2D design is a process of choosing visual elements and understanding the fundamental principles of art and design. A designer creates 2D designs with only 2 dimensions – length and width.
2D design is the foundation of graphic design and visual communication. It is about the arrangement of basic elements and principles to create visually pleasing designs.
Artists use these principles for self-expression, while graphic designers use them to provide visual communication.
2D design concepts are used between many artistic disciplines:
- Drawing
- painting
- Illustration
- photography
- video
- Graphic design
Elements of 2D design
Visual communication serves as a means of conveying ideas, information and emotions to the viewer. 2D design is widely used in digital art.
The goal of a graphic designer is to communicate as clearly as possible. In some cases, this may mean not using too many visual elements.
And what are the visual elements of 2D design?
All designs are composed of the following basic elements :
- line
- color
- shape
- texture
- space
Line
Line is a powerful element that can form a dominant emotion in the observer. Lines can be straight or curved, thin or thick, continuous or broken, vertical/diagonal/horizontal.
Lines define boundaries and space, create a sense of weight and volume, etc.
Color
Color stimulates both mental and physical reactions of the viewer. There are some responses associated with warm colors (red, yellow and orange) and cool colors (blue, purple and green). In general, warm colors are associated with active and exciting emotions, while cold colors usually evoke passive and calming reactions.
Color has 3 different properties: hue, saturation (chromaticity) and value (lightness or darkness).
Hue describes the wavelength of the color. There are colors classified as “pure hues”: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.
When you add saturation and value to a pure hue, you create new shades, tones and hues of color.
Shape
A shape is a closed two-dimensional space. The basic profile of a shape can consist of straight lines, curved lines or a combination of both.
There are 2 general categories of shapes: geometric and freeform.
Geometric shapes are regular and can be described in mathematical terms. Some examples are: triangles, squares, circles, ellipses, pentagons, etc.
Free-form shapes are more difficult to define because they are irregular and uneven. Some examples of freeform shapes are: clouds, butterflies, leaves, trees, stones, fire…
Texture.
Texture refers to the feel or appearance of a surface (how the surface feels to the touch or how it is perceived).
Tactile texture is the texture that can be felt by touch. Designers in 2D design use the second type – Visual texture. Visual texture is created on a flat surface and it is basically an illusion of tactile texture.
The texture of an object can look rough, smooth, soft, hard, silky, shiny, pebbly, etc.
Space
Space is the area around, above, below or behind an object. In 2D design, space creates the illusion of a third dimension. For example, in a 2D setting, space can be created by shadows, size, overlay, or a color different from the background.
Example: you can use size to create the illusion of larger objects appearing closer and smaller objects appearing more distant.
Principles of 2D design
The principles of good two-dimensional design guide designers through the design process. The goal is to create effective and aesthetically pleasing results.
Principles of 2D design:
Unity – provides a sense of cohesion
Balance – balance can be symmetrical (the 2 halves of the composition appear equal) or asymmetrical
Rhythm/repetition – repetition of visual elements
Harmony – a combination of similar or related elements
Accent – determining the most important visual center
Contrast – comparing one extreme with another
Proportion – one shape in relation to the size of another shape