What are the formal elements of two-dimensional design and how do you use them?

Line – a line is a mark made by a tool as it is drawn across a surface.  All lines have direction and quality.Line Type:  Lines may be straight, curving, or angular.Line Direction:  Horizontal lines move across the page east to west, or west to east.  Vertical lines move up and down the page, north to south or south to north.Line Quality:  A line may be delicate or bold, smooth or broken, thick or thin, regular or changing, and so on.Linear: used to describe objects, and map or unify.Shape – the general outline of some thing, in a closed form or path.Linear shapes: the predominant use of lines to form; curving or angular, regular or changing, flat or volumetric, etc.Value – the lightness or darkness of a visual element.Value contrast:  the relationship of one element to another in respect to lightness and darkness, which evoke an emotional response.Low value: a narrow range of valuesHigh value: a wide range of valuesColor – a powerful and provocative design element when used correctly, evokes attention.Hue:  the name of a color (red, blue, green, etc.)Value: the range of the color (lightness or darkness)Saturation: the brightness or dullness of a color choose colors appropriate for your design conceptselect colors that will communicate a brand’s or group’s spiritmake sure colors will enhance the readability of the typeestablish sufficient contrast to create visual impactcreate many color sketches

try to design the same piece with one or two colors, and with full color

Texture – the tactile (the feel or touch) of a surface.Tactile textures:  real surfaces that can be touched with the fingers.Visual textures:  illusionary textures which give the impression of real textures.Format – the substance or support for the graphic design.Posters, brochures, magazines, billboards, wall murals, etc.