How is texture defined in design?

Texture in design refers specifically to the appearance or feel of a surface or fabric. This encompasses both the tactile experience—how a surface feels when touched—as well as the visual aspects—how it looks. Texture can significantly influence the overall aesthetic and emotional response to a design, contributing to the understanding and perception of an object. It plays an essential role in creating depth, interest, and contrast in both 2D and 3D design contexts.

While the other options relate to different aspects of design, they do not encapsulate the definition of texture. Aesthetic appeal of a color focuses on hue and its visual attributes, while the relationship of shapes pertains to form and spatial organization, and measurement of proportion concerns the size and scale of elements within a structure. Each of these elements is crucial in design, but they do not define texture.