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.
Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.
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