Design Element: Line (page 3)

Angled lines, with spacing, may represent?

• the lines remind me of mountains and ski lifts. A potential theme may be a ski resort, or
• the lines remind me of mountains and wires. A potential theme may be a radio tower and radio station, or
• the lines remind me of knives. A potential theme may be a cooking store

These quick sketches are one example of why it is important to draw a concept on paper before going to the computer. Slight differences in line width, spacing, shape combinations, and placement allow the same style to communicate a different product. Many developers prefer to go to a keyboard than to a drawing book. In this case, all you need is printer paper, a ruler, and a black felt pen. The actual drawings can be small, it's the combinations and their subtle variations that you want to be able to quickly change and alter. Sketching five or six combinations for the same concept refines your idea and allows you to see one sketch in relation to others. This helps you to determine which is the strongest and solidifies continuing to develop one, or possibly two, sketches your choice. As a result, you feel more confident in the design as it progresses from shapes toward layout.

Line combinations

Interesting combinations evolve as a result of combining smooth, natural lines with angular, technical lines. Remember to keep in mind the design concept as you determine line shape and placement. As an example, if your key word adjectives are "clean, technical, and accurate" to describe a product combined with the words "supportive, friendly, and helpful" to describe a company and its service, you need to somehow portray both. A warm and fuzzy site doesn't emphasize the products' technical nature to the client's satisfaction. A crisp, high-tech site doesn't emphasize the company's sense of support and community to the client's satisfaction. Consider what each line communicates.

Think of metaphors such as connections, bridges, or networks, and try to convey these ideas with line. Don't revert to overused metaphors communicated with graphics of actual clasped hands or the ever-present globe. Instead, think of language, metaphors, and design concepts; and let lines convey their meaning.

In this sketch, angular lines support curved lines. The straight, horizontal portion of the curved lines conveys comfort; at a 90° angle to the left edge, the graphics speak differently. The curved ends are exaggerated in their curly shape and are supported by angular lines. Some whitespace shows and adds texture and dimension to the shape made from the sum of the lines. Think of what your overall shape represents and how each line communicates; the individual parts and the whole.

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Written by Kelly Carey. © great25.com.