USING THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Elements: 1. Communication can be verbal or non- verbal. Visual imagery (aka: design) is an example of non-verbal 2. Understanding and creating good design requires knowing design characteristics and the elements of design. 3. Design – the entire process used to develop a specific project.

THREE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS Function: How the design works. Includes usefulness, convenience and organization Construction: Materials and structure. Aesthetics: beauty, pleasing appearance or effect

FUNCTION Makes a product and/or room easier to use Considers the needs of the people who are using them Accommodates the ages, sizes and physical abilities of the users. Provides easy access and eliminates barriers

CONSTRUCTION Materials include: fabrics, woods, metals, plastics or stones Choosing appropriate materials to support the room’s function Must consider design quality, cost, maintenance, environmental implications, long term cost, etc. Must meet industry standard and/or government codes. How are they structured – is the product safe, durable

AESTHETICS Beauty is hard to define however good aesthetic design should be pleasing to many people. It may stimulate an emotion or communicate a message Ex: excitement or relaxation

Part 2 The Elements of Design

The Elements Designers use tools to design. These tools are called the elements of design Line Form Space Mass Texture Color – there is a lot to learn about color so we will cover more later 

Line Two types of lines are straight and curved Straight can be… Horizontal Direct your eyes across. They create a feeling of peace, relaxation, calmness and restfulness Examples in design: A mantel, a long sofa, a book shelf. Vertical Direct your eyes up and down. It suggest height, strength and dignity and stability. Examples in design: curtains wallpaper, tall mirrors. Diagonal (half way between vertical and horizontal) They represent activity. It also suggest movement, interest and excitement. Examples in design cathedral ceilings, staircases, lampshades. Curved Different degrees of curves communicate different ideas. They seem to be softer. It reflects organization, eternity and uniformity.

Form Form is the physical shape of objects . It outlines a three dimensional object and contains volume and mass. It has height, width and depth Types of form… Realistic – looks like the real thing. It communicates a lifelike, traditional, and familiar feeling. Abstract – rearranges or stylizes a recognizable object. It communicates a contemporary, changing, creative, and artistic feeling. Geometric – uses squares, rectangles, circles and other geometric figures. It communicates organization, order, planning and a tailored look Free – is random and flowing. You can find it in nature, plants, stones and wood. It communicates a sense of freedom

Space Space refers to the area around a form (ex: area around a table) and the area inside a form (ex: inside a room) Make sure you consider the size of the space and its arrangement Size – Height, length and width. Who will use the space and how will they use it. It can communicate positive or negative feelings. A large space will communicate openness and freedom. However an extremely large space (sports arena) might cause you to feel small and/or lost. Small spaces can make you feel warm and cozy however adding more people or furniture to the same space might make you feel small and/or crowded.

Mass Mass is the amount of pattern or object in a space Mass also refers to how crowded or empty a space appears High Mass – visually crowded Low Mass – visually simple and sparse

Texture Texture refers to the way something feels or appears to feel Two types.. Tactile – the way it feels to the touch Visual – you see but cannot feel