Critiquing Tools

Art Vocabulary

Negative Space - the area of a design that has been left blank (often intentionally) these area’s highlights and places emphasis on areas of positive space (Subject of design), the negative space of a design can also create  interest through its shape.

Asymmetry - The opposite of symmetry, asymmetric compositions are not equal on either side of a design, this is often seen in qualities of the design balance and hierarchy.
Palette - in art a palette could be a small or large group of colours used in a designs composition, palettes are often carefully chosen and help to convey the message of the design, i.e. cool, or warm, happy or sad.
Hierarchy - the arrangement of elements and principles of a design on a page, the hierarchy of a certain object determines its importance and relevance on a page.
Scale: exadurated - an exadurated scale will show and extreme use of mis proportioned content, this may be used to create asymmetrical relationship between elements of design.

Adjectives

Geometric - Strong, hard edged and man made lines and shapes.
Organic - free, flowing and natural lines made without restraint or measurement.
Shade - colour that has had black added to the original hue in order to achieve a darker tint of the original colour or hue.
Tint - colour that has had white pigment or value added to achieve a lighter tint of the original hue.
Vertical - Lines are very strong and imposing, very male in its approach.

Principles & Elements

Line - the basis that all elements begin, line is the most versatile of all elements, can be straight, curved, irregular, regular, thick, thin, strong or soft.
Colour - heightens the emotions and dimensions of a design, colour can give meaning and feeling to a design.
Texture - tactile and visual texture is the look and feel of design characteristics.
Shape & Form - shape is created by the convergence of lines, it is unlimited to amount of sides and surface area, form is created when tone is added to a shape, giving it a third dimension.

Stability - Compositions elements are arranged in an almost symmetrical manner, vertical and horizontal lines , shapes and directions are most prominent in a stable composition.
Dynamics - dynamics are the opposite of stability, elements are moving in diagonal directions often off of the page, this gives the implication and feeling of movement in the design.

Rythm - the repetition or alteration of graphic elements on a page, Rythm is the key to creating a successful pattern or texture effect.

Scale - the enlargement or reduction of elements in relation to each other or other elements on a page to contrast with each other.