006: WK 7 Blog Exercise: Basic Elements (1) in Relation to Web & Graphic Design

image taken from and made by

http://www.orangelabel.com/

Shape is the apparent design element used in this logo: "Tasta oh!" for a particular cafe in Barcelona. Two-dimensional circles are placed all over and there is also a bit of texture and color featured to give each individual circle a distinguished and unique look. Line for the text "oh!" is used as well. Circles are said to represent the visitors to its wonderful teas and pastries. Circles were an appropriate choice as they are usually defined to be endless, of warmth and protection so it gives off a rather calming effect. A square wouldn't have worked so well since it would've been too stiff with its straightness and workmanlike feeling a triangle would've created unneeded tension as it represents action and conflict.

image taken from and made by

http://www.orangelabel.com/

Lines distinguished by color is the apparent design element used in this logo for Quadplus, a telecom service. Quadplus offers internet connectivity and so these thick, curved two-dimensional lines define relationships to "get connected" so to speak. These lines with their dynamic movements can be said to be dots in motion depicting enormous energy that never sits still. It has as Dondis would put it, "direction and purpose" and the designer defines the lines used in this particular design to represent different information channels.

image taken from and made by

http://malionette.org/

Color is the dominant element in this layout designed by fruitstyle for livejournal users. Giving color to specific text - lines in this context are what makes this particular design unique. By giving only select areas of this design against the neutral white gives this layout emotion and character as it is said that color is given associative meanings. Meanings such as blue with the sky and ocean, green with nature, red for passion, and so forth. The text given color are links, to highlight their meaning and importance. In addition, these colors are rather bright, saturated and are of secondary hues, giving them more of an emotional punch, "highly charged with expression and emotion" Dondis would say.