Visual Elements and Principles of Design Matrix

PLTW Engineering

Elements of Design
Line Color Value Shape Form Space Texture

3-d product that Cramped and

Smooth glossy
Mixture of black 3-d physical Mechanical shape has been already busy with
Curved with little finish with intense
and red for product that would that was constructed but interconnecting
edge or straight light reflection that
comformity and need to value its specifically mad needs to express parts that serves
Use of lines works with the
intense power protusions for a function its curved finish a different
Design color red.
Element carefully. function

Conforms to Open area Smooth texture on

standards on both separating top exterior for
Principles of Design

Symmetrical with Balance of Curved finish is

Balance Careful separation sides with small and bottom aesthetic while
small functional shaded areas for expressed on
of two colors variations that section may saving room for
protrusions symmetrical feel both sides
don’t disturb the increase the size functionality at
product unnecessarily strategic points

This machine was Cramped space Smooth finish to

Shows and 3d product meant
Calm and Power and made for a with negative give flashiness
highlights areas of for daily
Emphasis conformed feel to instenstiy of the wanted task areas between but also
importance in the functionality in
the product product rather than a the upper and emphasizes
product and around life.
needed task lower parts civilian use.

Page 1
© 2020 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
 He

Flat and rounded Freedom from the Smooth glossy

Straight lines at
Darker values shapes closer to Rounded surfaces upper curved lines finish on the
base for a smooth Red is meant for
highlight important the base and are expressed to contrast buttons outermost parts
place while curved color and visual
Contrast parts of the darker colors give depth to the and output and rougher
lines giva aid while black is
product meant for while rounded product and how location of the finishes at
freedome and the functions
use shapes are on the it’ll stand out coffee maker at input/output
access
outside the bottom locations

Red finish at the Rounded shape 3-d areas

Constant lines Gradually made Abrupt space Rounded texture
upper component around the consistent
both horizontal darker in the intial extrusions that throughout the
but abruptly product with base throughout the
Rhythm and curved pencil sketches to sometimes lead to piece with the
interrupted into as the exception pieces to give a
separated from indicate interruption of exception of bits
black as a sign of but a semi-arch uniform feel to the
each other importance of rhythm of the bottom half
change connects them. product

Larger rounded
Larger There is a clear Smooth finishes
Lines are Very large and shapes are more Constant form
components difference ultimately in every
proportionate to active colors revelant with rounded
required smaller between the place overpowers
one another but represented on compared to the corners that are
Proportion value amounts upper arch and and hides rough
smaller and less the product that small parts and larger and
that lead to focus the bottom base finish corners and
conspicuous than overrides many pieces that actual overpower smaller
on the main that allows for free errors designed
the components blemishes show a visual squared corners
function open space. for inputs
output

Black and white Shape conforms Space is kept to a Texture is kept

Lines come Values are
have similar with user The form gives off confined area of consistent that
together to make steadily increased
meanings and standards without a clear definitve each part that offers a smooth
Unity a good and and decreased
emotions and being too simple function in a 3-d doesn’t allow for flow of machinery
noticeable into each others
complement each that offers little shape many distracting to each
transition standards
other attraction protrusions component.

Page 2
© 2019 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
 He

Gradual
Use of only two Shape is Space is utilized Product looks as if
Curved lines give differentiating
colors allows for consistent well with every its made out of
more beauty to Value is steady values helpt to
less sensory throughout the area given a role hard plastic and
the piece instead with some parts increase
Economy overload and product that to meet the given and given a
of a boxed design standing out than autonomy of the
makes for a allows for criteria without shiny finish that
that is most others. piece alerting
attractive simple symmetrical sacrificing overall allows for better
common consumers to
looks replacements appeal feel
points of interest.

Page 3
© 2019 Project Lead The Way, Inc.