1. Design
The elements of design are: space, line, shape, form, texture, and color

2. Space Space: The area provided for a particular purpose.
Divisions of space can provide a sense of privacy and security.
A fence or hedge outdoors screens out unwanted views/noise.
Furniture and partial walls can accomplish the same goal inside a house.

3. Clustering furniture and accessories into groups or using dividers can make large rooms seem more intimate.
Too much furniture reduces the space in a room until it feels overcrowded.
Objects grouped into large units will create a more ordered space.

4. Line Line: The visual direction of a design.
Can be used to emphasize a pleasing element or disguise an undesirable one.
In design, one type of line should dominate. Others can be added for interest.

5. Vertical lines lead the eye up, adding height, formality, and strength to a design.
Tall furniture, columns, pillars, striped wallpaper, long, narrow curtains.

6. Horizontal lines lead the eye to the left or right, suggesting informality and restfulness.
Can make buildings, rooms, and furniture seem wider and shorter.

7. Diagonal lines suggest action, movement, and excitement.
Can be overpowering and tiring, therefore they should be used sparingly in design.
Staircases, cathedral ceilings, and gable roofs

8. Curved lines add a softening, graceful effect to design.
Too many curved lines create a busy look.
Can be seen in doorway arches, ruffled curtains, curved furniture, and rounded accessories.

9. Shape
Shape: A flat or silhouette image. Shape is a design with two dimensions: length and width.
Can consist of perfect geometric shapes (square, triangle, circle, etc.) and imperfect geometric shapes.
Imperfect shapes tend to create tension and attract greater interest, therefore they should be used in small amounts.

10. Form Form: The outlined edges of a three-dimensional object.
Common geometric forms: cubes, pyramids, cones, and spheres. Other examples would be found in furniture and architecture.
A room is more pleasing if the form of the dominant piece is repeated in minor pieces and accessories within a room.

11. Texture Texture: A surface’s tactile quality.
Tactile refers to the perception of touch. Not only how a surface feels but also how it appears to feel.
Ribbed, crinkled, rough, and smooth are some words used to describe various textures.
A room with the same texture throughout is monotonous, but too many different textures can appear disjointed and distracting.
Most well-designed rooms have a dominant texture with accents of contrasting textures.

12. Texture can affect color by subduing or intensifying it.
Smooth surfaces reflect more light than rough surfaces, making them look lighter and brighter.
Rough surfaces absorb more light making them look darker and less intense.

13. Color Most important element of design.
(Our next chapter will be devoted to color)

14. Principles of Design
Principles of design are guidelines to follow when working with the elements of design.
Proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, and rhythm.

15. Proportion
Proportion: The ratio of one part to another part or of one part to the whole.
Most effective proportions have an uneven ratio or 2:3, 3:5, or 5:8. Even rations are 1:1 or 1:2 are less pleasing to the eye.
A coffee table that is 2/3rds the length of a couch in more pleasing than a coffee table that is ½ the length, or the same length as the couch.

16. Golden Section: A series of numbers that progress by the sum of the two previous numbers.
2:3, 3:5, 5:8, 8:13, 13:21, and so forth.

17. Scale
Scale: The size of an object in relation to a standard or familiar size.
Choose objects that are appropriate for human dimensions and the proper size for the space they occupy.
Furnishings should be in proper scale for people as well as the space they occupy.
When choosing furniture, remember
large rooms require large-scale furnishings.

18. Balance Balance is a sense of equilibrium.
Formal balance: visual equilibrium achieve through the placement of identical objects on both sides of a central point. (aka symmetrical)
Commonly used in architectural designs, landscaping, and room designs.
Gives a quite, orderly feeling to a room.

19. Informal balance: a visual equilibrium achieved through the placement of different, but equivalent, objects on both sides of a central point. (aka asymmetrical)
Usually requires more thought and creativity to achieve than formal balance.

20. Emphasis Emphasis: The center of attention or interest.
Usually a fireplace, window, work or art, or dominant piece of furniture.
Two guidelines:
The point of emphasis should dominate, but not overpower the rest of the room or the design.
No other features should compete with the focal point.

21. Rhythm
Rhythm: A principle of design that leads the eye from one part of a design to another.
Can be created through repetition, gradation, transition, and radiation.

22. Repetition can be achieved by repeating color, line, form, or texture.
Gradation is rhythm created by making a gradual change in form of color value.
A sky painted in a child’s room, with light blue at
eye level and deep blue above.

23. Transition is when curved lines carry the eye over an architectural feature or rounded part of furniture to create rhythm.
Radiation is rhythm created by lines flowing outward from a central point.
Found in a flower arrangement, a light fixture, or
the leg supports of a table.

24. Goals of Design
Appropriateness
Harmony, variety, and unity
Function

25. Appropriateness
Good design should be appropriate for its intended function and for the lifestyle of the household.
The furniture and accessories in a living room should be conducive to relaxing, conversing, and entertaining.
Good design is appropriate when it addresses the personality, needs, and values of family members.

26. Harmony, Variety, and Unity
Harmony is an agreement among the parts. It results when unity and variety are combined.
A single design idea is executed, and similar shapes and forms are repeated.
Unity is the appearance of all parts seeming to belong together. It is achieved by repeating certain elements of design.
A dominant type of line, shape, form, texture, or color should be apparent in designs that have unity.

27. Variety is the use of contrasting features to prevent monotony.
Contrasting lines, forms, textures, ad colors add variety to a unified design.
Variety and unity work very well together when one or more design elements are held constant while others change.
When light browns and beiges are used throughout a room for unity, splashes of blue will add variety.

28. Function
Function refers to the intended use or purpose of a structure, room, or object.
“Form follows function” is a guideline for good design.
A chair should be attractive, but more importantly, its form should allow a person to sit comfortably.

29. Accessories in Design Accessories complete the total room design.
Accessories should reflect the personalities of the household members and give individuality to a design.
Functional accessories include things that serve a purpose for the household members.
Lamps provides light, etc.