ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN ARE THE

BUILDING BLOCKS OF DESIGN.

THE ELEMENTS ARE…

• Line

• Space

• Shape and Form

• Texture

• Pattern

• Color (The Most Important)

Line – Line divides the garment

into areas as well as giving a feeling of movement.

• Lines can be more than horizontal or vertical. They can be. . . .

• Curved

• Diagonal

• Zigzag

• Dashed

• Parallel

• Wavy

SPACE

Space is the area inside the shape or outline

of an object.

Positive space is

occupied by the

main subject.

Negative space is

the area around

the positive

space.

Shape

the outline or silhouette of an object.

It is two-dimensional and appears flat.

Form

the shape and structure of an item. It

is three-dimensional with length,

width, and depth.

(Example: A circle is a shape; a ball is a form.)

Texture

• Refers to the surface feel of

fabrics.

• Texture should harmonize with

body size.

Pattern – Repeating of a design.

• Man made design.

• Organic or geometric form

COLOR

• Usually the first aspect of a garment

to which people respond.

• Consumers often select or reject

garments based on color.

• The most important element in

design.

COLOR

• Color is the most significant

element of design.

• It’s possible to set a mood or

create an illusion with color.

COLOR TERMS

• Hue- Color Name

• Value- Lightness or darkness of the hue

• Tint- Hue + White (EX: Pink or Light Blue)

• Shade- Hue + Black (EX: Maroon or Navy)

• Intensity- Brightness or Dullness of the hue

• Tone- Hue + Grey to dull the hue.

• Neutrals- whites, blacks, beige, or grays

Hue – the name of a color

Value – the lightness or darkness of a color◦ Tints – values lighter than normal; adding white

◦ Shades – values that are darker; adding black

Intensity – the purity and strength of the color◦ Tones –add gray or the complementary color

Hue• Hue: Another name for color

Value• Lightness or darkness of a color

Intensity

• Brightness or dullness of a color

Tint• Color with white added to it

Shade• Color with black added to it

Primary: Red, Yellow & Blue

PRIMARY COLORS

•Red

•Yellow

•Blue

PRIMARY COLORS

http://www.fiber-images.com/Free_Things/Reference_Charts/color_wheel.htm

Secondary:Green, Violet, & Orange

(made by combining primary colors)

Created when you mix EQUAL amounts of 2 primary colors.

Green, violet and orange

When you mix primary colors together, you get secondary colors.

SECONDARY COLORS

SECONDARY COLORS

SECONDARY COLORS

SECONDARY COLORS

SECONDARY COLORS

http://www.fiber-images.com/Free_Things/Reference_Charts/color_wheel.htm

Tertiary:yellow-green, blue-green, red-violet,

red-orange, and yellow-orange(made by combing secondary colors)

TERTIARY COLORS

When you mix primary colors with secondary colors, you get tertiary colors.

http://grace.studio-zoe.com/tuttheory.html

Color SchemesA plan, design, layout or vision.

A combination of colors selected for a design in order to create a mood or set a

tone.

Monochromatic:

Using a single

color from the

color wheel.

Monochromatic• A one-hue color scheme – using tints and shades

• Endless values are created by adding white or black

• Quiet and peaceful effect

• Boredom can be avoided by using different forms, textures, and spatial relationships.

Complementary:

Two colors

positioned directly

opposite each

other on the color

wheel.

Complementary

• Built by combining hues opposite each other on the color wheel

• Tend to be livelier than other schemes

• Values and intensities must be handled carefully

Complimentary• Two Colors that are position across from each other

on the color wheel.

Split-

Complementary:

Using one color with

the two colors

adjacent to its

complementary

color.

Split Complimentary• Using one color with the two colors adjacent to its

complementary color.

Triadic:

Any three colors

that are equal

distance from each

other on the color

wheel.

Triadic• 3 colors equal distant

• Ex: red, yellow, blue

Analogous:

Colors that are

next to each other

on the color

wheel.

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Analogous• Uses colors (3-4) that are adjacent to each other on

the color wheel.

• One color is used as a dominant color while others are used to enrich the scheme

Double

Complementary:

Two

complements are

used.

Complements

are directly

across from each

other on the color

wheel.

Double Complimentary

• Two complements are used.

• Complements are directly across from each other on the color wheel.

Monochromatic Complementary Split Complementary

Triadic AnalogousDouble

Complementary

Cool Colors Cool colors are based on

blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas, and blue-based reds.

Because these colors have a tendency to feel like they are receding (or backing away from you), cool tones are often used to paint the walls of a small room to make the room appear larger.

Cool Colors in Fashion

Warm Colors• Warm colors are based on yellows,

oranges, browns, yellowish greens, orangish reds.

• The warmth that these colors radiate tends to make them seem warm, cozy, and inviting and they draw attention very easily.

• Warm colors are associated with happiness and comfort.

Warm Colors in Fashion

Neutral

• Uses no hue

• Neutral colors like white, grey, and black are achromatic.

• Utilizes only value variations, without intensity

• Usually requires an accent color

Neutral Color Schemes Continued

• Easier to live with than with vibrant color schemes.

• Often used as background colors in rooms because they blend well with other colors

• Touches of accent colors are usually added for interest

Value and Intensity Chart (Example)

Start

Here

Value Scale:

Add White

Intensity Scale:

Add Gray

Intensity Scale:

Add Complement

Value Scale:

Add Black

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Rhythm

Emphasis

Balance

Proportion/Scale

Harmony

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

• Rhythm: related movement that leads the eye smoothly and easily from one part of the design to another

• Rhythm provides a sense of order and quality of gracefulness.

• Rhythm provides the illusion of motion as the eye moves easily from one part of the design to another.

• Four types of rhythm include the following:

3. transition

4. radiation1. repetition

2. gradation

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

• Emphasis: also known as the “center of

interest,” “focal point,” and “dominant idea”

• Emphasis centers attention on the most important item in

an arrangement and allows rhythm to carry the eye from

this point to other areas of interest.

• Emphasis creates order and captures attention.

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

• Balance: the arranging of design parts to create a feeling of rest and

equilibrium

Balance produces a sense of equality between opposite elements.

Two types are as follows:

1. Formal balance (symmetrical) – The design is the same on

each side of the design center.

2. Informal balance (asymmetrical) – The design is balanced but

is different on each side of the design center.

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

• Proportion/Scale:

• Proportion is the relationship of parts to each

other and to the design as a whole based on

division of space.

• Scale is the law of proportion when applied to the

size relationship of objects used together.

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

• Harmony: the combination of unity and variety. All parts of the

room or garment work together to create a pleasing, whole

design.

• Harmony occurs when the parts of a design are related by a unified

design and consistency of style.

• Harmony is essential to successful design.

• Harmony is the final goal of any arrangement.

• Harmony demands that the sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and ideas

used to create the arrangement or design be related.

Unity + Variety = Harmony