1. Housing

2.  These principles are a guideline to follow when working with the elements of design.  Together they can be used to create a pleasing design.  Principles of Design:  Proportion  Scale  Balance  Emphasis  Rhythm

3.  Is the ratio of one part to another, or one part to the whole.  The most effective proportions have an uneven ratio of 2:3, 3:5, and 5:8.  Even ratios of 1:1 or 1:2 are less pleasing.  For example, a rectangle table is more pleasing than a square.

4.  When selecting objects for the home designers pay careful attention to good proportion.  EX: The parts of a chair- the arms, legs, back, and seat- should be proportional to each other and to the chair as a whole. Each part should appear to belong to the whole.

5.  When proportion is wrong, people often react negatively without even understanding why.  EX: a low coffee table with large legs doesn’t look right because the parts do not have good proportions to each other or to the whole.  A tall wide lampshade is too large for a lamp with a small base. Not only does it appear disproportionate, but its function will be affected also.

6.  One of the most important features of proportion in house design is the relationship between the wall area and windows.  To achieve good proportion, the openings should not equal the wall area.  They should form a proportion of 1:3, 3:5, or 5:8.

7.  Scale refers to the relative size of an object in relation to other objects (similar to proportion).  When a design plan appears to be right, scale does not even come to mind, good scale has been achieved.  To achieve good scale, choose objects that are appropriate for human dimensions and the proper size for the space that they occupy.

8.  When choosing furniture, remember that large rooms require large-scale furnishings.  While small rooms require small-scale pieces.  Dominant pieces of furniture should be in scale to the furnishings that complements them.

9.  EX: a slender floor lamp would be out of scale placed next to a heavy chair, while a large floor lamp would be the correct scale.

10.  Furnishing should be in proper scale for people as well.  EX: a child’s room should have chairs/ furniture that are small scale to be functional & and comfortable for the persons using it.

11.  The purpose of balance is to project a sense of equilibrium.  Balance may be Symmetrical (formal) or Asymmetrical (informal).

12.  Symmetrical (formal) balance: is achieved through placement of identical objects on both sides of a central point.  Used frequently in architectural designs, landscaping, and room designs.  Formal balance gives a quiet, orderly feel to a room.

14.  Asymmetrical (informal) Balance: the placement of different but equivalent objects on either side of a central point.  Various forms, textures, and colors can be used together to achieve informal balance.

16.  Emphasis refers to the center of attention or interest in a design.  It is the feature that repeatedly draws attention.  The center of interest in a room is usually a fireplace, window, work of art, or dominant piece of furniture.  To achieve effective emphasis:  Point of interest should dominate but not overpower.  No other features should compete with the focal point.  `

18.  Rhythm leads the eye from one place to another in a design.  Rhythm can be created though:  Repetition  Gradation  Transition  Radiation

19.  Repetition: achieved by repeating color, line, form, or texture.

20.  Created by a gradual change in color value, such as dark to light or a change in form, such as large to small.

21.  Created by curved lines that carry the eye over an architectural feature. Also used to carry the eye over rounded parts of furniture.

22.  Created by lines that flow outward from a central from a central point.