1. Chapter 12
Principles of Design

2. Principles of Design Design is the plan used to put an idea together.
Principles of design are guidelines for the use of the elements of design
Balance
Proportion
Emphasis
Rhythm

3. Body Terminology Figure = girl’s or woman’s body
Physique = boy’s or man’s body
Body Build = relationship among the different areas of the total human body
To determine your body build, you should do a self-evaluation or analysis of your body.
Assets = best qualities/parts of a person’s body
In apparel, we should strive to emphasize or accentuate our assets.
Liabilities = physical drawbacks of a person’s body

4. Use of Design Elements to Create Pleasing Visual Unity
When the elements of design are used according to the principles of design, harmony is created.
Harmony refers to pleasing visual unity
Gives the feeling that all parts of an outfit belong together and suit the wearer and the occasion.
The Elements of Design
color shape line texture
The Principles of Design
balance proportion emphasis rhythm
Harmony
balance pleasing visual unity
are used or arranged according to
to create

5. Balance Implies equilibrium or steadiness among the parts of a design
Brings overall stability to a design
Visual distribution of “weight” in the way details are grouped
Produces a feeling of rest, or a lack of movement

6. Balancing Apparel with Color
Warm and dark colors appear heavier than cool and light colors.
A small amount of bright color balances a large amount of dull color.
A small area of a warm color balances a larger amount of a cool color.
Large amounts of tints or neutrals balance smaller areas of shades or bright colors.

7. Types of Balance Formal Informal Symmetrical Most common type
Design details are divided equally to create a centered balance (both sides are the same)
Examples
Same number of tucks or pleats on each side
Pockets on both sides of a dress or pants
Informal
Asymmetrical
Design details are divided unequally from the center
Can be accomplished through colors, shapes, lines, and textures
Should not look heavier on one side than the other

8. Proportion Sometimes called Scale
Special relationship of all parts in a design to each other and to the whole
Garment designs should be related to the structure and proportion of the human body
Body is divided unequally
3/8 = From Waist to Head
5/8 = From Waist to Feet

9. Proportion in Apparel
It is most pleasing to divide a garment or outfit at a natural body division, such as the chest, waist, or hips.
Accessories should be in proportion to the garment and body build of the wearer.
Yokes, collars, pockets, and other apparel parts must be the right size for the total design and for the wearer.
Design of the fabric should be in proportion to the garment and the wearer.
Prints/textures must be scaled to their use.

10. Emphasis
Concentration of interest in a particular part or area of design
Causes one part of the design to be more “important” than all others
Focal point of the outfit can be created with
Contrast of color or texture
Structural lines and decorative trimmings
An unusual shape of an area of a contrasting design outline
A center of interest in apparel is commonly used to draw attention to the face

11. Rhythm
Concerned with the pleasing arrangement of the design elements, so eye movement flows steadily and smoothly through the design
Rhythm is broken when lines, trimmings, or fabric designs are not matched at the seams or at the other construction points

12. Ways to Create Rhythm Repetition Gradation Transition
Created in a design by repeated lines, shapes, colors, or textures
Example: Garment edges have the same shape
Gradation
Sometimes called Progression
A gradual increase or decrease of similar design elements
Example: Colors going from light to dark
Transition
Fluid rhythm created when curved or flowing lines lead the eye over an angle
Example: cap sleeves

13. Ways to Create Rhythm Opposition Radial Arrangement
Rhythm created when lines meet to form right angles
Examples: checks, plaids, square necklines
Radial Arrangement
Rhythm created by lines emerging from a central point
Examples: gathers, tucks, seams, darts, flowing lines, colors fanning out from a central area

14. 7 Most Common Body Types Tall and Thin Short and Thin Tall and Heavy
Short and Heavy
Top Heavy
Hip Heavy
Thick Middle

15. The “ideal” model shape for wearing clothes is Tall and Thin.
Avoid
Tight, straight dresses, skirts, or pants
Tiny fabric patterns
Frilly fashions
Bold vertical stripes or seams
Wear
Gathered or pleated skirts
Flared or wide-legged pants
Horizontal stripes and seams
Short and Thin
Avoid
Bulky textures
Large prints and plaids
Large pockets
Collars and cuffs
Wear
Bell, blouson, and flared silhouettes
Shirtwaist dresses
Business suits

16. The closer your width is to the ground, the shorter you look!
Tall and Heavy
Avoid
Loud prints
Checks and plaids
Horizontal stripes/lines
Wear
Garments with simple lines and little decoration
Subtle and muted prints and patterns in scale with the body
Pants should have straight or slightly flared legs
Garment shaping should be done with seams and darts
Short and Heavy
Avoid
Two-piece or two-colored garments that cut the body in half visually
Tight garments
Horizontal lines/stripes
Wear
Vertical lines/stripes
Empire or A-line dresses
Narrow and straight silhouettes

17. Top Heavy Hip Heavy Thick Middle Avoid Wear Avoid Wear
Clingy or shiny fabrics on the top
Wear
Dark colored tops with light colored bottoms
Hip Heavy
Tight fitting pants or skirts
Shirts that end at the hips
Skirts or pants should fit neither tightly nor with excessive fullness at hips
Pants should not taper
Light, bright, or printed tops with dark, dull-colored skirts or pants
Thick Middle
Avoid
Clingy styles and clothes with tightly fitted waistlines or belts
Baggy or bulky fit around the middle
Styles with trim or contrasting buttons at the center front
Wear
Smooth, lightweight fabrics
Use vertical lines giving an upward direction toward the face
Tubular silhouettes
Use garments that hang loosely from the shoulders