See and Feel Texture

Texture is a sometimes overlooked element of a design. Often we only think of texture as the feel of the paper or, as in the case of a room, the texture of the fabrics used in the room. But texture can add depth and drama and set the mood in more ways than this. -->

In the walls I've been working on in my home remodeling project, I've layered on both actual and visual texture - first applying a texturing compound that adds actual rough and smooth areas and patterns - the equivalent of the use soft or rough papers, plastics, foil, or fabrics in varying thicknesses. Then I've layered on and blended paint colors and strokes much as photographs and patterns of lines and shapes. create a visual texture in desktop publishing and design.

Unlike a wall where the surface is prepared first then the additional layers of texture, real or visual are applied, in design we work backwards - the actual paper and printing techniques come last after we've designed the visual textures of colors and patterns.

• Identifying Textures - Introduction to Texture as an Element of Design
• Paper Textures & Finishes - It may come last but we must consider the actual finished texture as we develop the piece.
• Visual Textures - Use objects in a photograph, images from photo-editing software, digitized images of actual textures, and symbolic textures from lines or shapes
• Printed Textures - In addition to the paper, how the paper is treated during printing and finishing creates texture
• How to Specify Spot Varnish in a Digital File - Use this special effect to layer on both actual and visual texture