Elements and principle of design

Fundamentals Of design

Design elements and principles are the basic visual toolbox of design tactics. The elements form the basic vocabulary of visual design, The elements of design are the basic components used as part of any composition. They are the objects to be arranged, The constituent parts used to create the composition itself. These elements are

Point Line Form (shape), Texture Color

Point

point is an element that has position, but no extension. It is a single mark in space with a precise, but limited, location. Alone it can provide a powerful relation between negative and positive space, but when grouped with other points the Gestalt grouping principal of closure tends to kick in and the brain compulsively connects the points together. Line or form is a natural result of multiple points in space.

Lines

A line can be thought of as points so close together that they lose their individual identity and form a new entity. Lines act as border between ideas, concepts or steps in a sequence. Since lines can be straight, curved, or irregularly shaped, It can be thought, line as the track of a point in motion depicting various forms.

Vertical lines can stop eye movement implying mass and give volume to a structure. They also equate to power and strength. Horizontal lines symbolize rest and relaxation. Diagonal lines are dynamic and action-oriented, they portray dimensions and directions.

Curved lines

Shapes

A shape is defined as an area that stands out from the space next to or around it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of differences of value, colour, or texture. It is formed when a line encloses an area. These lined enclosures create an illusionary focus termed as shapes. Shapes can vary endlessly and can suggest physical form and direct eye movement based on the directional movement of lines. Shapes define figure, create ground relationships and relate forms and figures.

Texture

It is defined as the surface characteristics of a material that can be experienced through the sense of touch or the illusion of touch. In visual images, actual textures can be used, such as cloth, boxes, small objects, and natural items. Achieved when the fundamental elements of design have been used to express a single concept.

Colour

Colour is the most important part of designing. The primary colours are red, yellow and blue. Mixing any two primary colours results in a secondary colour. The colour wheel is created when the primary and secondary colours are placed in a circle.

An extension of the color wheel:

Colors nearest the center or the poles are most achromatic. Colors of the same lightness and saturation are of the same nuance. Colors of the same hue and saturation, but of different lightness, are said to be tints and shades. Colors of the same hue and lightness, but of varying saturation, are called tones.

Designing Principles

Design elements and principles are the basic visual toolbox of design tactics The principles constitute the broader structural aspects of the composition. The principles of design consist of PROPORTION, BALANCE, RHYTHM Repetition, gradation, radiation, contrast, DOMINANCE (EMPHASIS), HARMONY, unity,

Proportion

Pleasing relationship of areas sometimes referred to as scale. The relative length of two parts of a garment is termed as proportion. The degree and method of subordinating some part of a design to other is shown as proportion

Balance

Balance is the equal distribution of weights. (Actual or virtual) Symmetry between the left and right halves of the body in a garment is termed as the symmetrical balance. The purpose of balance is to bring a satisfying relationship between all the design parts.

Most successful compositions achieve balance in one of two ways:

Symmetrically Asymmetrically

Rhythm

Rhythm is the repeated use of lines or shapes to create a pattern. Rhythm is achieved through:

Radiation Repetition Dominance Isolation Gradation

Emphasis

Emphasis creates a centre of interest by focusing the viewer's attention on a specific area of the garment. It is basically the use of subordination in various parts in order to emphasize and highlight certain parts.

Unity

Unity means that all elements of a design work together to produce a successful visual effect. Also known as harmony, achieved when the fundamental elements of design have been used to express a single concept.