![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_6a115a45c635481681d2b87cd6fee567~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_47,h_25,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4897a5_6a115a45c635481681d2b87cd6fee567~mv2.jpg)
Direction
Elements of Design
The element of direction offers basically three options- horizontal, vertical or oblique.
​
The dominant direction in an artwork has a powerful influence over the atmosphere generated by the work. It is an element that is easily overlooked, but when taken advantage of, is an extremely useful tool.
​
![Verticle Direction Notre Dame de Paris – Eastern Facade](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_bf46023ca5204b9eb2c015bd19f06fdb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_721,h_721,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/4897a5_bf46023ca5204b9eb2c015bd19f06fdb~mv2.jpg)
Notre Dame de Paris – Eastern Facade
​
​
The dominant vertical direction seen in Notre Dame de Paris gives a feeling of lightness, balance and elegance. The open flying buttresses and steeply pitched turrets defy the solid stone construction and make the building appear to be floating upwards.
​
![Houses of Parliament -London, Charles Barry – 1840 Dominant Horizontal Direction](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_6a115a45c635481681d2b87cd6fee567~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_130,h_69,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4897a5_6a115a45c635481681d2b87cd6fee567~mv2.jpg)
Houses of Parliament -London, Charles Barry – 1840
​
​
The British Houses of Parliament employ the same vertical gothic thrust but, with the addition of a dominant horizontal direction, the feeling is more of power, solidity and permanence.
​
![Geometric and Organic Shapes © John Lovett](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_426135045f774a1283b49e244f6bba21~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_52,h_75,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4897a5_426135045f774a1283b49e244f6bba21~mv2.jpg)
30 St Mary Axe – London, Foster and Partners, 2004
​
​
30 St Mary Axe in London takes sweeping diagonal lines spiralling to its apex to give the building a strong upward thrust and dynamic animated character of power and movement.
​
The same change in character can be seen in the following three photographs. The subject is the same in each, the change in directional emphasis creates a different atmosphere in each image.
​
![Dominant Vertical Direction © John Lovett](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_c868df3f0c1e4f578e5d61206df646ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_131,h_87,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4897a5_c868df3f0c1e4f578e5d61206df646ca~mv2.jpg)
Dominant Vertical Direction
​
​
​
​
![Dominant Horizontal Direction © John Lovett](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_19d250ca93a94ac0b44340ef658e7517~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_130,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4897a5_19d250ca93a94ac0b44340ef658e7517~mv2.jpg)
Dominant Horizontal Direction
​
​
​
​
![Dominant Diagonal Direction © John Lovett](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_b0b2d7c223af4afaa01f59d97ae97e51~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_130,h_87,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4897a5_b0b2d7c223af4afaa01f59d97ae97e51~mv2.jpg)
Dominant Diagonal Direction
​
​
The vertical emphasis in the first image gives a feeling of orderly formality the second horizontal emphasis feels calm and stable while the third diagonal emphasis feels active and animated.
​
Direction is an element that should be considered and controlled in a design. Emphasise the direction that reinforces the atmosphere you are trying to generate.