ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF SCENIC DESIGN

THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

  • Line
  • Shape
  • Direction
  • Size & Scale
  • Texture
  • Value
  • Color

    CHARACTERISTICS OF A LINE

    Path: Where is it onstage? What is its purpose? Where is it leading? Where is it going? Is it not going anywhere? Does that tell a story?

    Thickness: How big is it? How wide is it? How does it's size compare with other lines onstage? Does the thickness change the mood? Is there a significance behind the weight of the line?

    Continuity: Is it consistent? Does it stay the same throughout the design? Does it vary? Is the line constantly changing? What does that mean. What kind of a feel does this give off?

    Sharpness: Are there sharp lines and angels and/or soft curved lines. How does that change the feel of the play. Does that make the audience feel a particular way?

    Contour: Does it outline something? Does it create a shape? How does this assist in telling the story?

    Consistency. Are there a lot of lines? Are there a lot of the same lines or are they all different? 

    Length: Are they short of long. How far do they stretch?

    SHAPE

    • A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form.
    • The area around the shape can be considered negative space.

    DIRECTION

    • All lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical, or Oblique (slanted)
      • Horizontal Lines: Suggests calmness, stability, and tranquility.
      • Vertical Lines: Gives a feeling of balance, formality, and alertness.
      • Oblique (slanted) Lines: Suggests movement and action.

    SIZE & SCALE

    • Size is the relationship of the area occupied by one shape in relation to another.

    Texture

    • Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft, hard, glossy, etc.

    Value

    • The lightness or darkness of a color or object
      • Tint: The addition of white to a color
      • Neutralize: The addition of gray to a color
      • Shade: The addition of black to a color

    Color

    • Indicates its position in the spectrum of on the color wheel
      • Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue
      • Secondary Colors: Orange, Green, Violet
    • Also known as hue.

    Color Schemes

    • Monochromatic: A single color with different values.
    • Analogous: Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
    • Complementary: Colors that are on the opposite side of the color wheel.
    • Triad: Colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel.
    • Neutral: Colors that appear to have no hue. Faded colors.
    • Warm: The side of the color wheel that is comprised of reds, yellows, oranges and yellow-greens.
    • Cool: White, gray, blue and green (think calming blue waters)

    The PRINCIPLES of Design

    Balance

    Gradation

    Repetition

    Contrast

    Harmony

    Emphasis

    Unity

    Balance

    • Symmetrical Balance
      • Visual units are arranged to create a sense of equilibrium without repeating identical units with respect to a central line.
    • Asymmetrical Balance
      • Having party that do not corresponding to one another in shape, size, or arrangement.

    Gradation

    • A change in an element in regards to itself or the overall composition.
      • Linear perspective
        • Gradation of slice and direction
      • Aerial Perspective
        • Gradation from warm to cool and from dark to light.
    • Gradation can add interest and movement to a shape.

    Repetition

    • One object or shape repeated.
      • Pattern
        • A combination of elements or shapes repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement
      • Rythm
        • A combination of elements repeated, but with variations
      • Repetition without variation can become boring.

    Contrast

    • The juxtaposition of opposing elements
      • Complimentary colors
      • Light vs. Dark
      • Horizontal vs. Vertical
    • Contrast is most often used at the point of interest in a composition

    Harmony

    • The visually satisfying effect of combining similar related elements.
      • Adjacent colors, similar shapes, etc.

    Emphasis

    • Can be applied to one or more of the elements to give it emphasis
      • It can draw attention to a singular point in an already monotonous or chaotic composistion

    Unity

    • Visually pleasing agreement among the elements of the design
    • It is the feeling that everything in the work of art works together and looks like it fits.