Design Descriptive Words & Terminology
Helpful words to describe your design project
If you are asked to describe the design project you want us to develop for you, and you are having a difficult time coming up with a descriptive word, use the handy lists below. It can help convey many of the design elements graphic artists work in every day.
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Other Helpful Design References:
- general descriptive word chart. - If you need other descriptive words (for instance when writing your content)
- design terminology dictionary! - If you have heard a design term or abbreviation that you are unfamiliar with
Chart of Descriptive Design Words and Terms:
LINE
actual
blurred
broken
contour
controlled
curved
diagonal
freehand
fuzzy
horizontal
implied
interrupted
meandering
patterned
ruled
short
straight
thick
thin
vertical
wide
TEXTURE
actual
bumpy
corrugated
flat
furry
gooey
leathery
prickly
rough
sandy
shiny
simulated
smooth
soft
sticky
tacky
velvety
wet
SHAPE/FORM
amorphous
closed
distorted
flat
free
form
geometric
heavy
isomorphic
light
linear
massive
nebulous
open
organic
COLOR
brash
bright
calm
clear
complementary
contrasting
cool
dull
dusty
exciting
garish
grayed
monochromatic
multicolored
muted
pale
polychromatic
primary
saturated
secondary
subdued
tertiary
tinted
triad
vibrant
warm
VALUE
dark
light
medium
opaque
transparent (what percentage?)
SPACE
ambiguous
background
closed
deep
flat
foreground
middleground
open
positive/negative
shallow
three dimensional
two dimensional
Chart of Descriptive Words to Use in a Formal Analysis of Art
The following words might help too. They are also great to review prior to going to an art museum - you really know your art!
ELEMENTS OF
ART
Line
blurred
broken
controlled
curved
diagonal
freehand
horizontal
interrupted
geometric
meandering
ruled
short
straight
thick
thin
vertical
wide
PRINCIPLES OF ART
balance
contrast
emphasis
harmony
pattern
repetition
rhythm
unity
variety
THEMES IN ART
adoration
children
circus
cityscape
earth, air, fire, water
farming festivals
gardens
grief
history
hunting
landscape
love
music
mythology
of historic occasions
portraiture
processions
religion
seascape
storytelling
theater
war
STYLE OR PERIOD
abstract
classical
genre
historical
literary
naïve
narrative
nonobjective
primitive
realistic
romantic
Renaissance
Pop
Op
Modern
Abstract Expression
MEDIA (MATERIALS)
Two-Dimensional
chalk
colored pencil
conte
egg tempera
found materials
gouache
ink
oil
pastel
pencil
photograph
print
tempera
vine charcoal
watercolor
THREE-DIMENSIONAL
bronze
clay
fibers
found materials
marble
metal
mixed media
papier-mâché
plaster
stone
wood
TECHNIQUE
architecture
batik
carving
ceramics
collage
crafts
glassblowing
jewelry making
metalwork
modeling
mosaics
painting
photography
printmaking
repousse
sculpture
weaving
If you find these lists helpful, why not show your appreciation with a small donation? Buy me a cup of coffee! If you found them to be exceptionally helpful, a week's worth of groceries would be nice! Any help to continue displaying this content is appreciated.
