Elements and Principles Questions

Below are questions to test your knowledge and understanding of Elements and Principles.

Before you continue, make sure you have studied the theory by clicking here.

Questions

Question 1

Question 1

A graphic designer created a flyer for a vintage car show. Two of the images used in the flyer, before being cropped, are shown. a. Explain, giving one example, why unity has been used in the layout. (1 mark)

Answers

a. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

They have repeated the same circle shapes in the images, which creates a cohesive look across both pages
They have used text wrap, creating a physical unity between the text and the image of the car
They have repeated the colours orange and blue, which makes all pages look connected
They have repeated the same fonts throughout, creating a cohesive design

Question 2

A new website is being commissioned by the kitchen company. A graphic artist has created a sample for one of the webpages.

A draft of a CV created using DTP software is shown. a. Explain, giving two examples, why the graphic artist has used emphasis to create an effective layout. (2 marks) b. Explain, giving two examples, why the graphic artist has used value to create an effective layout. (2 marks) c. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic artist has used rhythm to create an effective layout. (2 marks)d. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic artist has used proportion to create an effective layout. (2 marks)e. Describe, giving three examples, how the graphic artist has used shape to create an effective layout. (3 marks)

Answers

a. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

They have added Yellow and grey shapes around the outside of the image, which helps to make the images stand out against other elements
They have made ‘Modernise’ and ‘quote’ in bold and changed the colour to yellow, to draw the user’s attention to the text
They have used lines and shapes below and around the company name to emphasise ‘Kalleta Kitchens’, which draws the user’s attention to this image/piece of text
They have created white space around ‘Kalleta Kitchens’ to create a hierarchy of importance and make this one of the first things that the viewer sees
Drop shadow applied to rectangular shape behind ‘Kalleta Kitchens’ draws the user’s attention to it

b. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

Low value yellow and grey around the kitchen image highlights this image/draws the user’s attention
The low-value text for subheadings/ Kalleta Kitchens highlights the most important text
The low-value grey on shapes at the bottom helps make these images stand out/contrast against the background
The higher value body text is used to create a hierarchy of importance, which highlights that this text is less important than the subheading text
The high-value grey around the perimeter of the body text helps make the images stand out more
The Yellow gradient, high to low value, highlights the sequence at the bottom
The high value yellow used on line to make this element less dominant
High value yellow used on shapes below company name to make ‘Kalleta Kitchens’ font stand out/contrast
High value yellow in the background makes this element less dominant in the layout/helping make other elements stand out

Repeated formatting of subheadings
Numbering system for sequence

The kitchen images are large elements on the layout
Subheading text/’Kalleta Kitchens’ is a large font size
Body text is a small font size
Four shapes with numbers at the bottom are proportionately the same size
Two triangular images are proportionately the same size
Grey icons are larger than their corresponding numbers
All elements are similarly sized

There are rotated rectangular shapes beneath ‘Kalleta Kitchens’ text
There are triangular-shaped images
They have used a combination of different shapes (rectangles, triangles, random shapes)
There is a range of different-sized shapes used
Layering is used on kitchen shapes
Layering used on rectangular shapes beneath Kalleta Kitchens text
The main shape outlines all the given different colours
Simple shapes used for icons

Question 3

A graphic design company have been asked to create a range of electronic and printed promotional graphics for a travel agent. Layouts for a travel app are shown. a. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic designer has created emphasis in the travel app layouts. (2 marks)

Answers

They made the lozenge a darker blue behind Search Flight
They made the image of Rome larger
They applied a drop shadow to the Rome option
The orange dot under the Rome option
There is an orange outline around the selected flight
The bookable seats are in darker blue
The Orange seat symbol is used for selected seats
Headlines/ subheadings/ airport codes have been made bold

Question 4

A series of double-page spreads used to advertise holidays is shown below.

a. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic designer has created depth to enhance the layouts. (2 marks)b. Explain, giving two examples, why the graphic designer’s use of proportion has enhanced the layouts. (2 marks)c. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic designer has created rhythm to enhance the layouts. (2 marks)d. Explain, giving two examples, why the graphic designer’s use of shape has enhanced the layouts.(2 marks)e. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic designer has used mass to enhance the layouts. (2 marks)

Answers

Any instances of layering of two or more elements
They have added a transparent orange box on the front cover and page 2
A shadow making it look like the banner is “peeling” on the back cover
Drop shadows have been added on planes on pages 1 and 2
A window-shaped image/layer mask has been added, allowing us not to see the whole image
Depth created by perspective in the photographs

b. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

Images are of a similar size, meaning no image stands out more than the others
The orange image of the country is larger in the white areas, which draws attention to it
The text for ‘Travel’, ‘Go’ or Country names is larger than the rest, which draws attention to it
On page 6, images down the left-hand side increase in size to draw the reader’s eye down the layout
Images take up proportionately more space than text, which draws attention to the images

Drop cap at the start of each piece of body text
Larger, bolder, orange typeface used for each of the subheadings throughout the layout
Rows of orange and grey dots are used to separate white boxes
The layout of elements in white boxes is the same on each layout
Plane-shaped bullet points have been used
Styling of country names is the same throughout

d. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

Shaped images mirrored on each spread, creating symmetrical balance
White boxes for country information, creating emphasis
The orange shape of the country used in each section creates unity
Circular shapes are repeated throughout, creating unity
Rectangular shapes are repeated throughout, creating unity
Cropped circle used to highlight favourite and spotlight destinations, creating visual interest

Images in the centre of the layout are of similar mass
Text boxes are all of similar mass
Large mass of white circle behind Japan information
Large mass of image of map across pages 1 and 2

Question 5

A graphic designer for the Exprex Coffee company created Draft 1 as an idea for a loyalty card. DTP edits were made to improve the layout. These are shown on Draft 2. The guidelines used during the production of both DTP layouts are shown in green.a. Explain why the following design elements and principles have been used to improve the layout in Draft 2.

Alignment (2 marks)
Depth (2 marks)
Unity (2 marks)

Answers

a. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

They have aligned the coffee cups at the top/bottom/right/left-hand sides to create an organised layout.
The coffee cups and “REWARDS” are aligned at the top to create structure within the layout.
The company logo and coffee cups are in alignment on the left-hand side/right-hand side, which makes the layout easier to follow
The rows of white squares are aligned at the top/bottom /left/right-hand side, creating a formal-looking layout.
The white text under rewards is in alignment with the bottom of the white squares, making it look organised
The company logo is in alignment with 'loyalty cards' at the top, which makes it easier to follow and read
'My Coffee' aligns with the company logo at the bottom, creating a formal layout.
The pink and white text is aligned to the right-hand side, making it easier to follow.

Drop shadow added to white squares or MyCoffee to create a visual impact
Transparency was used over background texture to create emphasis and make it stand out
Transparency with white coffee bean stamp makes it stand out.
Red bands under coffee cups make them stand out
White shadow around coffee bean draws attention to the symbol.
Drop shadows are applied to the white boxes, giving the impression that they are three-dimensional.

Repeated the colour red/grey/cream throughout the graphic, linking elements together
The white in coffee bean stamp links to the white text on the rewards card, helping to create consistency
The coffee cup/square/red bands shape has been repeated, helping create consistency

Question 6

A digital, online, version of a travel magazine is being developed. A graphic artist has created a new layout for it. a. Describe how the graphic artist has created balance throughout the layout. (2 marks)b. Describe the effect that the graphic artist’s use of white space has created within the layout. (2 marks)c. Describe how shape has been used to enhance the layout. (2 marks)d. Describe how transparency has been used to enhance the layout. (2 marks)

Answers

The designer has created a symmetrical balance, ensuring all text and images are arranged on either side of the centre in each section
Symmetrical balance has been created with similar sizes of text and images on either side
The coloured K graphic in the top left is balanced out by the triangular graphic diagonally opposite
Asymmetrical balance is created as different sizes and shapes of text and images are staggered left to right, working down the page.

The designer has used white space by leaving space around the images, which contributed to the modern or minimal feel of the layout
The designer has used white space to create a less busy or cluttered layout
The designer has created a relaxed feel to the layout that is restful and does not overstimulate the viewer
They have used white space to allow other elements to stand out
White space allows the reader’s eyes to rest.

The use of shape creates visual interest
The shapes behind the images and text draw attention to or emphasise sections of the layout
The use of triangles and circles creates contrast
They have repeated shapes, which creates unity
They have layered transparent shapes over solid fill shapes, creating depth
Red circle ties in with the Japanese theme due to the similarity with the Japanese flag

Transparent shapes create a sense of depth
Transparent shapes overlapping draw attention to specific elements of the layout
Transparent shapes create visual interest
Allows images to still be seen through coloured shapes.

Question 7

A draft graphic for the festival security passes is shown. a. Describe two instances where the designer has used lines to enhance the layout of the graphic. (2 marks)b. Describe two instances where the designer has used alignment in the graphic. (2 marks)c. Explain how the designer has used balance in the graphic. (2 marks)d. Describe two instances where the designer has created contrast in the graphic. (2 marks)

Answers

The line separates the graphic into different sections.
A line separates text into different sections.
The line aids clarity for reading
Thin/narrow lines help to emphasise bold text.
Lines create a grid structure.

The event information has been aligned to the centre of the right-hand column.
Alignment of the header with the vertical line and the name of the pass holder.
Alignment of ‘PRESS’ and ‘ARTIST’ with camera, speaker silhouettes or triangle.
Blocks of colour fill are in alignment with each other.
Blocks of colour fill are in alignment with the Scotrock Headline.

c. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

The card has asymmetrical balance, which creates movement from left to right across the page
The card has asymmetrical balance, which creates visual interest.

Contrast with serif/sans serif/ script typefaces.
Contrast between large/bold and small typefaces.
Square shapes/straight lines contrast with the circle in the header.
Contrast between the central justification of the text and the proper justification.
Contrast between vertical and horizontal text.
Contrast between vertical and horizontal lines.

Question 8

A final graphic for the festival is shown. a. Describe how the designer has used texture to enhance the impact of the graphic. (2 marks)b. Describe two ways the designer has used depth within the publication. (2 marks)c. Describe two ways the designer has used emphasis within the publication. (2 marks)d. Describe two ways the designer has used unity within the publication. (2 marks)e. Explain two ways the designer has used grid structure within the publication. (2 marks)

Answers

Metal texture on the publication creates visual interest in the document.
Metal texture on publication creates contrast with the plain white background.
The texture gives a 3D effect with the ridges.
Metal texture on publication links with festival theme via links to industrial music/metal music/ links with metal structures at the festival.

Drop shadows give the impression of depth
Layering of elements gives the impression of depth
Perspective in an image gives the impression of depth.

Reverse effect/coloured boxes emphasise text
Scale/proportion of ‘Scotrock’ header creates emphasis
The eye is drawn to it as it is the largest element on the page
White outline/glow on SCOTROCK logo.
Colour in the image at the top and the ‘you are here’ box to create emphasis.
Drop shadows behind rectangular shapes create emphasis.
Layering of elements creates emphasis. Website address in colour creates emphasis.
Capitalised and larger, bolder font creates emphasis.

Repetition of colour throughout.
Repetition of typefaces (header & body text).
Rectangles containing headers overlapping shapes.
Repetition of triangular shapes throughout.
Repetition of the metallic texture at the top and bottom.

e. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

Vertical columns are created within the document to separate information for clarity.
To separate information (Music Festival, Bronze, Silver, Gold packages and shuttle bus services) horizontally to improve clarity.
The table at the bottom separates information for clarity.

Question 9

A series of double-page spreads has been created to promote a dog rescue centre. a. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic designer has created rhythm to enhance the layouts. (2 marks)b. Explain, giving one example, why the graphic designer’s use of proportion has enhanced the layouts. (1 mark)c. Explain, giving one example, why the graphic designer’s use of emphasis has enhanced the layouts. (1 mark)d. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic designer’s use of unity has enhanced the layouts. (2 marks)

Answers

The repetition of the pattern of paw prints across the background of pages 2 or 3
The repetition of white paw prints in an orange band across the top of pages 3, 4 & 5
The repetition of pawprints in the bottom left/right-hand corners of pages
There are alternating blue and orange colour fills in the FAQ section
There is a repetition of pawprints with Q and A in the FAQ section
The repetition of the formatting of the orange headline
The repetition of formatting of orange subheadings
The repetition of the blue outline with a drop shadow on three images on page 2
The repetition of the orange outline on three images on page 5

b. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

The blue heart is large compared with other images on the page, which leads the reader's eye towards the available dogs
There is a solid colour fill on page 2, which draws attention to the title of the layout
On pages 2 or 5, three of the images are the same size, meaning none stand out more than the others
There is enlarged text, for example, ‘Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts’) which draws attention to the text
On pages 2 and 3, paw print images increase and decrease in size, which draws the reader’s eye across the layout
The image of the dog in front of the wall on page 3 takes up proportionately more space than text, which draws attention to the image
The image of “Chewy’s photoshoot” on page 4 takes up proportionately more space than text, which draws attention to the image

c. (Answers to explain questions must have a cause and an effect)

Reverse applied to text helps bring emphasis to captions
The lines above and below frame the pull quote on page 5, which attracts the reader’s eye
The pull quote is bold text, which makes it stand out
There is an orange colour fill on page 2 behind the website, which helps to separate the information and make it stand out from the rest
There are white outlines on headings that make them stand out compared to other text
There are contrasting colour fills on FAQs, making the section stand out
Drop shadows are applied on headings, blue heart and horizontal images with blue outlines create depth, helping them to stand out on the page.
There are blue outlines on dog images on page 2, which draw attention to them
There are orange outlines on dog images on pages 3, 4 and 5 which draw attention to them

Repeated use of colour orange or repeated use of colour blue
Headings and subheadings use the same font throughout the document
The subheading “available dogs” is blue and links to the images and colour fill above
Repetition of reverse text in captions
Repeated use of sans-serif typeface for body text
Repetition of the italic Qs & As in the FAQ section
Repeated use of shape (paw print, rectangles, etc).

Question 10

A business card was produced for the stationery company.a. Describe, giving two examples, how the graphic artist has used contrast to enhance the business card. (2 marks)

Answers

The red border contrasts with the green background
The red T/E/W contrasts with the green background
The bold T/E/W contrasts with regular text
Straight line contrast with zig-zag line
Script font contrasts with sans-serif font
Textured paper behind logo or textured image of pencils contrasts with solid colour fill
Diagonal pencil in logo contrasts with the image of the photo

Home Page

gw23prasherrebecca@glow.sch.uk Lanark Grammar School 2025

Page updated

Report abuse