Elements and Principals of Design

Fashion Design

Design

• Elements– Lines– Shape– Space– Texture– Pattern

• Principles– Balance– Proportion– Emphasis– Rhythm– Harmony

Shape and Size

• Frame– Skeletal size

• Size ratio– Compare areas of the

body . – Waist divides body

• Geometric shape– Triangle– Inverted triangle– Rectangle– Hour glass– Apple

Lines

• Line Types– Straight– Curved– ZigZag

• Line Directions– Vertical (up and down)– Horizontal (side ways)– Diagonal

How Designers Use Lines

• Straight– Crisp, formal look– Business

• Curved – Movement– Softness

• Zig Zag– Constantly changing direction– excitement

Lines and Illusion

• Vertical– More height– Less width

• Horizontal– More width– Less height

• Wide lines– Vertical

• Added width

– Horizontal• Added height

Shape

• Shape is the outline• Also called silhouette

• Natural– Fit body close– Good average body

• Tubular– Rectangular– Adds height and

thinness

• Bell– Cut height

• Full– Look larger

Texture

• Surface characteristics

• Soft and Clingy– Hug body– Show off irregularities

• Moderately crisp fabrics– Conceal body shapes

• Extra-crisp fabrics– Make body look larger

• Nubby and Bulky Fabrics– Add dimension– Make a person look

larger

• Dull fabrics– Look smaller

• Shiny fabrics

Space

• Just as important at silhouette.

• Lines usually divide the spaces of a garment or outfit

• Too many spaces can make an outfit tiring, too little can be boring.

• The more spaces there are, it attracts more attention to that area.

Pattern

• Stripes• Plaids• Geometrics• Floral• Scenic• Borders

• Small pattern:– decreases apparent size

• Large pattern: – Increases apparent size

Balance

Symmetrical• Same on both sides • Formal or tailored look

Asymmetrical• Different on each side• More casual• Cost more to make

Proportion

• How separate parts of a garment relate to each other and to the whole in size.

Emphasis

• Draw attention to a certain area.

Rhythm

• Visual that carries the eye through a regular pattern produced by the design elements

• Repetition: repeating pattern– Ex: stripes, polka dots

• Radiation: lines or patterns flow from a central location– Ex: tie dye, flowers

• Gradation: gradual change in color or size

Harmony

• Everything works together to create a wonderful outfit.

Ticket out the Door

• Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper in which you turn in.

1.Make a list of five problems in body shape and size that people might want to address with clothing illusions. Describe in writing what you, as a fashion consultant, would suggest for each person. Include drawing when appropriate.