VALUE {element of design}

the relative lightness and darkness of a form compared to other forms around it; one of the primary building blocks of a composition


-value is used to describe and understand form, by showing the way light would travel across the surface of an object in space

-it creates the illusion of dimension on a flat surface

Robert Mapplethorpe

     ...sharp contrasts in value can allude to hard, linear forms with distinct sides and edges

Vilde Form Terrain Rug

     ...whereas gradations in value can allude to soft, rounded forms

Giorgio Morandi

-value can also describe pictorial space, or the illusion of three-dimensional space (depth) on a flat surface

     ...high value contrast (dark next to light) comes forward in space

Rembrandt Van Rijn

    ...low value contrast (light next to light) recedes in space

-high value contrast can create a focal point in a composition

22 ad campaign

Leonardo da Vinci

-similar values scattered throughout a composition can move the eye through the picture plane

Pablo Picasso

-it is important to remember that value is relative, meaning our perception of it is affected by the values around it (light values look even lighter when surrounded by dark values, but can look dark compared to other lighter values)


     ...consider square A and B below...A looks significantly darker than B

     ...when in fact, they are the exact same value; only the values around A and B are different, which is enough to greatly affect our perception of them

     ...remember, value affects value