Jargon buster
A comprehensive dictionary of web, architecture, design and printing terms.

ATRIUM

An atrium is any interior volume in a building. Atriums are similar to interior courtyards but they are typically enclosed and conditioned as opposed to open to the elements. These spaces are often a major feature and shared space in a building.


ARTS AND CRAFTS

The Arts and Crafts movement was a trend in architecture and design that pushed back against the industrial revolution. While earlier trends tried to modernize and standardize good design, this trend celebrated handmade things and tried to inspire more creativity. Though the trend was present in architecture, it can be found in many other art forms of the time as well.


ART NOUVEAU

Art Nouveau architecture is a design style that sought to create one unified style that blurred the line between architecture, interior design, furniture design, painting, and more. Designers of Art Nouveau architecture would try to create a “complete work.” These works were often very cohesive in their design style and intricately detailed. You can recognize Art Nouveau architecture for its romantic detailing, metalwork, and integration of sculpture.


Ascender

The upward stem on certain lowercase letters, extending beyond the median of the letter.


Analogous Colors

Color combinations derived from hues close to each other on the color wheel, such as red and orange.


AI file

A vector image format used for original Adobe® Illustrator design files.


Apparel price ranges

Designation of categories of apparel relative to price. The lowest category is low end, next is budget, then, moderate, better, bridge, and, the highest, designer.


Art Deco

Art Deco architecture is a unique building aesthetic that came about during the larger Art Deco movement around the 1920s. It features glamorous detailing with often geometric façades and signature vintage fonts. Though the style was short-lived, it remains an iconic and recognizable aesthetic. If you want to learn more about Art Deco architecture, be sure to read our guide: 5 Art Deco Buildings That Embody the Vintage Glamour of This Architectural Style


A-line

Style line for apparel in which the dress fits at the shoulder or the skirt at the waist and gradually flares out to a wider hemline, causing it to resemble the letter A. The earliest A-line designs were created by Christian Dior in the 1950s.


Arch

An arch is a form of structure found throughout much of architecture. It uses a curve to span a space from two points. There are a few different kinds of arches and they can be made in many materials, but the core structural concept is always the same.


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