An Introduction…
Intro to 2D Design is a required class offered at Fordson High School that is based on the Elements & Principle of Design and their uses in art. It teaches you how to understand how the Elements of Design relate to composition and the overall effectiveness of a visual image. You will also study and understand how the Principles of Design are used to organize composition in visual art works that you will create.
All in all, you will be able to learn how to purposefully use the Elements of Design, with a sprinkling of knowledge learned about the Principles, to make your projects more successful. Learning about Elements & Principle of Design will enable you to discuss the in’s and out’s your artwork(s) to the rest of the class like an experienced pro at a velvet painting expo at the Holiday Inn in Troy.
WHAT EXACTLY DOES “PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS OF DESIGN” MEAN?
Principles of Design are the laws of designing anything. Another way to explain it is that, in order to have a good design, you should consider using these principles to create the best design possible.
The Elements of Design are simply the things that are used to make a design.
THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRINCIPLES AND ELEMENTS WOULD BE THAT…
→THE PRINCIPLES ARE THE RULES YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW
AND
→THE ELEMENTS ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOU COMPLETE THOSE RULES FOR THE BEST OUTCOME.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO LEARN THE PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS OF DESIGN?
Everything you see has a design. When you describe something you see, you use words that tell about the lines, shapes, textures, and spaces etc. The elements and principles of design are important to everyone who works in the automotive industry, textiles and clothing, commercial & home interiors, woodworking, photography, landscaping, Metalsmithing (jewelry), architecture, foods, and the visual arts (illustration, painting, graphic design) just to name a few.
A lot of students think that art is not important to them in their daily lives and complain about having to take this class. I hear it all day long…
“Why do I have to take Intro to 2D?”
“It’s so stupid; this class is wasting my time.”
“I’ll never use this information outside of this class…”
Take a moment to think about it – you are consumed by it every-single-moment of your life. Even if you are sleeping, design is there…lurking in the dark corner waiting for you to….
No, no you silly goose…don’t be afraid…design isn’t a creeper!!!
Just understand the fact that someone designed the bed that you slept in. Do you think if the designer had not used the principles and elements of design that you would wake up rested? Probably not. What about the clothes that you are wearing; someone designed them. Girls, what about those flats that you HAD to get, but wore only two times before developing blisters so severe you couldn’t walk properly??? Yup, you got it…someone designed it and designed it in a way that your feet didn’t like them. How about the car that you ride in or drive to school every morning? Not only did someone have to design what it looks like from the inside out, someone had to design how it functions also. What would happen if the radio was located in the back of the car and the remote died? Would it be a good design before or after you crashed your car trying to change the channel just by chance that you’ll catch that new song…
Hmmmm, I feel as if you still don’t believe me? Let’s see here…thinking…thinking…
Oh!!! I know what I can use as an example to show you how important art is…what about the your precious little cell phone that you text your BFF with when you think I’m not looking. Tell me how many designs you looked at until you found the perfect case for your new iPhone? You probably had thousands of cases to choose from because …you know art and design isn’t important in the real world. And the best part is…the people who designed them actually get paid the big $$$ (Translation: $$$ = VIP money). I guess you should stick with being a pharmacist (instead of being an artist or designer) just like your parents want you to be.
Finally, chew on this piece of fleshy information…I want you to convince me that you have your “own sense of style”, that you are different than everyone else…explain to me that you and only you put together your “own” look that makes you, you. Well…where did you see it first, on the cover of a magazine or at Express on a mannequin in the front window?
So in reality, a designer – not you – had already created “your look” over a year ago. Not so cutting edge. Sorry, sometimes the truth hurts. 🙁
So basically it boils down to this…if you understand the design principles and elements, you will be more successful with your Intro to 2D projects which in turn will allow you to earn a better grade in this class. Hopefully you’ll begin to appreciate just how important designing and creating things are in this world and how you take them all for granted.
XOXO,
Ms. Patrick