Elements of Design “The Tools”

Elements of Design Elements are the building blocks or “Tools” of design. Color: Most exciting element of design Shape: Overall outline of a garment, it is the form or silhouette. Line: Distinct, elongated mark as if drawn by a pencil or pen. Texture: The surface quality of goods.

Color Wheel There are 12 hues in the spectrum of color. They are divided into three categories

Primary Colors Red, Yellow, and Blue These colors cannot be created by mixing any other colors together

Secondary Colors Green, violet, and orange Made by combining 2 of the Primary colors together

Tertiary or Intermediate Colors Yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet, red-orange, yellow-orange. Made by combining a primary and a secondary hue. Named by the Primary color first.

Monochromatic Color Scheme Based on one color from the color wheel. Uses light, medium and dark values Uses neutral colors to balance color distribution

Complementary Color Scheme Two colors that are exactly opposite on the color wheel – can be lightened, darkened, brightened or dulled.

Complementary

Triad Color Scheme Three colors that are equidistant on the color wheel – such as red, yellow and blue.

Triad

Analogous Color Scheme Three to six colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel.

Split Complementary Color Scheme Consists of a base hue and the two colors that are on either side of its direct complement – such as green, red-violet and red orange.

Neutral Color Scheme White, off-white, gray, black and off-black. Browns and beiges are also considered neutrals, even they are actually neutralized color tones. Does not use colors from color wheel

Color Forecasting Color Association of the United States Color Marketing Group International Colour Authority Pantone

Shape/Silhouette Form of a garment Outline seen from a distance Reveal or hide body contour Try to flatter good features and hide less attractive features

Silhouette Wide shapes make you look bigger Trim, compact silhouettes make you look smaller Straight, tubular shapes make you look taller Form fitting clothes should only be worn by figures that are near-perfect

Line Direction, width, length Eyes follow lines Lines suggest movement, leading eyes up, down, side-to-side Outline outer and inner spaces of garments

Structural – lines required to maintain the structure of the garment; for example, seams Decorative – lines created by the designer for decoration; for example, a printed-on design

Straight Lines Message Illusion Strong, Formal, Masculine, Severe Emphasizes body lines and angles

Straight Lines Placements Closures, Necklines, Collars, Lapels, Seam lines, Darts, Tucks, Pleats, Stripes

Curved Lines Rounded, circular Less formal Gentle, soft, youthful Circles are closed lines and stop the eye entirely

Curved Lines Message Illusion Romantic, Casual, Feminine, Graceful Emphasizes rounded curves, counters straight lines

Jagged Lines Jagged: change direction abruptly Create a jumpy, confused feeling Use sparingly, they are very noticeable

LINE DIRECTION: Vertical Feeling of dignity and strength Leads eye up and down, makes wearer look taller and thinner

Vertical lines Message Formal, stiff, business-like, Illusion Emphasizes height, slimming

LINE DIRECTION: Diagonal Degree of slant determines the visual effect Draws attention to where they are used

Diagonal Lines Message Active, dramatic, in motion, Illusion Counters vertical and horizontal lines

Dress Lines

LINE DIRECTION: Horizontal Leads eye across the body, makes wearer seem shorter and wider Use where you want to look wider

Horizontal Lines Message Restful, calm, relaxed Illusion Shortness, counters vertical lines

Texture Surface quality of garments (how it looks and feels) Bulky fabrics Add visual size (make you look bigger) Can disguise a flaw Can overpower a small person

Texture Shiny textures make you look bigger, as they reflect light

Texture Dull Textures make you look smaller, as they absorb light Smooth, flat textures make you look smaller