1. USING THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

2. Elements:
1. Communication can be verbal or non- verbal. Visual imagery (aka: design) is an example of non-verbal
2. Understanding and creating good design requires knowing design characteristics and the elements of design.
3. Design – the entire process used to develop a specific project.

3. THREE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS
Function: How the design works. Includes usefulness, convenience and organization
Construction: Materials and structure.
Aesthetics: beauty, pleasing appearance or effect

4. FUNCTION Makes a product and/or room easier to use
Considers the needs of the people who are using them
Accommodates the ages, sizes and physical abilities of the users.
Provides easy access
and eliminates barriers

5. CONSTRUCTION
Materials include: fabrics, woods, metals, plastics or stones
Choosing appropriate materials to support the room’s function
Must consider design quality, cost, maintenance, environmental implications, long term cost, etc.
Must meet industry standard and/or government codes.
How are they structured – is the product safe, durable

6. AESTHETICS
Beauty is hard to define however good aesthetic design should be pleasing to many people.
It may stimulate an emotion or communicate a message Ex: excitement or relaxation

7. Part 2
The Elements of Design

8. The Elements
Designers use tools to design. These tools are called the elements of design
Line
Form
Space
Mass
Texture
Color – there is a lot to learn about color so we will cover more later 

9. Line Two types of lines are straight and curved Straight can be…
Horizontal
Direct your eyes across. They create a feeling of peace, relaxation, calmness and restfulness Examples in design: A mantel, a long sofa, a book shelf.
Vertical
Direct your eyes up and down. It suggest height, strength and dignity and stability. Examples in design: curtains wallpaper, tall mirrors.
Diagonal (half way between vertical and horizontal)
They represent activity. It also suggest movement, interest and excitement. Examples in design cathedral ceilings, staircases, lampshades.
Curved
Different degrees of curves communicate different ideas. They seem to be softer. It reflects organization, eternity and uniformity.

11. Form
Form is the physical shape of objects . It outlines a three dimensional object and contains volume and mass. It has height, width and depth
Types of form…
Realistic – looks like the real thing. It communicates a lifelike, traditional, and familiar feeling.
Abstract – rearranges or stylizes a recognizable object. It communicates a contemporary, changing, creative, and artistic feeling.
Geometric – uses squares, rectangles, circles and other geometric figures. It communicates organization, order, planning and a tailored look
Free – is random and flowing. You can find it in nature, plants, stones and wood. It communicates a sense of freedom

12. Space
Space refers to the area around a form (ex: area around a table) and the area inside a form (ex: inside a room)
Make sure you consider the size of the space and its arrangement
Size – Height, length and width. Who will use the space and how will they use it. It can communicate positive or negative feelings.
A large space will communicate openness and freedom. However an extremely large space (sports arena) might cause you to feel small and/or lost.
Small spaces can make you feel warm and cozy however adding more people or furniture to the same space might make you feel small and/or crowded.

13. Mass Mass is the amount of pattern or object in a space
Mass also refers to how crowded or empty a space appears
High Mass – visually crowded
Low Mass – visually simple and sparse

14. Texture Texture refers to the way something feels or appears to feel
Two types..
Tactile – the way it feels to the touch
Visual – you see but cannot feel