Art And Design Terminology

adjective having no definite form or shape; shapeless

• The amorphous structure of the material made it difficult to classify.
• I couldn't figure out what shape the amorphous blob was supposed to be.
• That amorphous thingamajig is really confusing me.
• Her thoughts were like an amorphous cloud, constantly changing and shifting.

noun a very small barb or pointed projection on a feather or fish scale

• The barbule is a small, branching structure found on feathers.
• I learned about barbules in my biology class - they help feathers stay connected.
• Check out the cool barbules on this bird's feather!
• The barbules of society are what hold us all together in times of need.

noun a decorative style in Western art and design, reflecting Chinese artistic influences

• The museum featured a collection of exquisite chinoiserie artifacts.
• I love the chinoiserie decor in that fancy restaurant.
• Check out that chinoiserie wallpaper, it's so cool!
• Her style is like a beautiful chinoiserie painting, intricate and elegant.

noun a visual impairment that prevents an individual from distinguishing certain colors

• Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is a condition in which a person is unable to distinguish certain colors.
• My friend has color blindness, so he has trouble telling the difference between red and green.
• Some people think color blindness means you only see in black and white, but that's not true.
• In a world full of color, color blindness can make things seem a little dull.

noun a raised design or decoration on a surface, typically made of metal or plastic

• The embossment on the official document adds a touch of elegance.
• I love the embossment on this invitation, it looks so fancy.
• Check out the cool embossment on my new phone case!
• Her words left an embossment on my heart, I couldn't forget them.

verb to overlap or arrange in a regular, overlapping pattern

adjective arranged in a regular, overlapping pattern

• The imbricate pattern of the scales on the fish's skin provides protection against predators.
• I noticed the imbricate design on the tiles in the bathroom, it looks really nice.
• Check out the imbricate detailing on this jacket, it's so cool.
• The layers of lies began to imbricate, making it difficult to unravel the truth.

noun the quality of being keenly perceptive or discerning

• The doctor tested the patient's visual acuities to determine if they needed glasses.
• I had to get my acuities checked at the eye doctor today.
• My acuities are so bad, I can barely see anything without my glasses.
• Her acuities in problem-solving are unmatched in the department.