Picture running your fingers across a piece of sandpaper. Can you imagine how it feels gritty and rough? Now picture the feel of a glossy, granite countertop. How does the smooth and slick granite compare to the surface of the sandpaper? How about cashmere fabric? How is the fabric’s surface different than the other elements’ surfaces? All these different qualities are examples of texture, one of the elements of design. Texture affects both the visual appeal and functionality of an object. Imagine how sandpaper would be different if it felt like cashmere. Would its functionality be affected? Yes! Sandpaper would be completely worthless if it was soft! What about cashmere? If cashmere was glossy and hard, who would ever buy a cashmere sweater? As you can see, texture serves a purpose as much as it adds interest and visual appeal. There are two types of texture: texture you can feel and texture you can see. Texture you can feel is called tactile texture. Texture you can see is called visual texture.
