The Elements of Design Chapter 15

The 5 elements of design are: Space Line Form Color Texture There are guidelines to help you select individual wall and floor coverings, furnishings, and accessories that will look pleasing together. These guidelines are based on the elements of design. The 5 elements of design are: Space Line Form Color Texture

Space: The three - dimensional expanse, such as a room, that a designer is working with, as well as the area around or between objects within that expanse. (The size of the overall design space & the arrangement of objects in that space).

The use of space can affect a person’s feelings: Large Spaces – feelings of freedom and luxury

The use of space can affect a person’s feelings: But, too much empty space or too few furnishings can make a person feel lonely and uncomfortable

The use of space can affect a person’s feelings: Small Spaces – feel confined or crowded--if well-designed; can be made to feel “cozy” and “comfortable”

The use of space can affect a person’s feelings: Well designed small spaces make a person feel snug and secure and give an overall feeling of privacy or intimacy

What to do when there is not enough space: Limit the number of furnishings to keep as much space open as possible Select furniture with more than one function Select small furniture of a plain rather than an ornate design

How to make a large space appear smaller: Divide it with permanent or temporary room dividers

Arrange the furniture in small clusters, using folding screens to define small areas

Even if you cannot physically change a space, you can change its appearance by fooling the eye. Placing a narrow rug in the center of the room has the same effect as drawing a line through the rectangle. Two large area rugs also divide a room into two distinct parts

Line is the most basic design element Line delineates (defines) space, outlines form, and conveys a sense of movement or direction.

Line is the most basic design element Different lines create different feelings: Horizontal lines – restful Vertical lines suggest action

Line is the most basic design element Different lines create different feelings: Diagonal & Zigzag lines – indicate excitement and movement

Line is the most basic design element What happens when you have too many lines in a room? Continuous eye movement which leads to feeling tired and frustrated

To make a room appear greater in height with the use of line… Tall windows or long draperies draw your eyes in a vertical direction, emphasizing the vertical space.

If you want to suggest that the room has more width… Place the longest piece of furniture in a room on the longest wall Your eye tends to look past the edge of the furniture Use low sofas and bookshelves To carry the eye around the room & create the illusion of greater width Align the tops of small objects to create an illusion of greater width

Examples of two dimensional forms: Walls and Rugs Form (may be 2 or 3 dimensional) Form is the shape and structure of solid objects Examples of two dimensional forms: Walls and Rugs They have length and width but little or no depth

Examples of three dimensional forms: Rooms and Furniture Form (may be 2 or 3 dimensional) Form is the shape and structure of solid objects Examples of three dimensional forms: Rooms and Furniture They have length, width, and depth

Form may create a feeling of stability or instability: Created with large, heavy objects and long, low objects Instability Created when the bottom of an object is too small in proportion to the top or when the object is top heavy

Harmonious Designs: The design of every object fits well with others Texture: The appearance or feel of a surface

Texture can affect a room’s atmosphere: Plush, deep pile carpet & Furniture covered with soft fabric Provide sense of comfort Nubby, rough materials Feeling of ruggedness and stability Smooth velvets and heavy brocades Suggest luxury

Texture can affect a room’s atmosphere: Glass, metal, stone Feeling of coolness Carved wood Suggest a formal mood Three-dimensional patterns Give a feeling of formal elegance A sturdy bench and a single, heavy plank Give a casual, country look

Texture & Color How texture affects color: Smooth textures appear lighter in color than rough textures do How texture can add variety or interest: It can break up a monotonous surface

Sample Board The Sample Board is probably the most important presentation board in a designer’s portfolio, nothing gives a client as good an idea of a proposed scheme than a board with the actual materials mounted showing them in the right proportions to each other. It will give a graphic interpretation of the style achieved by the mix of colors (for wall and floor), fabrics, furniture, and accessories.

To put together professional sample boards: The board layout (how it is organized) has a specific arrangement. This arrangement is labeled and titled. The sample board is neat, organized, and creative

To put together professional sample boards: Color(s) for wall(s) Color(s) for Floor Colors for Fabrics (window treatments, chair covers, couches, etc.)

To put together professional sample boards: Furniture What kind are you including? What is the color/design of the furniture?

To put together professional sample boards: Accessories What kind are you including? What is the color/design of the accessories?