Elements of DesignElements of Design

Elements of DesignElements of Design

SpaceSpace LineLine Shape Shape FormForm TextureTexture ColorColor

SpaceSpace Space is the area provided for a particular Space is the area provided for a particular

purpose. purpose. Residential space can be defined by walls, Residential space can be defined by walls,

dividers, or other objects. dividers, or other objects. Any space- no matter the size or shape- Any space- no matter the size or shape-

can be divided into can be divided into distinct parts.distinct parts.

EX: The furnishings EX: The furnishings not walls, define not walls, define space in this space in this open kitchen.open kitchen.

SpaceSpace Divisions of space can provide a sense of Divisions of space can provide a sense of

security and privacy. security and privacy. EX: Fences and hedges are used to EX: Fences and hedges are used to

accomplish this purpose outdoors and accomplish this purpose outdoors and screen out unwanted views and noises. screen out unwanted views and noises.

SpaceSpace Too little space = a feeling of being Too little space = a feeling of being

exposed, loss of privacy. exposed, loss of privacy. Too much space = lonely feeling. Too much space = lonely feeling. It is important to be aware of the feeling of It is important to be aware of the feeling of

space and use it to enhance design.space and use it to enhance design. Space is affected by the Space is affected by the NumberNumber and and SizeSize

of the objects in it. of the objects in it. Space is more pleasing when it changes Space is more pleasing when it changes

gradually- instead of abruptly. gradually- instead of abruptly.

Line Line Gives direction to a design.Gives direction to a design. Can emphasize a pleasing element or Can emphasize a pleasing element or

disguise and undesirable one. disguise and undesirable one. Different types of lines have different effects:Different types of lines have different effects:

Vertical LinesVertical Lines Horizontal LinesHorizontal Lines Diagonal LinesDiagonal Lines Curved LinesCurved Lines

Line- Vertical Lines Line- Vertical Lines Lead the eye up- adding height, formality, Lead the eye up- adding height, formality,

and strength. and strength. Often seen in: tall furniture, Often seen in: tall furniture,

columns, pillars, columns, pillars, wallpaper, and curtains. wallpaper, and curtains.

Make the ceiling appear Make the ceiling appear higher and rooms tend to higher and rooms tend to seem more spacious than seem more spacious than they actually are. they actually are.

Line- Horizontal Lines Line- Horizontal Lines Lead the eye to the left or right- suggesting Lead the eye to the left or right- suggesting

informality and restfulness.informality and restfulness. Often seen in: long, low roofs and in long Often seen in: long, low roofs and in long

low furniture such as sofas and chests. low furniture such as sofas and chests. Tend to make Tend to make

buildings, rooms, buildings, rooms, and furniture seem and furniture seem wider and lower. wider and lower.

Line- Diagonal Lines Line- Diagonal Lines Suggests action, movement, and Suggests action, movement, and

excitement.excitement. Can become overpowering and tiring- Can become overpowering and tiring-

should be used sparingly. should be used sparingly.

Evident in: gable Evident in: gable roofs, roofs, cathedral cathedral ceilings, and ceilings, and staircases. staircases.

Line- Curved Lines Line- Curved Lines Add a softening, graceful effect to designs.Add a softening, graceful effect to designs. Too many curved lines can create a busy Too many curved lines can create a busy

look. look. Seen in doorway Seen in doorway

arches, ruffled arches, ruffled curtains, curtains, and curved and curved furniture. furniture.

LineLine In design, one type of line should In design, one type of line should

dominate.dominate. Others may be added for interest. Others may be added for interest. EX: Horizontal lines may dominate EX: Horizontal lines may dominate

a room, while accessories with a room, while accessories with diagonal or curved lines may be an diagonal or curved lines may be an accent. accent.

Shape Shape 2-Dimensional element of design. Length & 2-Dimensional element of design. Length &

Width. Width. It is a flat or silhouette image, rather than It is a flat or silhouette image, rather than

one containing volume or mass. one containing volume or mass. Created by intersecting lines to create Created by intersecting lines to create

squares, rectangles, and triangles. Or one squares, rectangles, and triangles. Or one continuous line connecting to make a circle. continuous line connecting to make a circle.

Shape Shape They may also look irregular. They may also look irregular. Irregular shapes attract greater interest.Irregular shapes attract greater interest. The surface treatment of a shape can affect The surface treatment of a shape can affect

its overall appearance.its overall appearance. Shiny- reflects images, creates a Shiny- reflects images, creates a

transparent visual effect.transparent visual effect. Bright, Smooth- adds interest.Bright, Smooth- adds interest. Highly textured- absorb light and sound.Highly textured- absorb light and sound.

Shape Shape Surfaces can also be:Surfaces can also be:

Hard or SoftHard or Soft Plain or PatternedPlain or Patterned Be of Light, Medium, or Dark ValueBe of Light, Medium, or Dark Value

FormForm 3-dimensional 3-dimensional

Length x Width x Depth x Volume x MassLength x Width x Depth x Volume x Mass Cubes, pyramids, cones, and spheres are Cubes, pyramids, cones, and spheres are

common forms. common forms. Other examples of form can be found in Other examples of form can be found in

furniture and architecture. furniture and architecture. Forms, such as furniture should be chosen Forms, such as furniture should be chosen

after considering how they relate to the after considering how they relate to the interior space. interior space.

Form can also convey a fragile or stable Form can also convey a fragile or stable appearance. appearance.

Thin Forms = delicate & fragile. Thin Forms = delicate & fragile. Heavy Forms = stability & sturdyHeavy Forms = stability & sturdy Related forms tend to look Related forms tend to look

better together rather than better together rather than unrelated forms. unrelated forms.

A room is more pleasing if A room is more pleasing if the form of the dominant the form of the dominant piece is repeated in minor piece is repeated in minor pieces and accessories pieces and accessories within the room. within the room.

FormForm

TextureTexture Texture = how a surface feels to the touch or Texture = how a surface feels to the touch or

how the surface looks like it would feel to the how the surface looks like it would feel to the touch. touch.

Appeals to sight as well as touch.Appeals to sight as well as touch. Ribbed, Crinkled, Rough, and Smooth are Ribbed, Crinkled, Rough, and Smooth are

common textures.common textures. Patterns and Colors are Patterns and Colors are

used to create the used to create the illusion of texture. illusion of texture.

TextureTexture Texture can affect color by intensifying or Texture can affect color by intensifying or

subduing it.subduing it. Smooth Textures = reflect light, look lighter Smooth Textures = reflect light, look lighter

and brighter.and brighter. Rough Textures = absorb light, look darker Rough Textures = absorb light, look darker

and less intense. and less intense. EX: Red carpet looks darker and duller than EX: Red carpet looks darker and duller than

red ceramic tile. red ceramic tile.

vs. vs.

TextureTexture

A balance of textures is needed in a well A balance of textures is needed in a well designed room. designed room.

A room decorated in the same texture all the A room decorated in the same texture all the way throughout is Monotonous.way throughout is Monotonous.

Too many textures Too many textures can look disjointed can look disjointed and distracting. and distracting.

The idea is to have The idea is to have a dominant texture a dominant texture with contrasting with contrasting accents. accents.

ColorColor

Color is considered the most important Color is considered the most important element of design.element of design.

AssignmentAssignment

Handout assignment sheet and rubric for Handout assignment sheet and rubric for Elements of Design Samples.Elements of Design Samples.

Example on next slide!Example on next slide!

Vertical LinesVertical Lines

The columns on the front of this home are a The columns on the front of this home are a perfect example of how vertical lines are used perfect example of how vertical lines are used as an element of design. The columns make as an element of design. The columns make the house appear tall, narrow, and very formal. the house appear tall, narrow, and very formal.