Fashion and Textiles

Elements of Design

GOOD DESIGN EQUATION….

ELEMENTS

• Line

• Shape

• Space

• Texture

• Color

PRINCIPLES

• Balance

• Proportion

• Emphasis

Good Design!+ =

Line

• A series of points connected to form a narrow path

• Lines have direction, width and length

• The element of line can shorten or lengthen form

• Line encloses and divides space, creating shapes and forms.

• Seam lines divide and enclose space on a garment.

• Structural – lines required to maintain the structure of the garment; for example, seams

• Decorative – lines created by the designer purely for decoration; for example, a printed-on design

• EYES FOLLOW LINES

• LINES SUGGEST MOVEMENT OR RHYTHM WHEN THEY LEAD THE EYES.

• LINES LEAD EYES UP AND DOWN SIDE TO SIDE OR A ROUND.

• LINES BOTH OUTLINE FORM AND CREATE OUTER AND INNER SPACE OF GARMENTS.

• THEY BREAK LARGER AREAS INTO SMALLER ONES AND CONNECT PARTS

GARMENT LINE CATEGORIES

BY TYPE BY DIRECTION BY APPLICATION

LINE TYPES: THERE ARE THREE BASIC TYPES

STRAIGHT LINES:

Bold and severe

The suggest dignity power and formality

They give steadiness or stability.

If overused, they can give a stiff look

All clothes have straight lines in them

CURVED LINES:

Circles are closed lines-stopping the eye entirely

Give soft, gentle graceful flowing appearance

They increase the size and shape of the figure

Less conservative, formal and powerful than straight lines.

JAGGED LINES

Change direction abruptly and with sharp point like zig zag

V- neckline and outer notch of suit collar labels are mild forms of jagged lines

Overused jagged lines can create a jumpy confused feeling

Appropriate for fun loving people

Effects of line

• CAN CREATE OPTICAL ILLUSIONS.

• CAN GIVE MESSAGESA

B

C

D

Straight Lines

• Message

• Forceful, Rigid, Strong, Hard, Formal, Masculine, Crisp, Stiff, Severe

Straight Lines

• Illusion

• Increases, emphasizes, reinforces body lines and angles, counters curved lines and rounded body areas

Straight Lines

• Placements

• Closures, Necklines, Collars, Lapels, Seamlines, Darts, Tucks, Pleats, Folds, Stripes, Shapes, Silhouettes

Line Direction

• THE DIRECTION THAT THE LINE FALLS AFFECTS THE DESIGN, MESSAGE AND ILLUSION DRASTICALLY.

Vertical Line

• Leads the eyes up and down

• Message

• Formal, strong, dignified, stiff, business-like, stately, conservative, grandiose, majestic, efficient

• Illusion

• Increases, emphasizes, reinforces length, height, narrowness, thinness– slimming, counters horizontal lines

• Placement

• Deep v-necklines, pointed collars, narrow lapels, narrow panels or gores, fabric insets, lengthwise grainline, vertical stripes, darts, tucks, pleats, folds, crease, zippers, row of buttons, pockets, ties, neckties, long sleeves, high heels

Vertical

Leads the eyes from side to side

Horizontal lines

Horizontal

• Message

• Restful, stable, calm, relaxed, casual, quiet, serene, in repose, lethargic

• Illusion

• Increases, emphasizes, reinforces width, bulk, shortness, counters vertical lines, when placed high appears taller, when placed low appears shorter

• Placement

• Necklines, flat collars, bow ties, yoke lines, horizontal stripes, belts, cuffs, waistline, sashes, patch/flap pockets, wide-set double-breasted closure, strap shoes, platform shoes, wide-brimmed hat

SAME OUTFIT DIFFERENT LINES.

WHICH LINES MAKE THE MODEL

LOOK THINNER?

Diagonal Lines

• Add Movement or excitement to clothing

• Extent of the effect depends on whether it is mostly vertical or horizontal

• Message

• Active, movement, instability, excitement, interesting, dramatic, restless, sophisticated, in motion, vitality

Diagonal

Diagonal

• Illusion

• Increases, emphasizes, reinforces the direction of the dominant angle, counters vertical and horizontal lines

Diagonal

• Placement

• V-shaped neckline, open collar, lapels, raglan sleeve seamlines, French darts, closures, surplice closure, row of buttons, fabric inset, diagonal stripes, gores, herringbone pattern, zigzag pattern, A-line skirt, flared skirt or pants, shoe laces crisscross straps

Zigzag Lines

• Lines that lead the eyes in different directions

• Give the feeling of excitement, drama and sometimes chaos.

Curved Lines

• Circular or waved lines

• Give the feeling of movement

• Includes neckline, lapels ruffles and scalloped edges.

Curved Lines

• Message

• Gentle, Romantic, Fragile, Soft, Casual, Feminine, Graceful, Sensual

Curved Lines

• Illusion

• Holds attention longer, increases, emphasizes, reinforces rounded soft-body curves, counter straight lines and angular body areas

Curved Lines

• Placements

• Fabric pattern, necklines, collars, yokelines, seamlines, bows, lapels, sleeves, ruffles, skirts, gathers, trims, buttons

WHAT LINES APPEAR IN THIS

OUTFIT?

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN- LINE ASSIGNMENT

Lines and Fashion

• Use PowerPoint

• Find four outfits that have at least 2 different types of lines in it.

• Tell what effect the lines have on each outfit

Lines as an illusion • Use PowerPoint

• Find an outfit that uses lines to create a sliming effect

• Find an outfit that uses lines as a camouflage mechanism.

Create and outfit with any “lines” of your choice

• Either draw an 8 headed fashion and model or use one of the croquis provided and design an outfit that uses at least two different kinds of lines in it.

• Explain why you choose to use the line(s) you choose in your outfit.

• Send me a picture of your fashion sketch