ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Design

Where is Design?

Where do We See It…

Clothing & apparel InteriorsArchitectureComputersPhonesMicrowavesCarsSchoolsFood packagingBridges Parks Artwork

What do they all have in common…

Well thought throughHave purposeOrganized in come wayTake thought and planningUse creativityOthers?

What type of design inspires you?

As a class, we are going to walk throughout the school and outside around (parts of) the building.

Use your phone to take pictures of things that inspire you and/or where you “see” design.

When we return, you will look through the pictures you took and choose 5 to keep for a later application activity (so we won’t clog up your phone ).

There are no “right/correct” answers/photos for this activity.

Design

The Elements of Design

Color

Shape-Form

Line

Texture

Space

Are used or arranged according

to

The Principles of Design

Balance

Proportion

Emphasis

Rhythm

To

Create

Harmony

Pleasing

Visual

Unity

Line

A distinct elongated mark with direction, width and length which conveys a sense of movement Eyes follow lines Lines outline and form outer and inner

spaces of garments or items Connect different parts of the design Can emphasize or conceal

(depending on direction)

The “feeling” of lines

Lines can portray different “feelings” or emotion.

On a piece of paper or your folder, draw 5 different lines that each represent a different feeling. How did you decide what type of line represented

what feeling? What did the lines that represented a particular

feeling have in common? What made each line “feel” different?

What feelings did you choose? Flirty, bold, angry, happy, whimsical, strong, boring,

sad…

Lines

 Types of Lines: Straight, curved & zig-zag Straight Lines—Horizontal & Vertical Horizontal:

Signify things being at Rest Emphasize width (or spaces and people)

Examples: Sofa takes your gaze across the room, the horizontal stripes on the tank draws your eyes across and makes the body look wider.

Lines

Vertical Signify strength and Stability (housing)Long windows,

drapes add height Bold and Severe (clothing) Dignity, Power, Formality Can look stiff In clothing are known to be slimming

Examples: Neckties, vertical buttons on a shirt, seaming on clothing, High-heeled shoes, pleated skirts, striped patterns, long drapery.

 

LinesCurved

Rounded and circular shape Can make a space look larger Less formal and structured Creates a soft, gentle, graceful appearance Is typically flattering to the human shape Too many curves can be confusing to a design or not

pleasing to look at. Zig-zag, Jagged or diagonal

Very noticeable Exciting, bold, fun-loving feeling Very “trendy” at the moment, especially

in home design. Chevron

Line

The Goal is for lines to work together in a Design.

Shape

When lines are connected, they create a shape (our next design element).

On your piece of paper or folder, draw 2 different shapes by connecting a series of lines. Use the types of lines we discussed earlier in class.

Shape refers to the outline and/or silhouette. Shapes can be simple and standard

Square, circle, triangle, heartShapes can also be complex and abstract

Freehand drawings

ShapeShape is the outline when seen from a distanceCreated by cut and construction of an itemCan reveal or disguise natural body contourWe try to use shape to flatter good features and

hide less attractive features Can draw attention to or away (Shoulder Pads for

ex) Full or wide shapes can make people look larger Slim or compact shapes can make people look

smaller Straight, elongated or tubular shapes can add

height

4 Types of Shape (in clothing)

Natural Shape Follow your body’s proportion. Close to the body and emphasize natural waist line. Most classic and typically what people wear

Tubular Shape Rectangular with vertical emphasis. The dominant

lines go up and down. The natural waistline is not defined. A flapper dress or straight leg pants are examples.

4 Types of Shape

A-Line Shape Combines both vertical and horizontal silhouette and is

flattering to most women. A-line skirts and dresses, flared pants and jackets are

examples. Can be full bodied A-line (dress or coat) or partial (jacket or

pants). Full Shape

Typically created with horizontal and curved lines Add weight, bulk and size to the figure, but also hides figure

flaws Gathered skirts and dresses, full sleeves and pants with wide

legs are examples. Unstructured or oversized garments typically fit this category.

Examples: A-Line-

Examples:Full Shape

Gathered skirt & wide leg pants

What type of shape do these represent?

Form

Usually associated with Interior/Exterior Designs and furnishingsDescribes shape and structure of solid objectsMay be 2 or 3 dimensional (has length and

width)Large or heavy objects give a feeling of stabilityLight or delicate objects give a feeling of fragilityPerceived weight can make an object appear

lighter or heavier (Ex. item that looks like it is made of stone)

Form

What feelings do the “form” of these couches create?

Shape & Form Application

On the top of your paper, draw a shape…it can be simple or complex.

Now, using play-dough (provided by the teacher) try to create the “form” of that shape.

Call the teacher over to check your form and shape when you are done.

Now try a more difficult shape/form combination!

This should be a good example of how shape and form are different but related.

Space

Space can refer to two things… The three-dimensional expanse that a designer is working with The area around or between objects (2 OR 3 dimensional)

Most often used in describing interior or structural designLarge & open spaces=feeling of freedom sometimes luxuryToo much open space = lonely and uncomfortable feelingWell designed small spaces = snug, secure feelingPoorly designed small spaces = cramped and overcrowded 

Space

Positive & Negative Space

Positive space refers to the main image or focal point in a picture or setting.

Negative space is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image.

Typically negative space is white and the positive space of the image is white…when we reverse that…the negative space becomes much more obvious.

It almost becomes like an optical illusion. EXAMPLE: Rubin's vase

Texture

Appearance or feel of an object’s or garment’s surface can influence the way people feel

o Plush carpet, soft fabric on furniture = sense of comforto Nubby, rough materials = ruggedness and stabilityo Smooth, velvet, satin = luxuryo Glass, metal, stone = coolness

Texture can influence appearance of sizeo Loosely woven fabric or bulky knit = largero Tightly woven (satin) = smaller

Texture can influence color Smooth appear lighter-they reflect light Rough appear darker-absorb light

Texture can add interest and variety You can have on an outfit that is all black, but by adding

different textured fabrics, you add interest. Visual Texture- textures can be created by

printing/other techniques Wall paper may look rough but feel smooth to the touch

Tactile Texture-Feels rough/smooth to the touch Fur, rugs, wool

Texture

Texture Examples

The End Result

All of the “elements” contribute to the overall design of a product.

We arrange the “elements” to create the “principles”.

The GOAL is to great an item with “good design” which is… Pleasing to the eye They can also …

Be functional (typically) Easy to use or wear Make a statement

Application Yarn Bowls Activity

To show how line, shape, form & space can be used together, try this activity. Blow up a balloon to a desired size (large or small bowl)

Take yarn, cover it with modge podge or liquid glue (using gloves)

Drape the yarn over the top ½ of the balloon You can use multiple pieces of yarn or one long strand

Throughout the process, look at the shapes you have created and the amount of yarn you have used and continue to cover your balloon until you like the look of it. It can be as organized or as “free form” as you would like

Let the balloon sit in a cup or mug overnight to dry

Pop the balloon after the yarn has had plenty of time to harden

See what you have created---a yarn bowl that incorporates line that create shapes and then shapes that create a form.

Application (Round #1)

Using the 5 photos you choose from our “design walk”, you are going to… Look through each and identify the elements each

picture represents, or what element stands out to you. Email me or text me with your 3 favorite images

and/or the ones that strongly represent one of the elements. Abby_underman@olsd.us 614-893-0212

Make sure you explain the element(s) Example: This image represents zig-zag lines or this

image represents form because the stone bench creates a heavy feeling.

Positive & Negative Space Application

In order to better understand the concept of positive & negative space…lets try tthis activity! Directions: Cut a large shape from a ½ sheet of paper (8 X 10). Throw away all scraps.

Cut that shape into AT LEAST NINE or more strips or pieces.

Re-form the pieces into the original shape by laying them on top of the second sheet of paper (construction paper or contrasting color).

From here…It’s kind of like putting a puzzle together.

Expand the shape by gradually sliding the pieces apart in different directions. Experiment with different amounts of negative space between the pieces.

After deciding upon the most pleasing arrangement, glue the pieces to the sheet of contrasting paper.

Glue the “cut out” from your original shape on the opposite side of the paper. What did you find to be the most pleasing to the eye? More or less negative space?

How is the new shape more interesting than the original?

How did the use of color affect the positive & negative space?