Basics of Web Authoring and Design

Design Elements

Visual design is the use of imagry, color, typography, shapes, and form to improve user experience and enhance usability of your website. It is the various methods and theories that are employed to dictate how the surface plane will display the various HTML elements will be displayed over the world wide web.

Color

Color choices and combinations are used in visual design to differentiate items, create depth, add emphasis, or help organize information. Color Theory examines how different color choices can psychologically impact users.

Properties

- hue

- value

- saturation

Size

Size is the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.

Properties

- width

- height

Shape

A shape is a self contained area. It is created from two or more dimensional areas that stand out from the space around it due to a defined or implied boundary or due to contrast in hue, value, and texture. Every object (and element) is made of shapes.

Line

Lines are considered visual marks made or the edge created when two shapes meet. They connect two points and can be used to define shapes, make divisions, and create textures.

Properties

- length

- width

- direction

Direction

All lines have a direction. They can be used to create calmness, formality, action, and many more.

Properties

- horizontal: suggests calmness, stability, and tranquility

- vertical: suggests balance, formality, and alertness

- oblique: suggests movement and action

Texture

Texture is the quality of the surface of a shape, it is how a surface feels or is perceived to feel. You can create a texture that will become a pattern by repeating an element throughout your site. Texture can be created visually within a website to attract or repel interest to or from an element.

Properties

- rough

- smooth

- glossy

- etc.