[Tutorial] Introduction to design elements. Line

La Meditation by René Magritte. Oil on canvas, 1936. Private Collection.

In the previous part of this tutorial we learned about the point. Now, let's see what happens if we take a point and move it along a path. We'll have a line. Depending on the direction and weight of a line, and the variation in its direction and weight, a line can make a very different psychological impact on the viewer. For example, horizontal direction often translates as a state of rest, while vertical direction shows potential for movement. Diagonal directions show movement.

Pay attention to how we perceive lines in nature, and their psychological impact:

Tarfala valley, Sweden

Siberian tiger. Photo by Malene Thyssen

Lines are essential in showing the shape of the object in the minimal wire sculptures of Alexander Calder, showing just how much information simple lines can convey:

Medusa by Alexander Calder. Wire, c. 1930. Calder Foundation, NY

Lines are an essential tool especially with pen and ink drawings and engravings - methods where a line is the most convenient visual element. Here, lines can be combined to create textures and patterns. The hatching and cross-hatching techniques with pencil or pen are an example of this.

Detail, Portrait of a young girl by Alphonse Legros. Goldpoint on pink prepared paper, 1903.

Lines can be both explicit and implicit. Hand-drawn outlines are an example of explicit lines; and lines implied by pattern or texture change are implicit.

The thought which sees by René Magritte. Pencil on paper, 1965. Museum of Modern Art, NY

Lines are often used for symbolic representations and to convey verbal data - calligraphy being an example of the latter:

Japanese calligraphy from Meiji period by Gi Sensho Fujiwara Chika no sho.

Also in maps and floor plans to show directions, sizes and shapes of places and objects:

London tube map, central area. 1937.

And, of course, graphs, to visualize the correlation between numeric values:

Global warming visualized in the form of a graph by Nasa

We talked in the beginning of the article about reading the directional qualities of lines, now let's go in-depth with that.

Horizontal lines project a feeling of rest. You can see them used extensively in city architecture and permanent housing - while temporary housing - tents, yurts, etc. - often use diagonal or curved lines. This psychological model can be observed in the culture of nomadic people such as the Zulu nation of South Africa.

Vertical lines project a potential for movement, spirituality, and loftiness. Combined with horizontal lines, they convey stability. Vertical lines too dominate city architecture - think of them as walls to the horizontal lines' roof and floor.

Diagonal lines suggest movement and direction. The arrow sign and the play sign on multimedia players are an example of this.

Deep, acute curves suggest confusion, violence, turmoil. The waves of a storm, a volcanic landscape are examples of this.

Soft, shallow curves suggest familiarity, comfort, peace.

Nude by Gustav Klimt.

The way a line can taper, curve, jag, zigzag, etc, can be seen as a visual language of its own - unlike any other visual element.