The Principles of Design Fashion Design Unit 3 The Principles of Design

The Principles of Design Proportion/Scale Balance Rhythm Emphasis Harmony

Proportion/Scale When combining garments and accessories in an outfit, the proportion of each piece should be weighed. For instance, consider the length of a jacket in relation to the length of the pants, the length of the whole outfit, and the height of the wearer. This coat is huge for this small woman

Proportion Proportion is determined by the way in which total space is divided and by how the inner lines are arranged. One part of an outfit should not be out of scale with the others. When all parts work together the garment is well proportioned rather than out of proportion Proportion is not as pleasing when all areas are exactly equal in size. Unequal parts are more interesting. Also, an odd number of parts is more interesting than an even number. For example, three parts are more interesting than two or four.

Garment parts such as yolks, collars, and pockets, must be in proportion to the total design and wearer. The size of details such as buttons, pockets, and trimmings should also be related to the overall size of garment.

The Evolution of the Men’s Suit: In the 90’s loose fitting suits with large ties and wide square toed shoes where in… bleh Today we have a much slimmer fit! With the slimmer fit comes the skinner ties, the smaller collars on shirts, and the pointer toed shoes.

Accessories should be in proportion to the garment and body build of the wearer, too. A large belt would look fine on a taller person, but would look out of proportion on a person with a small frame.

Likewise, a tiny purse would look fine if carried by a petite woman but would look out of proportion if carried by a woman with a larger frame.

Prints and other textures must be scaled to their use. It is important that the design of the fabric be in proportion of the garment and the wearer. Prints and other textures must be scaled to their use. Large prints, plaids, or checks would over power a small person, on the other hand a tiny print would become lost on a larger person. Someone should check to see if she can breathe…

Assignment Using the fashion magazines you will create a unproportionable mode using several different pictures. Have fun and be creative and don’t follow a single proportion/scale rule. Cut out parts of several different models to create your unproportioned final model. Create your model on a piece of black cardstock and glue down each piece to create your full model. Title your finished product “Proportion?”

Unit 3: The Principles of Design Day 2: Balance Unit 3: The Principles of Design

The Principles of Design Proportion/Scale Balance Rhythm Emphasis Harmony

Balance Implies steadiness among the parts of the design. It involves the distribution of visual weight and is achieved by the way details are grouped. Balance brings overall stability to a design. It produces a feeling of rest or lack of movement. To achieve proper balance, a garment should have an equal amount of visual weight on each side.

Balance Color plays an important part in achieving balance. Warm an dark colors appear heavier than cool and light colors. A small amount of bright colors balance a large amount of a dull color. A small area of a warm color balance a larger amount of a cool color.

Balance Line and texture are also important to achieve harmonious balance. For instance one long line balances two short ones. One wide stripe balances two thin ones. A larger area of fine or soft texture balances a smaller areas of heavy or coarse texture.

Types of Balance: Formal Balance Formal balance is symmetrical. Both sides are the same to create a centered balance. Identical details are arranged the same distance from the center on both the right and the left sides. An example would be having the same number of pleats or tucks on each side of a part of trousers or a skirt.

Types of Balance: Informal Balance Informal balance is asymmetrical. Both sides are not the same. The design details are divided unequally from the center. If you cut the design in half, it is not the same on each half.

Assignment You will create two different designs. You will make one design symmetrical and one asymmetrical. Color each design, cut out, and mount on one sheet of black cardstock side by side. Label each design depending on what is “symmetrical” and “asymmetrical”

The Principles of Design Proportion/Scale Balance Rhythm Emphasis Harmony

Unit 3: The Principles of Design Day 3: Rhythm Unit 3: The Principles of Design

Rhythm Rhythm is the pleasing arrangement of the design elements so the eye moves easily over the apparel. Rhythm directs the flow of the eye movement steadily and smoothly through the lines and spaces of the design. The gaze unconsciously moves from one part to another. Rhythm can be created with repetition, gradation, transition, opposition, or radial arrangement.

Rhythm by Repetition Repeat lines, shapes, colors, or textures in a garment This can be done by using the same shaped edges on all parts. These edges could be rounded or scalloped. Repetition of colors an create good rhythm, especially if the colors are distributed in an interesting way. Rhythm by repletion can be achieved by repeating buttons, tucks, pleats, or trim.

Rhythm by Gradation Can also be called progression This type of rhythm implies a gradual increase or decrease of similar design elements. Colors can go from light to dark, or textures from fine to course. Lines may range from thick to thin, and shapes may range from small to large. The gradual change provides continuity while giving a feeling of movement.

Rhythm by Transition Transition is a fluid rhythm created by a curved line that leads the eye over an angle. The curved lines of transition cause the eye to change direction gradually rather than abruptly. Transition can be found in puff sleeves, dropped shoulder designs, etc. Transition can also be achieved by using scarves, shawls, ascots, jabots, ruffles, and gathers.

Rhythm by Opposition Opposition is created when lines meet to form right angles. Could be found in checks, plaids, square necklines, square pockets, waistbands, yokes, collars, and cuffs.

Rhythm by Radiation Radial arrangement are when lines emerge from a central point like rays. It is created when gathers, tucks, seams, darts, flowing lines, or colors fan out from a central area.

Assignment You will get two different copies at the front of the room of the croqui model in the plain sheath dress, or the male croqui in the plain t-shirt. You can do one of each or you can do 2 females or 2 males. You will pick two of the different types of rhythm that were discussed and add different details to the blank outfits to create that type of rhythm. Each design needs to be fully colored and titled the type of rhythm that you used.

The Principles of Design Proportion/Scale Balance Rhythm Emphasis Harmony

Day 4: Emphasis & Harmony Unit 3: The Principles of Design

Emphasis Emphasis is a concentration of interest in a particular part or area of a design. One part becomes more important or noticeable than all the others. It is the focal point that first attracts the eye.

Emphasis Continued Emphasis can be used in apparel to draw attention to a favorite personal feature. It can also draw the eye from a feature. away Emphasis can be used to spotlight the waist, chest, arms, shoulders, or another area.

Harmony

Harmony is achieved when unity and variety are effectively combined.

Unity The design is seen as “whole”. Unity can be achieved through matching and coordinating

Variety Variety can relieve plain designs by giving the eye a number of different details to look at.

How is Harmony achieved? Unity: Bow tie, and pants are both black, the buttons and the suspenders are both brown. Variety: The denim shirt adds visual interest when combined with the pinstriped dress pants.

How is Harmony achieved? Unity: the top is ivory while the skirt has ivory in its print. The earrings, necklace, and bracelet are all gold. Variety: The silk skirt against the woven top gives a contrast of texture.

How is Harmony achieved? Unity: The sweater and the clutch are both the same shade of pink, and white beads in the necklace match the white pants. Variety: The leopard print belt provides a print that isn’t seen in the rest of the outfit.

How is Harmony achieved? Unity: All pieces are black and white. Variety: The plaid jacket provides visual interest to the look.

How is Harmony achieved? Unity: the blue in the skirt matches the blue denim shirt. The nude shoes match the nude colors in the skirt. Variety: The denim shirt against the sequin skirt provide a contrast of textures.

Assignment part I You need to find 2 pictures from magazines that contain a full outfit that has an obvious focal point. You will cut the full picture out, not just the outline of the model. You will use the paper cutter to make the picture have straight edges, and to cut the picture down enough to fit on a 8 ½ X 11 piece of black cardstock. You will mount each picture on a different sheet of black cardstock. Use the small paper squares that are provided to write an explanation as to what the focal point of the outfit is and why. Glue the piece of paper on to the magazine picture. Title your assignment Emphasis/Focal Point See example at front of the room if confused.

Assignment Part II You will create one design that contains some type of unity and some type of variety. This can be achieved with prints, design details, colors, etc. This design needs to be fully colored, cut out, and mounted on black cardstock. You will need to use the small pieces of paper provided to write an explanation of how harmony is achieved with unity and variety; just like the examples we just went over. Title the design “Harmony” with white colored pencil.