Elements of Design Assignments and grading sheets

Elements/Interiors/Fashion  Most of these assignments can be applied to both Interiors and Fashion, but I change a couple of them for Clothing.  I like to give time in class for my students to work on these things so I can answer their questions and see them do the work.  Things you will need to do these assignments are computers, to use Polyvore and Pinterest, Black sharpies of varying tip sizes from extra fine to wide tip, and paint – your choice, and color pencils  Take, use and change anything as you see fit

Elements of Design Space, Line, Texture, Shape, Form, Color

Space this is the area the designer works with There is Negative and Positive space - Negative space is filled - Positive space is empty

Negative/Positive Space  Negative space - the space around and between the subject(s) of an image.  Positive space - the areas in a work of art that are the subjects, or areas of interest.  I have students use one black and one white piece of construction paper. On the black piece of paper they cut out furniture pieces – for the room of their choice and place them on the white paper and then do the same exact thing on the opposite color page..

Line Line is many and varied and they give the illusion of a particular feeling. Horizontal – lead the eye from left to right, suggests informality and restfulness Vertical – Lead the eye up and down, add height, formality and strength Curved – add softness and gracefulness to design Diagonal suggest action and movement and excitement

Black and White Assignment For this assignment you will need sharpies and Pinterest (for ideas and inspiration). This is an activity to use all the different lines in different thicknesses. IF you were doing this for Fashion you could have them do these lines within a t-shirt or other printouts.

Samples of Line Work

Texture Texture adds variety and interest Visual – the appearance of a surface Tactile – the feel of a surface Audible – the Sound a surface makes when rubbed Light also affects the appearance of texture: Shiny textures reflect more light and appear brighter. Rough textures reflect little light thus they appear darker.

Texture Formal textures are shiny, refined, smooth – such as marble, and polished silver Informal are rough, heavily textured walls such as bricks, Slate Textures evoke:  a physical response  Sound qualities  The care and upkeep of a product  Is a source of beauty and character

Texture Assignment  I asked students to find a picture of either an interior or an exterior.  Then they had to find 3 different surfaces to copy in a 2’ x 2” square  They needed to color them using color pencils.  They could use Pinterest or the text book to look at textures and try to mimic them.  I wasn’t looking for anything too technical, but I was looking for the realism in their work.  I googled texture and was specific with using words like, drawing wood, drawing concrete, etc.

Samples of work

Shape & Form Shape  Shape is two dimensional  It is organic or geometric  With dough create a 2-D flat object – example: dice – but make it flat Form  Form is three dimensional  It is organic or geometric  With dough use same object and make it 3-D – dice – but not flat, but in the shape of a cube.  For both I have them draw their example first.

Color  This section takes the longest to complete. But it is the most fun and you can tailor this more for fashion if you need.  I start with a color association worksheet to get their feelings on emotions and colors  Then I show a PPT on colors before I have them make a color board. This is a good opportunity to show them how to make a nice board with clean cut lines and nice pictures.  All of the worksheets are provided.  In regards to paint – I like using the little dollar paints from Michaels – I only buy Black, white, red, yellow and blue. They have to mix the rest.

Color Polyvore  Another Assignment I do is Using Polyvore – the worksheet is attached with all of the instructions.  The instructions are complete if you have not used Polyvore before. The kids enjoy doing this project and I demonstrate on the overhead before they begin.  It’s easy to use and can be done on any computer – anywhere.

Elements of Design  I’ve also included something that I pulled from the internet at “the smart teacher.com   I found this from Pinterest – they are free for you to use – but it doesn’t give the answers.  I hope Nina will let me do another webinar on the Principles of Design… Those are my favorite!