Clothing DesignElements of Design

Elements of Design Color Line Texture Form

Color Color has a large influence on the clothing

that you wear Your best features can be highlighted when

you use your best colors

Color- Hue Hue is the name given to a color Ex. Red, yellow, blue It is a word that is interchangeable for color Many colors have various hues

Ex. Indigo blue, royal blue, baby blue

Color- Value Value is the amount of lightness or

darkness in a color Light blue or dark blue

Color- Intensity Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a

color A bright color has a high intensity Ex. Kelly green

The Color Wheel The color wheel shows how colors are

related to each other The color wheel is used to see the

relationship between colors

Colors on the Color Wheel Primary colors are red, blue and yellow Secondary colors are a result of mixing two

primary colors Intermediate colors are made by mixing a

primary and a secondary color Ex. Mix purple and blue to get indigo blue

Complete the color wheel

Color Schemes You can create color schemes as you make

clothing for an outfit Three common schemes include

Monochromatic Analogous Complementary

Monochromatic Monochromatic schemes are caused by

using variations of one hue on the color wheel

Analogous Analogous color schemes are caused by

using related hues Related hues are next to each other on the color

wheel

Complementary Complementary color schemes are caused

by combining two colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel Complementary colors are contrasting colors They make each other look brighter and more

intense

Complementary colors

Complementary Colors

Warm and Cool Colors Colors related to red, orange, and yellow

are warm colors Colors related to blue, violet, and green are

cool colors

Warm Colors Warm colors are brilliant and suggest

activity They are also called advancing colors

because they appear to come forward

Cool colors Cool colors seem restful, calm and relaxing They are also referred to as receding colors

because they appear to disappear into the background

Neutrals Neutrals include black, gray and white Neutrals have no color They can be used alongside or in

combination with other colors When a neutral is used with a brighter

color, it makes the color appear more brilliant

Neutrals White reflects white and makes objects

appear bigger Black absorbs light and makes objects

appear smaller

Colors for your skin tone There are five basic skin tones

Black Red-brown Yellow-brown Yellow White Some skin tones may also be off white, tan or

creamy beige

How to find your colors Sit in front of a large mirror outside in

daylight Drape different colors of fabrics around

your shoulders Study the effect the color has on your

complexion

Flattering Colors

Which is more flattering?

Colors for your hair With the right colors, your hair should take

on a glow The four main hair colors are blond,

brunette, red, and black Colors much lighter or darker than the hair

will emphasize the hair

Dos

Don’ts

Colors for your eyes Eye color may be blue, black, blue-violet,

gray, green, hazel or brown In hazel, gray, and green eyes clothing

colors may change the appearance of your eyes

Brown eyes are seldom influenced by color, but blue eyes may appear brighter

Example

Colors for your Body Shape White or light colors make areas appear

larger Dark or black colors make areas appear

smaller Certain body shapes should dress with

these principles in mind

Example For someone with a pear shape, you could

put a lighter color up top (the smaller area of the body) and a darker color on bottom (the larger area of the body)

For someone with an apple shape, you would put a darker color around the midriff (the larger area of the body)

Example

Example

Tips Short persons look taller in monochromatic

color outfits Very contrasting colors (ex. Red and blue)

will make a short person appear shorter If shorter, not wearing a belt can help you

appear taller The eye will move in one continuous movement

Tips To appear more slender, wear dulled colors

(grayed, dark) and wear bright accessories Dull or less intense colors should be worn

on areas that you want to de-emphasize or hide (ex. Tummy)

Color and your personality Warm colors make you appear outgoing

and active Warm or bright colors will stand out and have the

ability to build your confidence if you feel good in them

People who wear dull, plain clothes may feel it suites their quiet, reserved personality

Bright Colors

Dull Colors

Line Line gives direction to design In clothing, lines can be structural or

decorative Structural lines are created by the seams in

a garment Decorative lines are part of the fabric

design or trims added to the fabric

Structural Line

Decorative Line

Line Lines can be vertical or horizontal They can also be diagonal (slanting) or

curved Lines can be used in combination with each

other or separately

Selecting your best lines You can choose garments to make you

look taller, shorter, smaller, or larger Lines can create illusions

Vertical Lines Vertical lines carry the eye up and down They have a slimming effect and can make

you look taller and slimmer This includes any print- dots, prints, and

actual lines

Vertical Lines

Horizontal Lines Carry the eye from side to side These can make you look shorter and

heavier A wide belt will create a horizontal line in an

outfit The belt will stop the eye and make the

body’s line look shorter (torso and legs)

Horizontal Line

Diagonal Lines Add interest to a design If they are more slanted up and down, they

can make you look taller Horizontally slanted lines will make you

appear shorter and wider

Curved Lines Lines that are gently bent They give a soft, relaxed look to garments Rolled collars on sweaters and round collars

on blouses are popular uses of curved lines Wide curved lines are dramatic, but may

overpower a smaller person Small lines close together will make the

person appear slimmer

Texture How a fabric feels when you touch it and

how it looks on the surface You can use texture to highlight your good

features and hide your poorer ones Ex. Furry, bulky or shaggy fabrics add

weight to the area they are covering

Texture Dull textures absorb light and make areas

look smaller Shiny textures reflect light and make areas

appear bigger Texture can affect the intensity of a color

A red satin top would be more brilliant than a knit red top

Texture- Shine vs. Dull

Form Refers to the shape of the object This form is called your silhouette Clothing producing a full form make a

person look larger and heavier Heavy skirts, wide leg pants

Clothing producing a tubular form make a person look thinner and taller

Form The bell shape form is universally flattering

to all body types