FORM {element of design}

any three-dimensional object, or the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface


-the form (or dimension) of an object can be depicted through the use of cross-contour line, which follows the direction of the object's surface

Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Victor Vasarely

     ...imagine a piece of string wrapping around an object: the line of the string will describe the form as it turns in space


     ...curved lines will describe curved surfaces:

Victor Vasarely

Dollar bill detail

     ...straight lines will describe flat surfaces:

Sol Lewitt

-form can be depicted through perspective lines (diagonals), which suggest the length, height, width and depth of a form

Gustave Caillebotte

-form is often depicted through the use of value (the relative lightness or darkness of a color) which describes the way light would hit an object in space


     ...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