housing - line
TRANSCRIPT
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Elements of design are “tools”.
•Just like the carpenter has a hammer and saw, the designer has the elements.
There are 4 elements of design: LINE, Form, Color, & Texture.
Line: the extension of a pointLine delineates space, outlines form, and conveys a sense of movement or direction. It can be straight or curved. Line can express various feelings and emotions.
There are 4 basic types of lines:
Horizontal
Diagonal
Lines are derived from nature…
Vertical
Curved
Horizontal lines suggest a solid, harmonious relationship with the Earth; the Earth's gravity has no further pull. This gives a stabilizing, peaceful
harmonious effect to window treatments. When found in a connecting architectural detail such as molding, horizontal lines provide a smooth
transition between rooms or areas. If they lead to a focal point, they help to emphasize it. When horizontal lines lead to a window, the eye stops at the
outside view or the beauty of the decorative window treatment.
• Horizontal Lines: Solidity, stability, peaceful/restful, harmonious, weighty, secure
Too many horizontal lines in an interior may become boring and lack
visual interest. Horizontal lines make a room appear wider or longer.
Vertical lines: dignified, stable, formal, imposing, strength
Vertical lines lift the eye upward and suggest tallness or height. They have the
ability to lift the mind and the spirit as well. As such, vertical lines are
purposeful tools for architects and designers of churches and public
buildings because they inspire awe and tend to diminish the significance of
human scale. Vertical lines are stable because they
represent a perpendicular resistance to Earth's gravity. They convey a feeling of
strength and dignity and are quite appropriate in formal living areas, as well
as offices and public meeting and performing spaces.
However, this formality can bring stiffness or a commanding feeling to the
interior. Too many vertical lines can cause a feeling of uneasiness, of too much confinement and predictability. People will feel they must pay more
attention and sit up straighter, which can become tiresome.
Diagonal lines are flexible because their exact direction may vary from shallow to
steep angles. Diagonal lines generally suggest movement, action or dynamism,
perhaps because diagonal lines are associated with going places—up or
down a staircase or escalator, the taking off or landing of an airplane, for example.
Diagonal lines are interesting, possibly because the angles seem
to defy gravity and the eye and mind are stimulated. Yet diagonal lines also can be secure, such as the reinforcing diagonals of a roof
truss system. Too many diagonal lines,
particularly on a wall or at the window, can be over stimulating,
compete with horizontal or vertical lines and perhaps become
tiresome.
• Diagonal Lines: Action, movement, interest, stability.
Zigzag lines are short diagonal lines that reverse upon themselves and form
a regular or irregular pattern. A zigzag line can be one single line or several in a set. A set of regular zigzag lines is called a chevron or herringbone pattern, and irregular zigzag lines are
typically called a flamestitch pattern.
Angular zigzag lines can add energy and life to an
interior. If too many zigzag lines are incorporated,
however, the effect can be confusing, frenzied and
agitating.
• Zigzag Lines: Exciting, lively, rhythmic movement.
Chevron or Herringbone Flamestitch
Curved or circular lines provide relief and softness to straight and angular lines and balance the harshness of too many straight lines. Curved lines
give a human quality to interiors; they can be easy on the eyes and pleasing to view. Tightly curved lines can add playfulness, frivolity, and zest.
A series of curved lines, such as an arcade (a procession of arches), gives a rhythmic cadence to an interior, suggesting graceful movement. In
architectural components, round or elliptical segments (sections of circles or ovals), such as archways and arched transoms or fanlights, provide
graceful dignity to interiors.
Curved Lines: Soft, humanizing, gracefulness, joyful.
Generously curved lines are viewed as feminine.
An excess of curved lines may become too decorative and
consequently, visually demanding.
Eclectic is a word that is used widely in the field of housing design. It simply means “a combination”. When using line in design, it means that
several different types of line are present in significant amounts. The designer must be careful not to combine the different types of line in a
manner that appears confusing or lacking in “taste”. One line will often be planned to dominate in order to accomplish a desired effect.
Eclectic: a combination
Curved, horizontal, diagonal, and vertical lines are present. What do you think?
By Your NameDesign Object: Clock
CURVED LINE: Easy on the eyes; pleasing to view
VERTICAL: Dignified
DIAGONAL LINE: Interesting
HORIZONTAL: Sturdy
1. Select a specific design “object”. This example uses a clock, so you must choose something else. Perhaps a window treatment, silverware pattern, a table lamp, etc.
2. Find 4 colored magazine or catalog pictures of your object that illustrate all 4 types of line… making sure the line is part of the structure of the object, not just the print on fabric.
3. Select a sheet of colored 8x10” paper, and use it horizontally or vertically.
4. Title your project: Identifying Line in Design
5. Add your name and identify your design object
6. Mount the pictures; you may want to mat them for neatness
7. Label each picture with the type of line and one or two words about the effect of the line
8. Apply a border if desired
By Your Name
Design Object: Clock
CURVED LINE: Easy on the
eyes; pleasing to view
DIAGONAL LINE: Interesting
VERTICAL: Dignified
HORIZONTAL: Sturdy
By Your NameDesign Object: Interior Decorating
Fabric
Curved print: design on the sheets in a preschool girl’s
room
Horizontal print: seat cushions on the kitchen
dinette
Vertical print: the upholstery on the
sun porch furniture
Diagonal print: used to cover throw pillows in the
family game room
1. Select a specific design material, either wallpaper OR fabric.
2. Find 4 actual samples of your design material (not pictures), illustrating all 4 types of line. The line should not be part of the structure, but will be in the actual print.
3. Select a sheet of colored 8x10” paper, and use it horizontally or vertically.
4. Title your project: Identifying Line in Design, add your name, and identify your design material.
5. Mount the samples; you may want to mat them for neatness
6. Wallpaper samples should be labeled with the type of line AND the room of the house where you would put this paper. Fabric samples should be labeled with the type of line AND the specific room and item of furniture that would be adorned with this fabric (dining room chairs).
7. Apply a border if desired.
By Your NameDesign Object: Interior Decorating Fabric
Curved print: design on the sheets in a
preschool girl’s room
Horizontal print: seat cushions on the kitchen
dinette
Vertical print: the upholstery on the sun porch furniture
Diagonal print: used to cover throw pillows in the family
game room