy called the rule of thirds. 00:05:20.750 --> 00:05:25.160 This imagines your work area divided into a 3x3 grid. 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:29.780 The focal point of the image is placed on or near one of these lines, creating visual 00:05:29.780 --> 00:05:32.581 balance with the rest of the space. 00:05:32.581 --> 00:05:36.950 We find this type of composition appealing because, according to studies, the human eye 00:05:36.950 --> 00:05:43.380 naturally follows this path when scanning a design. 00:05:43.380 --> 00:05:48.160 The fundamentals of design are all about the bigger picture—in other words, learning 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:53.180 to appreciate the many small details that make up every composition. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:57.830 This insight can be applied to almost any type of project, whether you're creating your 00:05:57.830 --> 00:06:03.890 own graphics… or just looking for simple ways to enhance your work. 00:06:03.890 --> 00:06:08.930 Thanks for joining us for the fundamentals of design. 00:06:08.930 --> 00:06:23.860 Check out the rest of our design topics, including color, typography, and more.