Design elements - Texture

About texture

Design elements - Texture

Texture is a quality experienced through touch,

sight or hearing.

Real texture

Design elements - Texture

Real textures are

those that we can

touch and feel.

Simulated texture

Design elements - Texture

Simulated textures

are illusions of real

textures which are

created using

elements such as

colour, tone or line.

Simulated textures

are experienced

through sight.

Food and texture

Design elements - Texture

Food textures are

experienced in the

mouth.

The mouth can feel

many different

qualities, for example,

firm, soft, creamy,

rubbery, crunchy or

crisp.

Qualities of texture

Design elements - Texture

Textures can have

many different

qualities. They can be

smooth, rough, soft,

hard, polished, prickly,

slimy or corrugated.

Texture can serve many design needs

Design elements - Texture

Texture can be used to represent:

• objects

• people

• places

• ideas

in descriptive or symbolic ways.

Design elements - Texture

Texture can be

descriptive, for

example, the

smoothness of

eggshells or the

roughness of timber.

Design elements - Texture

Texture can be used

to represent ideas in

symbolic ways.

Texture can communicate

Design elements - Texture

Texture can suggest:

• emotions

• feelings

• ideas.

Design elements - Texture

Smooth, shiny

textures can be

associated with

surfaces such as

metal and glass.

They can appear

cool, soothing and

calm.

Design elements - Texture

Soft textures can be

associated with

surfaces such as flesh

or fabric and can

appear warm.

Design elements - Texture

Rough, spiky or

prickly textures can

suggest danger or

aggression.

Design elements - Texture

Texture can evoke

memories and strong

nostalgic responses

in individuals.

Design elements - Texture

Texture can evoke

strong emotions and

psychological

responses in

individuals.

Design elements - Texture

Personal experiences

can influence the way

an individual responds

to texture.

Texture can appeal to our senses

Design elements - Texture

Texture can create

visual or tactile

effects.

Design elements - Texture

Texture can appeal

to our sense of taste,

for example, a juicy,

soft orange; soft,

creamy cheese or a

rough, crunchy

biscuit.

Texture can be functional

Design elements - Texture

Texture can be

functional, for

example, the

smooth handle and

rough teeth on a

grater.

Design elements - Texture

Texture can create an

illusion of space.

Lightly textured areas

can create a feeling of

open space.

Heavily textured

areas can appear to

advance and fill space.

Design elements - Texture

Texture can indicate

freshness or quality in

food.

Texture worksheet

Design elements - Texture

Teacher introduction (DOC) (PDF)

Student worksheet (DOC) (PDF)