Elements of design

Understanding Design By choosing appropriate designs in clothing, people can make the most of their appearance. For job interviews and other special occasions, they can look their best and feel more comfortable.

Shape and Size Frames Two people of the same height can be different because of size. Small Medium Large Size Ratios While one person may have a long upper body and short legs, another may have a short upper body and short legs, another may have a short upper body and long legs.

Geometric Shape Rectangle: about the same width at shoulders, waist and hips…also known as the ruler shape. Hour-glass: about the same at chest and hips and small at the waist. Round: small in chest and hips and wide in waist…also know as the apple shape. Everyone has a different shape. Triangle: narrow shoulders and wide hips…also known as a pear shape. Inverted Triangle: wide shoulders and small hips…most men are this.

Creating Illusions No matter what your body shape, size and height you can use the designs and colors in fabric to create illusions to your look. As you’ve learned, illusions make things appear different than they actually are. A person who wants to look thinner in the thighs can choose a clothing design and color that help to create that illusion.

Elements of Design All of these elements can be used individually and in combination to create different visual effects, whether in a fabric pattern, a painting, a home’s décor, or an item of clothing. Color Line Shape Space Texture

Understanding Lines Line Types Straight Curved Zigzag Line Directions Vertical Horizontal Diagonal

Understanding Shape Also known as a silhouette, these shapes can either make the body shape underneath more or less noticeable. Natural- follows your body’s outline and fits close to emphasize the waistline. Tubular- is rectangular with a vertical emphasis. Bell- both diagonal and horizontal lines make up this shape. Full- have more horizontal and curved lines than the other shapes.

Understanding Space Once you make a shape you create space. Within that shape you can break it up with internal lines. This can be accomplished by using seams, decorative stitching and trims, and lines in the actual fabric. Think of the space within the garment and what you can do to embellish it.

Understanding Texture This area describes the surface characteristics that determine the look and feel of an object. Fabric gets its texture from the fibers, yarn, construction, and finishes used. Just as color and line create illusions, textures create different impressions too.

Weaves That Create Texture Plain Weave Basket Weave Twill Weave Satin Weave A B C D

Understanding Pattern Patterns come in a array of styles: stripes, plaids, geometrics, florals, scenics, borders, etc. They can also be large or small, even or uneven, light or dark, spaced or clustered, muted or bold. All of these aspects affect the way you look.

Principles of Design

How many of you have ever stood in front of your closet and have tried on one outfit after another to find one that works. You have followed all the of the elements but you also need some guidelines and that is what the principles of design do. Principles of design include: balance, proportion, emphasis, rhythm and harmony.

Understanding Balance Symmetrical Balance When the spaces on each side of a garment look just the same….mirrored images Asymmetrical Balance Outfits that don’t look the same on both sides. However to make them balance they might add a pocket, buttons or even an accessory like a scarf.

Understanding Proportion This describes how separate parts of a garment relate to each other and to the whole in size. In fashion design they usually use a 3 to 5 ratio. They came up with this because about 3/8ths of a person’s total height is above the waist and 5/8ths below. Depending on your body size these ratios may change.

Understanding Emphasis Emphasis is the focal point of a design, the part that draws your attention. On a garment they may use it for effect to make an outfit more unique or interesting. You should use emphasis to draw the eye to the parts you want to have be the center of interest.

Understanding Rhythm Repetition- A pattern repeats, as with rows of stripes. Radiation- Lines or patterns flow from a central location, the gathers in a skirt show this effect. Gradation- A pattern changes gradually, as in a change of size or color.

Understanding Harmony In the same way as music has harmony so does fashion. This is when all the elements of design compliment each other. Think of a bride on her wedding day. Not only does her shoes, hair, dress, and jewelry match, but they compliment the flowers, table setting and the other décor.

Putting it all together Balance Proportion Emphasis Rhythm Harmony Line Shape Space Texture Color Good Design Any of these elements and principles can be played on to create individuality.