Chapter 12 Principles of Design Principles of Design

Chapter 12 Principles of Design

Principles of Design • Design is the plan used to put an idea together. • Principles of design are guidelines for the use of the elements of design – Balance – Proportion – Emphasis – Rhythm

Body Terminology • Figure = girl’s or woman’s body • Physique = boy’s or man’s body • Body Build = relationship among the different areas of the total human body – To determine your body build, you should do a self-evaluation or analysis of your body. • Assets = best qualities/parts of a person’s body – In apparel, we should strive to emphasize or accentuate our assets. • Liabilities = physical drawbacks of a person’s body

Use of Design Elements to Create Pleasing Visual Unity • When the elements of design are used according to the principles of design, harmony is created. – Harmony refers to pleasing visual unity • Gives the feeling that all parts of an outfit belong together and suit the wearer and the occasion. The Elements of Design The Principles of Design color shape line texture balance proportion emphasis rhythm are used or arranged according to Harmony to create balance pleasing visual unity

Balance • Implies equilibrium or steadiness among the parts of a design • Brings overall stability to a design • Visual distribution of “weight” in the way details are grouped • Produces a feeling of rest, or a lack of movement

Balancing Apparel with Color • Warm and dark colors appear heavier than cool and light colors. • A small amount of bright color balances a large amount of dull color. • A small area of a warm color balances a larger amount of a cool color. • Large amounts of tints or neutrals balance smaller areas of shades or bright colors.

Types of Balance • Formal – Symmetrical – Most common type – Design details are divided equally to create a centered balance (both sides are the same) – Examples • Same number of tucks or pleats on each side • Pockets on both sides of a dress or pants • Informal – Asymmetrical – Design details are divided unequally from the center – Can be accomplished through colors, shapes, lines, and textures – Should not look heavier on one side than the other

Proportion • Sometimes called Scale • Special relationship of all parts in a design to each other and to the whole • Garment designs should be related to the structure and proportion of the human body • Body is divided unequally – 3/8 = From Waist to Head – 5/8 = From Waist to Feet

Proportion in Apparel • It is most pleasing to divide a garment or outfit at a natural body division, such as the chest, waist, or hips. • Accessories should be in proportion to the garment and body build of the wearer. • Yokes, collars, pockets, and other apparel parts must be the right size for the total design and for the wearer. • Design of the fabric should be in proportion to the garment and the wearer. – Prints/textures must be scaled to their use.

Emphasis • Concentration of interest in a particular part or area of design • Causes one part of the design to be more “important” than all others • Focal point of the outfit can be created with – Contrast of color or texture – Structural lines and decorative trimmings – An unusual shape of an area of a contrasting design outline • A center of interest in apparel is commonly used to draw attention to the face

Rhythm • Concerned with the pleasing arrangement of the design elements, so eye movement flows steadily and smoothly through the design • Rhythm is broken when lines, trimmings, or fabric designs are not matched at the seams or at the other construction points

Ways to Create Rhythm • Repetition – Created in a design by repeated lines, shapes, colors, or textures – Example: Garment edges have the same shape • Gradation – Sometimes called Progression – A gradual increase or decrease of similar design elements – Example: Colors going from light to dark • Transition – Fluid rhythm created when curved or flowing lines lead the eye over an angle – Example: cap sleeves

Ways to Create Rhythm • Opposition – Rhythm created when lines meet to form right angles – Examples: checks, plaids, square necklines • Radial Arrangement – Rhythm created by lines emerging from a central point – Examples: gathers, tucks, seams, darts, flowing lines, colors fanning out from a central area

7 Most Common Body Types • • Tall and Thin Short and Thin Tall and Heavy Short and Heavy Top Heavy Hip Heavy Thick Middle

The “ideal” model shape for wearing clothes is Tall and Thin. • Tall and Thin – Avoid • Tight, straight dresses, skirts, or pants • Tiny fabric patterns • Frilly fashions • Bold vertical stripes or seams – Wear • Gathered or pleated skirts • Flared or wide-legged pants • Horizontal stripes and seams • Short and Thin – Avoid • • Bulky textures Large prints and plaids Large pockets Collars and cuffs – Wear • Bell, blouson, and flared silhouettes • Shirtwaist dresses • Business suits

The closer your width is to the ground, the shorter you look! • Tall and Heavy – Avoid • Loud prints • Checks and plaids • Horizontal stripes/lines – Wear • Garments with simple lines and little decoration • Subtle and muted prints and patterns in scale with the body • Pants should have straight or slightly flared legs • Garment shaping should be done with seams and darts • Short and Heavy – Avoid • Two-piece or twocolored garments that cut the body in half visually • Tight garments • Horizontal lines/stripes – Wear • Vertical lines/stripes • Empire or A-line dresses • Narrow and straight silhouettes

• Top Heavy – Avoid • Clingy or shiny fabrics on the top – Wear • Dark colored tops with light colored bottoms • Hip Heavy – Avoid • Tight fitting pants or skirts • Shirts that end at the hips – Wear • Skirts or pants should fit neither tightly nor with excessive fullness at hips • Pants should not taper • Light, bright, or printed tops with dark, dull-colored skirts or pants • Thick Middle – Avoid • Clingy styles and clothes with tightly fitted waistlines or belts • Baggy or bulky fit around the middle • Styles with trim or contrasting buttons at the center front – Wear • Smooth, lightweight fabrics • Use vertical lines giving an upward direction toward the face • Tubular silhouettes • Use garments that hang loosely from the shoulders