We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Elements of Design and Composition

Joshua Wilder Oakley

Explore the elements of design and composition with Udacity. Learn texture, space, balance, scale, and more. Enhance your art and digital design skills today.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

In this lesson, we will explore texture in fine arts and the digital art realm, creating depth and the illusion of a tactile sense through images, lines, shapes, typography, and layering colors.

In this lesson, we will explore the idea of space in art: foreground, middleground, background, and perspective. And we will learn to recreate depth using basic elements.

In this lesson, we look at balance and scale in composition: understand visual weight, create harmony through balance and counterbalance of elements, and explore symmetry and asymmetry in design.

In this lesson, we explored contrast and patterns in brand design. We covered various types of contrast and the components of patterns dot, line & grid, followed by creating custom patterns.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores elements of design, which is standard in fine arts and digital design

Taught by Joshua Wilder Oakley, who are recognized for their work in digital design

Develops skills in texture, space, balance, and contrast, which are core skills for design

Offer hands-on exercises to enhance learners' digital design skills

May require learners to have access to image editing software

Prerequisites may include familiarity with basic digital design concepts

Save this course

Save Elements of Design and Composition to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Elements of Design and Composition . These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Elements of Design and Composition will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Fine Artist

Fine Artists use various techniques and materials to produce original works of art. They may work in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. As an artist, your knowledge in texture, space, and composition will be vital. This course will help you produce artwork that is beautiful and has depth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fine Artist

Digital Artist

Digital Artists use computer software to create art using similar techniques as fine artists. They also use their skills to create digital images for websites, magazines, and other publications. As a digital artist, your knowledge in texture, space, and typography will be necessary to succeed. This course will help you produce digital artwork that is aesthetically pleasing and engaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Artist

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. As a graphic designer, your knowledge of composition, contrast, and scale will be useful. This course will help you create visually appealing designs that effectively communicate your message.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Web Designer

Web Designers are responsible for the visual appearance and usability of a website. They use their knowledge of composition, color theory, and typography to create websites that are both visually appealing and easy to navigate. As a web designer, your knowledge in space and balance will be useful. This course will help you create websites that are beautiful and functional.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Art Director

Art Directors oversee the visual aspects of a project, ensuring that the final product is visually appealing and consistent with the brand's identity. They work with a team of designers and artists to develop concepts, create prototypes, and manage the production process. As an art director, your knowledge of composition and balance will be important. This course will help you create cohesive and visually stunning projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Creative Director

Creative Directors oversee the creative aspects of a project, ensuring that the final product is visually appealing and consistent with the brand's identity. They work with a team of designers and artists to develop concepts, create prototypes, and manage the production process. As a creative director, your knowledge of composition and balance will be important. This course will help you create cohesive and visually stunning projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Interior designer

Interior Designers plan and execute the design of interior spaces, including homes, offices, and commercial properties. They use their knowledge of color theory, space planning, and furniture design to create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. As an interior designer, your knowledge of composition, space, and contrast will be helpful. This course will help you create interior designs that are beautiful and inviting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

Fashion Designer

Fashion Designers create clothing and accessories, using their knowledge of fabrics, colors, and trends. They work with a team of designers and pattern makers to develop concepts, create prototypes, and manage the production process. As a fashion designer, your knowledge of composition, contrast, and scale will be important. This course will help you create clothing and accessories that are both stylish and functional.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Designer

Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design outdoor spaces, including parks, gardens, and public spaces. They use their knowledge of plants, hardscaping, and landforms to create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. As a landscape architect, your knowledge of composition, space, and balance will be important. This course will help you create landscape designs that are beautiful and sustainable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Architect

Architects design buildings and other structures, using their knowledge of engineering, materials, and construction techniques. They work with a team of engineers and contractors to develop concepts, create blueprints, and manage the construction process. As an architect, your knowledge of composition, space, and scale will be essential. This course will help you create building designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Product Designer

Product Designers create physical products, using their knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and user experience. They work with a team of engineers and designers to develop concepts, create prototypes, and manage the production process. As a product designer, your knowledge of composition, space, and ergonomics will be important. This course will help you create product designs that are both visually appealing and functional.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers create products that are used in everyday life, such as furniture, appliances, and electronics. They use their knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and user experience to create products that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. As an industrial designer, your knowledge of composition, space, and ergonomics will be important. This course will help you create product designs that are both visually appealing and functional.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

UX Designer

UX Designers design the user experience for websites, apps, and other digital products. They use their knowledge of human-computer interaction, usability, and visual design to create products that are easy to use and enjoyable to interact with. As a UX designer, your knowledge of composition, space, and contrast will be important. This course will help you create digital products that are both visually appealing and user-friendly.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Motion Graphic Designer

Motion Graphic Designers create animated graphics for use in videos, presentations, and other digital media. They use their knowledge of animation, typography, and visual design to create graphics that are both visually appealing and informative. As a motion graphic designer, your knowledge of composition, space, and contrast will be important. This course will help you create motion graphics that are both visually appealing and effective.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphic Designer

Game Designer

Game Designers create video games, using their knowledge of game mechanics, storytelling, and visual design. They work with a team of programmers, artists, and designers to develop concepts, create prototypes, and manage the production process. As a game designer, your knowledge of composition, space, and balance will be important. This course will help you create game designs that are both visually appealing and fun to play.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Elements of Design and Composition .

Making and Breaking the Grid, Third Edition