LINE:
Line is the most important of all the elements of visual design. Without Line, none of the other elements would exist. You and I would cease to exist. Planes, trains, automobile would also disappear. Why? Because we all have an outline.
A line is a mark made by a continuously moving point across a surface. There are horizontal, vertical, diagonal, round, curved, parallel, zigzag, and wavy lines…not to mention dotted lines and dashes. All these lines have the same thing in common: direction, length, and thickness.
All the above-mentioned lines are straightforward and easy to grasp, but what about ‘implied lines’? Those lines that are more of an ambiguous nature. For example, all the edges around ‘Form’ are implied lines. A statue of George Washington is George Washington because his outline says he is. What about the ‘horizon’ line that people are always forgetting to straighten?
The three lines that are important to think about are: Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.
VERTICAL lines give your composition a feeling of vertical direction, and they help to stimulate the viewer with feelings of strength, height, and dignity. Vertical lines generate Tension, and you can find them anywhere.
HORIZONTAL lines mimic the horizon and are at rest with our visual reality. Horizontal lines give a sense of calm, and they have the ability to divide a scene into layers.
DIAGONAL lines are the most energetic of all since they are neither vertical nor horizontal. Because of this they suggest movement and seem to be either falling or about to fall. Diagonal lines are powerful in that they can lead the viewer’s eye across the camera frame. The leaning tower of Pisa is a good example of a diagonal line that creates Tension.
Lines just can’t be beaten when it comes to creating emotion and adding depth to our imagery.
