Basic Elements of Graphic Design: Line

Graphic design is always determined from the basic elements that make it up, line is one of these elements. To become a good graphic designer, you need to have basic intelligence, and basic drawing skills in relation to the sense of the aesthetic elements. This article will present everything about line.

Line in Graphic Design

1. Line: The definition and it used in Graphic Design

Line Definition

Line definition according to Lexicon Graphica is a long thin two-dimensional objects. While Lillian Gareth (Visual Design, 1986) defines the line as a set of points that will stand long dimension when aligned, the figure is called a line.

Line is points movement that leaves its mark so formed a scratch. To cause scars, usually using pencils, pens, brushes and more. In the field of visual arts elements of line has a fundamental function, so it is described as the heart of art. The lines are often referred to as contours, a vague word and rarely used.

Using Line in Graphic Design

The importance of the line as an element of art has been seen since ancient times. Our ancestors have been using the line as a medium of expression of art that can be found on the walls of ancient caves. They use lines to form their ritual objects. For example, there is a painting on cave walls of Lascaux in France, Leang-leang in Sulawesi, Altamira in Spain and many more. In addition to the form of paintings, our ancestors have used the line as a medium of communication, such as letters nail relic nation Phoenicia (12-10 BC) which form scratches. Besides it's potential as forming the contour lines, it is also an element to express the motion and shape. Both forms of two and three-dimensional.

Here are some examples of the application of the line in various graphic design products:


source: http://www.behance.net/kommunikat


source: http://www.behance.net/leondijkstra


source:http://www.behance.net/mikehung

2. Line: context

context or atmosphere that is created from a line occurs because the stimulation of the simplest forms that we often see around us. An example is when we saw the line-shaped 'S', or more commonly referred to as the 'line of beauty' then we will feel something soft, smooth and supple.

Furthermore, the lines corresponding characteristic functions are able to form a symbol that has a special meaning, and strongly support its use as a symbol. The use of the line as a symbol was first introduced by Otto Neurath (1882 - 1945), a teacher and a social scientist who named it as Isotype. Then the language of 'Isotype' has evolved and eventually became one of the pictorial language that can represent different forms of communication. In its development, the forms of symbols has been widely used for designing the logo in an attempt to be easy to remember and have good communication power.