The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor anticipated in 2012 that the graphic design business will grow by 13% from 2010 to 2020, with plenty of vacancies for newcomers due to its high turnover rate. Nevertheless, you must first understand the fundamentals before you can get your foot in the door. The line is vitally vital in graphic design, as it is in other visual arts. This basic tool is used by graphic designers to divide space, frame images, capture attention, and transmit information or emotion, all of which are important aspects of good design. A good read: The Five Line Types of Graphic Design
According to a mathematician, a line has only one measurement: its length. To be sure, there are undeniably a bigger number of employments of lines than what they fundamentally offer – as substance separator or limit as on account of print and web content. Whatever the line is made up, be it bended, dabbed, crisscross, or straight, it can adequately characterize components in visual representation lines and create a matrix framework, which is a foundation for plan design that aligns the movement of content on a page. Lines come in numerous assortments. They may:
- Be lengthy, short, or something in between
- Be slim and thick
- Smooth or rough
- Be persistent, requested, noticed, and spotted
- Alter the heading
- A shift in the degree of bending (bended Lines)
Most Common Types of Lines
Curved Lines:
Such lines bend in a way that prevents them from being perfectly straight. Many lines can connect and overlap to make patterns or designed groups, and they can be in any direction (horizontal, vertical, or nearly any other). Curves convey a fluidity that is difficult to achieve with other types of lines. Curves are broadly applied as decoration and as design dividers. Lines can be of the following types:
Circular: we usually think curve as a circle, it’s a basic shape of a circular curve and it can be open or closed.
“S” shaped: A vertical curve that resembles the letter “S” or its strings.
Spiral: The spiral curvature resembles a nautilus shell in shape. The form is in the shape of a big circle that curls inward and tightens with each spin.
Curvilinear: Dips and arcs are made by combining the outlines of circles. The resulting curve frequently has a symmetrical appearance.
Horizontal Lines: These are absolutely straight lines that extend from one side to the other. They’re only tools for artists to use to express things, feelings, and thoughts; the horizontal line replicates the horizon’s natural border. Horizontal lines are fantastic tools for splitting a picture in graphic design. Horizontal lines are frequently used to convey a sense of stability.
Vertical Lines:
These are completely straight up and down lines. Vertical lines can be used to divide space and create columns by splitting images. Horizontal lines that run side to side to represent stillness depict a reclining or sleeping body, whereas up-and-down, perpendicular vertical lines depict standing figures. This gives the art a more active or “alive” feel, and it could also indicate height and strength.
Diagonal Lines:
These are straight lines with vertical and horizontal axis. They generally act as dividers, but they also offer designs a sense of structure, or a sensation of dynamic movement or pressure, similar to their straight counterparts. Diagonal lines give the artwork a perspective and add depth.
Impacts of Lines
Let’s go through some of the impacts or functions of lines in design and how to use them to your advantage when creating graphics.
Texture:
Texture is primarily a visual element in graphic design, but it produces a physical illusion and continues to play an important part in the construction of all kinds of visual elements. The texture is a great tool for generating engaging and lifelike design projects and understanding it will significantly improve your design.
Dividing the Space:
The division of space is one of the most basic functions of a line. It’s tough for the eyes to understand a free-flowing design without any distinct lines or shapes, especially if the design has various colors, textures, or images. This challenge is solved by using well-placed lines to create firm edges that the brain can quickly translate and to divide the design into more manageable portions.
A-Line to Direct Traffic:
Lines do more than just divide space and create clarity; they also guide the eye. They act as visual guides to assist you to focus on the design’s main points of emphasis. Consider a design with a vibrant but formless background and text overlaid on top. As your eyes bounce across the background, looking for a spot to land, the text might get lost. Because the flowing script type lacks structure, even the lettering may be difficult to focus on. You can lead the eyes by using more straightforward writing, a simple lined border around the text, or both, the straight lines serve as visual signs pointing to interesting locations. To keep viewers engaged, even the most emotive designs must include some lines.
Conclusion
Graphic Design is a very vast field in this Digital Age. The line is one of graphic design’s most fundamental elements. The line is used to enhance style, increase comprehension, and create forms by functioning as a border around other design components or as a division between them. Lines are used to dividing space, lead the user’s eye, generate flow, emphasize design aspects, and organize all visual elements into forms. We don’t think about lines very often, but we use them quite a bit to deliver relevant goals to the user.