January 16, 2015
Want to imbue an air of refinement with a single brushstroke? Rikard Rodin, who blogs at Zeven Design, put together a handy little infographic on how designers can use lines to set the mood, drawing from the “mood lines” in the book Landscape Architecture by John Ormsbee Simonds.
![](http://a.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/inline-large/inline/2015/01/3041041-inline-i-2-infographic-20-years-of-controversy-surrounding-depictions-of-the-pro.jpg)
In graphic design, lines can be used to establish a certain sensibility, whether with fonts, the arrangement of different colors, or the composition of a photo.
Mood lines are especially easy to spot in movie posters, which—let’s face it—can be a little unoriginal in their design. Is your movie about noble aspiration? Great! Design it around a vertical line, like this poster from Interstellar. Want to convey that a character is flamboyant? Add a sharp, wavy line (preferably in the form of crazy hair).
![](http://h.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/inline-large/inline/2015/01/3041041-inline-i-1-infographic-20-years-of-controversy-surrounding-depictions-of-the-pro.jpg)
Naturally, the infographic is a just a set of guidelines. These rules don’t apply in every case. Not every design is going to feel pessimistic if the font slopes downward. But in general, will your work look a little more “active” if it’s in a sort of lightning bolt shape? Sure.
Rodin’s full post is worth a read. Go here.
[via Design Taxi]
[Images: via Zeven Design]
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