PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN…

The designer works with the 4 tools or elements of design: line, form, color, and texture. But now they must follow the “RULES” about using those tools. The rules are called the principles of design.

There are 5 principles of design:

balance proportion/scale

rhythm HARMONY

EMPHASIS

Harmony refers to the pleasing relationships among the parts of a composition. Harmony is achieved through similarity among all of the elements of design… LINE, FORM, COLOR, AND TEXTURE.

The viewer will experience a feeling of satisfaction

and agreement if harmony has been achieved.

Unity is the bonding together of all elements by organization and balance.

Harmony and unity are closely related.

Horizontal line is used throughout the room, unifying it and creating harmony. Notice the furniture lines, the stripes in the bed linens, and the lines in the painting above the headboard.

Harmony is achieved because the room is unified by the color

scheme. The red, yellow, blue, and green are repeated in the crib

linens, the bumper pads, the diaper holder, the

window valance, and the wall decoration.

The heavy textures of the wicker furniture, the

ceiling boards, the metal light fixture, the plants, and the roll-up shades pulls the room together and creates

harmony.

Curved forms are prevalent, showing up in the upholstered furniture, the archway, the grand piano, the coffee table, the lamp shade, and the throw pillows. Those forms, throughout

the room, cause harmony in the room.

The opposite of harmony is discord. A sense of discord in a room might be created by mixing too many lines,

forms, colors, and textures.In this room, too many items are crammed into too small

of space. Pictures take up too much of the wall space

proportionately. There is too much clutter.

Furniture styles do not complement each other.

Knickknacks are too large.

A composition in which all parts demand equal

attention from the viewer, may be confusing or lacking in interest.

Emphasis is the quality of

composition which requires the viewer to focus on

a given point or points.

Don’t ignore a great view. Make sure you set up your furniture

so you can take advantage of it. It can

be your center of interest… where you

put the emphasis.

Large pictures look best in the center of your primary wall - a wall that catches the eye of someone entering the room.Your painting looks best when it hangs at eye level (this is called museum hanging), which means that the center of the canvas should be about 60" above the floor (can be even lower when next to a seating area).When you hang your painting over a couch or other large furniture piece, the general rule is to allow 6" to 8" above the furniture, even if this is higher than 60 inches.

The emphasis in your room might be on a piece of wall

art…

Pictures on the wall are a good center of interest; a good place to put visual focus.

A fireplace should always be the center of attention in a room.

A sad statement about our American society… making a television set the center of interest in a room. Here, the artwork is hung too high to be the visual focal point, so the TV receives all the emphasis.

It is always a good idea to emphasize the most pleasing items and to try to

disguise those not as pleasing. Exposed pipes under a bathroom sink,

loose cords needed for computers in the office area and appliances in the kitchen,

and a window with an unpleasant view are challenges for the designer. You do not want these areas to become a point of

emphasis.

Harmony & Emphasis project… Name______________

1. Using magazines or catalogs, find one picture of a full room that you feel easily illustrates the two principles… harmony and emphasis.

2. Mount that picture on a piece of 8 x 10 paper, in a vertical or horizontal position. You may mat the picture if desired.

3. Using a computer, add a typewritten title, your name, and descriptions.

4. Describe the “point of emphasis” in your room picture. Where is the focus? Justify your answer.

5. Describe how “harmony” is achieved in your picture. Which one(s) of the elements is used to achieve the harmony, and where is it repeated in the room design to pull the room together?

HARMONY & EMPHASIS IN INTERIOR DESIGN BY Your Name

Harmony: Harmony is achieved through line, color, and texture. The curved line is repeated in the archway, the wingback chairs, the top of

the firebox, and the small table. The neutral colors are repeated in the furniture and walls. The rough textures are evident in the stone

walls, the rough woods, and the stitching on the leather upholstery.

Emphasis: The emphasis in this room is on the fireplace.

The chairs are all arranged around the hearth as a

focal point.