Web search for elements of design:  Results 1-20 of about 3,720,000.  Wow-mind boggling!  How is one to make sense of all the information out there.

This page is an attempt to help you sort through all of the millions of sites on the elements of design.  First, take the words separately.  An element is basically a part, a single unit whether it be in chemistry, English or the fine arts.  To design in its simplest form is to put together, arrange or compose.  Therefore, in the fine arts we pick and choose from the elements and put them together in a design.  Not all elements are required in a design but, often most are used in some form or other.
 
 

The elements are line, shape, form, space, color, value and texture.  Some educators will combine color and value since they are related and some will combine shape and form, also.  Most art educators use the seven separately, as I do.  Other design disciplines, such as interior design or graphic design, will also use different lists and definitions.  The following information is from the view point of fine artists or art educators.
 
 
 

Line:   Lines are a point in motion with one dimension length.  There are six types of line; horizontal, vertical, diagonal, zigzag, curved and implied (a dotted or dashed line).

Shape:
 

Form: Three dimensional enclosed space.

Space:
 

Color:
 

Value:
 

Texture: