Design Element: Line (page 1)

We adore chaos because we love to produce order. M.C. Escher

Line is a constant companion in our visual world whether in the form of lines on the road, lines painted on store floors to draw in shoppers, or lines that represent direction, detail, and topography on maps. Lines in an interface, as an example, separate columns and cells in a table or identify http: links. Lines organize, divide, and connect; they enhance readability by giving users directional cues.

The size, type, and placement of lines mediate user understanding of a design concept. Lines are straight, curved, narrow, thick, pointed, rounded, short, long, dotted, dashed, etc. Your decision regarding choice and combination of line(s) follows the design concept and its language. Think of the idea, concept, and language you hope to convey. What type of line in what position helps you to make your statement?

Off-balance lines visually convey language differently than horizontal, thin lines. Simple x-axis lines, surrounded by space, convey the language of comfortable, calm, familiar. Lines at angles convey action, uniqueness, and tend to focus the user more intently. Curved lines convey a more natural, flowing, and softer space. Combinations of different types of lines, combined with good use of whitespace, create interesting, contrasting shapes.

How do you interpret the lines in the shape below?

• a shape that conveys strength, direction, organization, may evolve to a theme for a bandwidth company, or
• a shape that communicates sunshine, gardening, working outdoors, may evolve to a theme for a small neighborhood nursery, or
• a shape that communicates division, politics, action, development, may evolve to a political association website, or

How do you interpret the lines in the second shape below?

• the variety reminds me of lines in a road. A potential theme may be road survey company, or
• the variety of lines and their narrow width remind me of a movie theater. A potential theme may be a cineplex, or
• the variety and shape of the lines remind me of the quilts my aunt used to make. A potential layout can be a quilting or needlework store, or

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Written by Kelly Carey. © great25.com.