The elements of design : Point, line, shape, form
CLICK EACH ELEMENT TO LEARN MORE
Form
Shape
Point
Line
Horizontal - Calm & Peacefull. The composition is at rest. Vertical – Imply strength, power, security, and stability. They can be uplifting Curved – Soft, directional flow, and restfulness. Too many tightly curved lines can be seen as chaotic. Diagonal – High energy, movement, and action. They can be overstimulating and create conflict. Click here to learn more about the psychology of lines.
Line A line is the connection of two points, a series of points, or it can also be considered the extension through a point. It can be infinitely small (connecting two adjacent points) or infinitely long (connecting two points at either end of infinity. The eye also perceives the intersection of two planes or shapes as a line. Lines may be straight, curved, angular, diagonal, zigzag, flowing, or circular. Lines can be bold and heavy, or thin and wispy. Lines are used in combinations – especially in architecture and interiors. Each type of line has meaning or evokes a certain emotion or feeling. For example, vertical lines are often used in churches to create an uplifting feeling, to give strength, and to point heavenward and represent spirituality. Lines can also be used in interiors to direct people to important locations.
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Shape / Plane / form
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When two or more lines are enclosed, a shape or plane is formed. Like the formal definition of line, shapes are also 2-dimensional or flat. When a shape is extended to be 3-dimensional, it is called a form. For example the shape of a square becomes the form of a cube when extruded to three dimensions.
When an artist is working in a 2-dimensional medium, such as drawing or painting, they are working with lines and shapes to complete their piece. In sculpture, interior design and architecture, however, designers use 3-dimensional forms to imply 2-dimensional lines and shapes. Forms of furniture used in combinations within a space can be appreciated as forms and as shapes when looked at abstractly. The negative space between the furniture can also be viewed and analyzed as both form and shape.
Shapes and forms can be categorized into a few main types: geometric, organic, and abstract. Abstract shapes are symbols that represent something else – an idea or concept, direction, or instruction (ie arrows, symbols on signage, etc.)
The Elements and Principles of Design
The Elements - point, line, shape, form, space, color, value, texture, mass, volume, motion, time
The Principles- scale, proportion, rhythm, pattern, contrast, emphasis, dominance, balance, harmony, unity
Form
3-Dimensional Shapes
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Point A point is the simplest of design elements. A point is a location in space and serves as a place of focus or area of emphasis. In geometry, a point is an exact position or location in space. It is one dimensional – not two-dimensional – so it has no size, no length or width, only a position. In art and design, points can be combined together to create lines, shapes and forms. An entire genre of art is based on the use of the point, called Pointillism.
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BDES 101 M1 Elements - Point Line Shape Form
Krista Nutter
Created on March 12, 2026
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Transcript
The elements of design : Point, line, shape, form
CLICK EACH ELEMENT TO LEARN MORE
Form
Shape
Point
Line
Horizontal - Calm & Peacefull. The composition is at rest. Vertical – Imply strength, power, security, and stability. They can be uplifting Curved – Soft, directional flow, and restfulness. Too many tightly curved lines can be seen as chaotic. Diagonal – High energy, movement, and action. They can be overstimulating and create conflict. Click here to learn more about the psychology of lines.
Line A line is the connection of two points, a series of points, or it can also be considered the extension through a point. It can be infinitely small (connecting two adjacent points) or infinitely long (connecting two points at either end of infinity. The eye also perceives the intersection of two planes or shapes as a line. Lines may be straight, curved, angular, diagonal, zigzag, flowing, or circular. Lines can be bold and heavy, or thin and wispy. Lines are used in combinations – especially in architecture and interiors. Each type of line has meaning or evokes a certain emotion or feeling. For example, vertical lines are often used in churches to create an uplifting feeling, to give strength, and to point heavenward and represent spirituality. Lines can also be used in interiors to direct people to important locations.
BACK
Shape / Plane / form
BACK
When two or more lines are enclosed, a shape or plane is formed. Like the formal definition of line, shapes are also 2-dimensional or flat. When a shape is extended to be 3-dimensional, it is called a form. For example the shape of a square becomes the form of a cube when extruded to three dimensions. When an artist is working in a 2-dimensional medium, such as drawing or painting, they are working with lines and shapes to complete their piece. In sculpture, interior design and architecture, however, designers use 3-dimensional forms to imply 2-dimensional lines and shapes. Forms of furniture used in combinations within a space can be appreciated as forms and as shapes when looked at abstractly. The negative space between the furniture can also be viewed and analyzed as both form and shape. Shapes and forms can be categorized into a few main types: geometric, organic, and abstract. Abstract shapes are symbols that represent something else – an idea or concept, direction, or instruction (ie arrows, symbols on signage, etc.)
The Elements and Principles of Design
The Elements - point, line, shape, form, space, color, value, texture, mass, volume, motion, time
The Principles- scale, proportion, rhythm, pattern, contrast, emphasis, dominance, balance, harmony, unity
Form
3-Dimensional Shapes
BACK
Point A point is the simplest of design elements. A point is a location in space and serves as a place of focus or area of emphasis. In geometry, a point is an exact position or location in space. It is one dimensional – not two-dimensional – so it has no size, no length or width, only a position. In art and design, points can be combined together to create lines, shapes and forms. An entire genre of art is based on the use of the point, called Pointillism.
BACK