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Line Color Form: The Language of Art and Design
“For those of us teaching higher education in art and design schools, Line Color Form is the answer to a problem so many of us How to help bright students, non-native and native speakers alike, who struggle to find words to express what they see.”--Yael Samuel, Otis College of Art and Design
In exquisite full color with a plethora of instructive visuals, Line Color Form offers a thorough introduction to design theory and terminology in a visually appealing and accessible format. This unique guide takes into account that design students today are more visually literate than ever before, and their learning style naturally favors the visual over the textual. So why should they learn art and design theory from a traditional textbook?
With hundreds of illustrations and minimal text, this primer was created with visual learners in mind, making it ideal for art students as well as those for whom English is a second language.
Each chapter focuses on a single aspect of visual composition, such as line, color, or material. After an illustrated discussion of fundamental vocabulary, the chapters move on to applications of the concepts covered. These applications are again demonstrated through images, including photographs, color wheels, significant works of art, and other visual aids. Each image is accompanied by a descriptive paragraph offering an example of how the vocabulary can be applied in visual analysis. The book culminates with a section on formal analysis, aimed at teaching readers how to express their observations in formal writing and critical discourse.
With its emphasis on the visual, this unique guide is a highly effective learning tool, allowing readers to gain an ownership and mastery of terms that will benefit them academically and professionally. Whether you are a design educator, student, or professional, native or non-native English speaker, this bright and concise reference is a must.
In exquisite full color with a plethora of instructive visuals, Line Color Form offers a thorough introduction to design theory and terminology in a visually appealing and accessible format. This unique guide takes into account that design students today are more visually literate than ever before, and their learning style naturally favors the visual over the textual. So why should they learn art and design theory from a traditional textbook?
With hundreds of illustrations and minimal text, this primer was created with visual learners in mind, making it ideal for art students as well as those for whom English is a second language.
Each chapter focuses on a single aspect of visual composition, such as line, color, or material. After an illustrated discussion of fundamental vocabulary, the chapters move on to applications of the concepts covered. These applications are again demonstrated through images, including photographs, color wheels, significant works of art, and other visual aids. Each image is accompanied by a descriptive paragraph offering an example of how the vocabulary can be applied in visual analysis. The book culminates with a section on formal analysis, aimed at teaching readers how to express their observations in formal writing and critical discourse.
With its emphasis on the visual, this unique guide is a highly effective learning tool, allowing readers to gain an ownership and mastery of terms that will benefit them academically and professionally. Whether you are a design educator, student, or professional, native or non-native English speaker, this bright and concise reference is a must.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
95 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 20, 2019
Great primer on art
The author takes a very structured approach to understanding and interpreting art. A great place for any beginner to start.
The author takes a very structured approach to understanding and interpreting art. A great place for any beginner to start.
August 21, 2022
This is an interesting short book for new students of art and design or people who just want to know more about how to think and speak about these subjects.
As an introductory work on art, it’s somewhat like Aaron Copland’s (1957) What to listen for in Music. Copland covers fundamental musical topics such as rhythm, melody, harmony, and tone color. Day likewise has chapters about line, color, composition, and material. But Day’s book is far more visually oriented: it is chock-a-block with diagrams, reproductions of artworks, design objects, and photographs.
The other thing that’s different about Day’s book is that it has a chapter on formal analysis and an appendix of useful terms and expressions. At this point, the book is something more like Michael Shuster’s (2000) Essential Winetasting. Shuster’s book helps you to write tasting notes and wine reviews. In his last two sections, Day focuses on using the four previous chapters as a frame for thinking about a piece of art or design you have experienced. He gives you tools to help you organize your thinking and give context to your reactions. How can you write about your experiences and express something your views on the quality of the work?
It’s nicely illustrated. All and all, for a short and sweet work, I found it useful and stimulating.
As an introductory work on art, it’s somewhat like Aaron Copland’s (1957) What to listen for in Music. Copland covers fundamental musical topics such as rhythm, melody, harmony, and tone color. Day likewise has chapters about line, color, composition, and material. But Day’s book is far more visually oriented: it is chock-a-block with diagrams, reproductions of artworks, design objects, and photographs.
The other thing that’s different about Day’s book is that it has a chapter on formal analysis and an appendix of useful terms and expressions. At this point, the book is something more like Michael Shuster’s (2000) Essential Winetasting. Shuster’s book helps you to write tasting notes and wine reviews. In his last two sections, Day focuses on using the four previous chapters as a frame for thinking about a piece of art or design you have experienced. He gives you tools to help you organize your thinking and give context to your reactions. How can you write about your experiences and express something your views on the quality of the work?
It’s nicely illustrated. All and all, for a short and sweet work, I found it useful and stimulating.
June 17, 2022
A super basic book that any designers should read. :))
December 24, 2020
Good introduction to the language of art
August 6, 2023
Basic and good
June 27, 2024
I’m not likely to use the information in this book regularly, but I did enjoy how it broke down different visual concepts in art and easily introduced vocabulary to the reader.
May 11, 2014
This book is wonderful when it comes to learning all about colors and its impact on us (our moods and emotions). The various ways an artist can use line and form to create all kinds of compositions to achieve desirable results. In my book 'A STRATEGIC PAINTER: MASTERMIND YOUR CRAFT' I have mentioned about this book in a couple of places as I found the information contained in it pertinent to my topic of discussion. I really enjoy looking at it and reading it from time to time as it is 1.Colorful, 2.Succinct, 3.Informative, 4.Well written and 5. Even has a Glossary List of art words in the end which I find delightful.
March 5, 2015
Good for international students who study visual art. They don't know about words and usage in English. So, it is helpful to get a sense of use words related to visual art. It has a general guide book. So, I recommend to read this book first and before came here. For writing in academic level, you might need to find other resource to prepare.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews