Design elements - Line

About line

Design elements - Line

Line can show:

• length

• direction

• a flowing sequence

of smaller elements.

Lines are usually

made by strokes or

marks, or by the

edge of shapes or

forms.

Varieties of line

Design elements - Line

Lines can be:

• thick

• thin

• flowing

• jagged

• spiral

• vertical

• horizontal

• diagonal

• curved

• solid

• dashed.

Line can serve many design needs

Design elements - Line

Line can be used to represent:

• objects

• people

• places

• ideas

in descriptive or symbolic ways.

Design elements - Line

Line can be used to

describe the

appearance of an

object, for example,

a floor plan or an

evening gown.

Design elements - Line

Line can be used to

represent symbols.

Line can communicate

Design elements - Line

Line can suggest:

• emotions

• feelings

• ideas.

Design elements - Line

Horizontal lines can

suggest peace, rest

and calm.

Design elements - Line

Vertical lines can

suggest alertness,

strength and

formality.

Design elements - Line

Diagonal lines can

suggest energy and

action.

Design elements - Line

Curved lines can be

associated with

nature and flowing

movement.

Design elements - Line

Straight lines can be

associated with

structured

environments and

ordered and

controlled movement.

Line can appeal to our senses

Design elements - Line

Line can create

pleasing visual

effects or patterns.

Line can provide

structure in a design.

Line can be functional

Design elements - Line

Line can create the

illusion of movement,

flow or direction.

Design elements - Line

Letters are formed

by lines.

Design elements - Line

Line can define areas.

Design elements - Line

Line can unite or

divide areas.

Line worksheet

Design elements - Line

Teacher introduction (DOC) (PDF)

Student worksheet (DOC) (PDF)