影子在生活中無所不在，只要有陽光的地方影子就肯定會存在。影子與人類生活之間的背景除了證明實物存在之外，影子對人們有特別重要的價值及意義，它們不僅僅是這個實物世界的附屬品。然而，影子是一種傳達性極強的視覺語言，是單一獨立的表現形式，與文字相比，影子產生出的圖形更具有直觀、生動與趣味性。生活的潛移默化，使本研究也相當著迷此物理現象，即便是平時的創作也深受影響，這是主要動機。目的希望想藉此理論探究，加強撰寫能力與對影子更深層的探討，並專注於提升自我的理論基礎。據文獻探討影子元素，發現影子具有「正面形象」之意義，為次要動機。目的也希望能從影子元素之正面意象提煉後，運用於現代視覺設計。是否能提供或建立新的立意點和新思維方向，激發創意的思考模式，對未來視覺設計之應用將有所助益，為本研究最後動機。

　　本研究文獻以相輔相成的光影科學破題而深入探討，從影子概念的源起與定義深入至影子與自然相生的基本特性，然而影子元素與藝術空間之表現形式與視覺原理之應用階層試瞭解當代運用呈現之狀況。再以研究樣本與設計執行流程、步驟建構出「影子元素語意差異量表」，其結果把影子元素正面意象之總形容詞分析與整理歸納出總形容詞有10組子題，為「無法揣測的」、「感覺難受的」、「有吸引力的」、「難以忘懷的」、「內心陰霾的」、「沒有彈性的」、「冒充山寨的」、「以假亂真的」、「迎向正面的」、「內心吶喊的」，其中最凸顯正面意象的影子元素總形容詞有「有吸引力的」、「難以忘懷的」、「迎向正面的」，經研究顯示，影子是具有正面意象的思維價值。影子元素正面意象使用在視覺設計上，不全然為了影子元素本身帶給人們的感覺，而是利用影子的特性來思考，換言之，利用影子元素之情報傳達機能與在人們眼中看圖的恆常性和人們的經驗值傳遞出來的訊息，有時候會因為周圍環境的感受賦予影子元素有不同的意義。

Within the universal shadow of life, the shadows cast by the Sun will surely be present. This constant background shadow, when set against human life, proves our physical presence, and beyond the shadow it can be seen that people have their own value and unique importance; they are not merely an accessory to the physical world. However, shadows convey a highly visual language, a single, independent form of expression; as compared with text or simple graphics, shadows produce a more intuitive and vivid meaning.
Shadows are a silent and unique experience, and this study is intent on discovering more about this physical phenomenon; even in the normal course of events, this topic is particularly motivating. The primary objective is to explore the theory, and create from the subject a deeper discussion and focus on the theory, based on improving our understanding. Exploring the literature and history of shadow elements represented as a "positive" image would be the secondary objective, partly drawing on the positive elements of shadow images used in modern visual design. The final objective is to unlock new conceptions and new directions of thought to stimulate creative thinking; these would ideally be practical and applicable to future applications of visual design.
The literature used in this study is a complementary assortment of light essays and in-depth studies, ranging from the source of the concept of "shadow", its defined depth and basic characteristics, through to the performance of shadow elements in artistic contexts, taking the application of the visual principles in order to better understand contemporary use in the rendering of the situation. What would follow would be a study sample and design implementation process, constructing "shadow elements of a semantic differential scale"; the result of the assessment of shadow elements within positive images and the subsequent adjective analysis and summary, based on a set of ten questions, uses "cannot speculate" , "feel uncomfortable", "attractive", "unforgettable", "penetrating despondency", "inflexible", "noticeable similarity", "deceptive", "inspirational" and "strong emotional response"; based on the most prominent elements of the overall positive image stemming from shadows, adjectives include "attractive", "unforgettable", and "inspirational", implying that the study shows the human mind can ascribe positive thought values to shadows. Use of positive imagery of shadow elements within visual design, while not entirely dependent on the shadow element to produce this positive feeling within people, can use characteristic shadows to provoke thought; in other words, using "shadow elements" in intelligent and communicative ways can let people see more consistency and communicate visual messages more effectively - especially as the context of the shadow elements can be used to produce entirely different meanings.
Theoretical developments of applied design elements incorporating positive shadow visuals will be to create an image with an overall more positive aspect, by using shadow element analysis and synthesizing literature with appropriate adjectives for the visuals. Visual designers will be able to make use of the "shadow image of the positive elements", opening up more avenues and possibilities, and facilitating the use of shadow imagery within more fun and creative images; a blueprint for creative thinking.