ELEMENTS OF DESIGN Design

Where is Design? Where do We See It… Clothing & apparel Interiors Architecture Computers Phones Microwaves Cars Schools Food packaging Bridges Parks Artwork What do they all have in common… Well thought through Have purpose Organized in come way Take thought and planning Use creativity Others?

What type of design inspires you? As a class, we are going to walk throughout the school and outside around (parts of) the building. Use your phone to take pictures of things that inspire you and/or where you “see” design. When we return, you will look through the pictures you took and choose 5 to keep for a later application activity (so we won’t clog up your phone ). There are no “right/correct” answers/photos for this activity.

Design The Elements of Design Color Shape-Form Line Texture Space Are used or arranged according to The Principles of Design Balance Proportion Emphasis Rhythm To Create Harmony Pleasing Visual Unity

Line A distinct elongated mark with direction, width and length which conveys a sense of movement  Eyes follow lines  Lines outline and form outer and inner spaces of garments or items  Connect different parts of the design  Can emphasize or conceal  (depending on direction)

The “feeling” of lines Lines can portray different “feelings” or emotion. On a piece of paper or your folder, draw 5 different lines that each represent a different feeling.  How did you decide what type of line represented what feeling?  What did the lines that represented a particular feeling have in common?  What made each line “feel” different? What feelings did you choose?  Flirty, bold, angry, happy, whimsical, strong, boring, sad…

Lines Types of Lines: Straight, curved & zig-zag Straight Lines— Horizontal & Vertical Horizontal :  Signify things being at Rest  Emphasize width (or spaces and people)  Examples: Sofa takes your gaze across the room, the horizontal stripes on the tank draws your eyes across and makes the body look wider.

Lines Vertical  Signify strength and Stability (housing)Long windows, drapes add height  Bold and Severe (clothing)  Dignity, Power, Formality  Can look stiff  In clothing are known to be slimming Examples: Neckties, vertical buttons on a shirt, seaming on clothing, High-heeled shoes, pleated skirts, striped patterns, long drapery.

Lines Curved  Rounded and circular shape  Can make a space look larger  Less formal and structured  Creates a soft, gentle, graceful appearance  Is typically flattering to the human shape  Too many curves can be confusing to a design or not pleasing to look at. Zig-zag, Jagged or diagonal  Very noticeable  Exciting, bold, fun-loving feeling  Very “trendy” at the moment, especially in home design.  Chevron

Line

The Goal is for lines to work together in a Design.

Shape When lines are connected, they create a shape (our next design element). On your piece of paper or folder, draw 2 different shapes by connecting a series of lines.  Use the types of lines we discussed earlier in class. Shape refers to the outline and/or silhouette. Shapes can be simple and standard  Square, circle, triangle, heart Shapes can also be complex and abstract  Freehand drawings

Shape Shape is the outline when seen from a distance Created by cut and construction of an item Can reveal or disguise natural body contour We try to use shape to flatter good features and hide less attractive features  Can draw attention to or away (Shoulder Pads for ex)  Full or wide shapes can make people look larger  Slim or compact shapes can make people look smaller  Straight, elongated or tubular shapes can add height

4 Types of Shape (in clothing) Natural Shape  Follow your body’s proportion.  Close to the body and emphasize natural waist line.  Most classic and typically what people wear Tubular Shape  Rectangular with vertical emphasis. The dominant lines go up and down.  The natural waistline is not defined.  A flapper dress or straight leg pants are examples.

4 Types of Shape A-Line Shape  Combines both vertical and horizontal silhouette and is flattering to most women.  A-line skirts and dresses, flared pants and jackets are examples.  Can be full bodied A-line (dress or coat) or partial (jacket or pants). Full Shape  Typically created with horizontal and curved lines  Add weight, bulk and size to the figure, but also hides figure flaws  Gathered skirts and dresses, full sleeves and pants with wide legs are examples.  Unstructured or oversized garments typically fit this category.

Examples: A-Line-

Examples: Full Shape Gathered skirt & wide leg pants

What type of shape do these represent?

Form Usually associated with Interior/Exterior Designs and furnishings Describes shape and structure of solid objects May be 2 or 3 dimensional (has length and width) Large or heavy objects give a feeling of stability Light or delicate objects give a feeling of fragility Perceived weight can make an object appear lighter or heavier (Ex. item that looks like it is made of stone)

Form

What feelings do the “form” of these couches create?

Shape & Form Application On the top of your paper, draw a shape…it can be simple or complex. Now, using play-dough (provided by the teacher) try to create the “form” of that shape. Call the teacher over to check your form and shape when you are done. Now try a more difficult shape/form combination! This should be a good example of how shape and form are different but related.

Space Space can refer to two things…  The three-dimensional expanse that a designer is working with  The area around or between objects (2 OR 3 dimensional) Most often used in describing interior or structural design Large & open spaces=feeling of freedom sometimes luxury Too much open space = lonely and uncomfortable feeling Well designed small spaces = snug, secure feeling Poorly designed small spaces = cramped and overcrowded

Space

Positive & Negative Space Positive space refers to the main image or focal point in a picture or setting. Negative space is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Typically negative space is white and the positive space of the image is white…when we reverse that…the negative space becomes much more obvious. It almost becomes like an optical illusion. EXAMPLE: Rubin's vase

Texture Appearance or feel of an object’s or garment’s surface can influence the way people feel o Plush carpet, soft fabric on furniture = sense of comfort o Nubby, rough materials = ruggedness and stability o Smooth, velvet, satin = luxury o Glass, metal, stone = coolness Texture can influence appearance of size o Loosely woven fabric or bulky knit = larger o Tightly woven (satin) = smaller

Texture can influence color  Smooth appear lighter-they reflect light  Rough appear darker-absorb light Texture can add interest and variety  You can have on an outfit that is all black, but by adding different textured fabrics, you add interest. Visual Texture- textures can be created by printing/other techniques  Wall paper may look rough but feel smooth to the touch Tactile Texture-Feels rough/smooth to the touch  Fur, rugs, wool Texture

Texture Examples

The End Result All of the “elements” contribute to the overall design of a product. We arrange the “elements” to create the “principles”. The GOAL is to great an item with “good design” which is…  Pleasing to the eye  They can also …  Be functional (typically)  Easy to use or wear  Make a statement

Application Yarn Bowls Activity To show how line, shape, form & space can be used together, try this activity.  Blow up a balloon to a desired size (large or small bowl)  Take yarn, cover it with modge podge or liquid glue (using gloves)  Drape the yarn over the top ½ of the balloon  You can use multiple pieces of yarn or one long strand  Throughout the process, look at the shapes you have created and the amount of yarn you have used and continue to cover your balloon until you like the look of it.  It can be as organized or as “free form” as you would like  Let the balloon sit in a cup or mug overnight to dry  Pop the balloon after the yarn has had plenty of time to harden  See what you have created---a yarn bowl that incorporates line that create shapes and then shapes that create a form.

Application (Round #1) Using the 5 photos you choose from our “design walk”, you are going to…  Look through each and identify the elements each picture represents, or what element stands out to you.  me or text me with your 3 favorite images and/or the ones that strongly represent one of the elements.    Make sure you explain the element(s)  Example: This image represents zig-zag lines or this image represents form because the stone bench creates a heavy feeling.

Positive & Negative Space Application In order to better understand the concept of positive & negative space…lets try tthis activity! Directions: Cut a large shape from a ½ sheet of paper (8 X 10). Throw away all scraps. Cut that shape into AT LEAST NINE or more strips or pieces. Re-form the pieces into the original shape by laying them on top of the second sheet of paper (construction paper or contrasting color). From here…It’s kind of like putting a puzzle together. Expand the shape by gradually sliding the pieces apart in different directions. Experiment with different amounts of negative space between the pieces. After deciding upon the most pleasing arrangement, glue the pieces to the sheet of contrasting paper. Glue the “cut out” from your original shape on the opposite side of the paper.  What did you find to be the most pleasing to the eye? More or less negative space?  How is the new shape more interesting than the original?  How did the use of color affect the positive & negative space?