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In this video we will cover Format, Line & Shape and how they are used in design.
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Welcome to
0:01
our second stage in Design Foundations,
where we'll learn the
0:05
importance of aesthetics, and why they are
so valuable to design.
0:09
In this video, we'll cover format, line
and shape.
0:14
All designs start off with a blank
substance, whether it
0:20
be a blank piece of paper or a blank file.
0:23
These raw mediums or spaces all have size
and shape, even if it's digital.
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This space is called the format of the
design.
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It's where everything is arranged.
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This could be two-dimensional or
three-dimensional.
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The format of the design can portray the
overall mood of the designer.
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Take a digital tablet for example.
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When we are in portrait mode, as opposed
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to landscape mode, we get two entirely
different layouts.
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This is due to the change in format.
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The format always needs to be considered
before we begin the design.
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Once the format is established, we then
are ready to design.
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Always keep in mind the format.
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Also, remember every two-dimensional
design has two
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parts: the picture plane and the frame.
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The picture plane is the space where the
design is taking place.
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The frame is the outer edge of the picture
plane.
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The frame specifies where the design
stops.
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The frame can be visible or implied.
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It can have a visual indicator, or a
contrast.
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We always want to start a design with a
format in mind and have the
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understanding that where the picture plane
ends and if the frame will appear.
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If you're getting ready to design a
website
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that is displayed on multiple devices and
screen sizes
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or formats, make sure to keep in mind the
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formats, so you can adjust for future
design layouts.
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Next up, we have line.
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One of the easiest elements of design to
understand, are lines.
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A line is a long, narrow mark or band
passing through a point.
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Before we understand a line, we must
understand what a point is.
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In most cases, the line has a beginning
and end point, where it starts and stops.
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The indication of the start and stop areas
are the points.
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The connection in between is the line, or
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long narrow mark, or band passing through
a point.
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You can have multiple points in one path.
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We now understand what a line is.
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Let's look at the different variations of
line and how
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we can use them to identify an
aesthetically pleasing design.
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Let's take a look at an arc.
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An arc is a line that has two points, the
start and stop points.
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But the line can bend away from the
points, then reaching the end point.
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When we're talking about the thickness of
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the line, we're talking about the line
weight.
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When we're talking about where it starts
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and stops, this refers to the line's
length.
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Now there's different variations to lines.
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There's organic.
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There's symmetrical.
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Then we have rough.
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And then a jagged line.
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We can also have line variety, which is a
mixture of these variations.
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When we create illustrations with just
using lines,.
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This is called contour lines.
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When dealing with lines, we can have
organized or unorganized lines.
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Also, we can use negative space to show
where a line may be.
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When dealing with graphic design, a lot of
designers use what we like to call a
3:50
grid, which is comprised of horizontal and
vertical
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lines crossing one another, that are
evenly spaced.
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These are called grids.
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We use these to line up specific objects
or whatever the subject matter may be.
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Lines can also form shapes as well as
textures.
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Next let's take a look at shapes.
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Shape is an external form or appearance of
something.
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Lines and points are the building blocks
of shapes.
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Also, incomplete contour paths can create
shapes.
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Let's take a look at a geometric shape,
versus an organic shape.
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Now let's take a look at how these
examples are in
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everyday life, like architecture and
furniture; even with our mobile devices.
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Knowing your format, or formats, prior to
design is crucial.
4:46
Now that we have a solid understanding of
what format, line, and shape are,
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and how they play a huge roll in design,
let's take a quick quiz.
4:55
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