Elements of Design The Tools Elements of Design

Elements of Design “The Tools”

Elements of Design ¡ ¡ ¡ Elements are the building blocks or “Tools” of design. Color: Most exciting element of design Shape: Overall outline of a garment, it is the form or silhouette. Line: Distinct, elongated mark as if drawn by a pencil or pen. Texture: The surface quality of goods.

Color Wheel ¡ ¡ There are 12 hues in the spectrum of color. They are divided into three categories

Primary Colors ¡ ¡ Red, Yellow, and Blue These colors cannot be created by mixing any other colors together

Secondary Colors ¡ ¡ Green, violet, and orange Made by combining 2 of the Primary colors together

Tertiary or Intermediate Colors ¡ ¡ ¡ Yellow-green, blue-violet, red -orange, yellow-orange. Made by combining a primary and a secondary hue. Named by the Primary color first.

Monochromatic Color Scheme ¡ ¡ ¡ Based on one color from the color wheel. Uses light, medium and dark values Uses neutral colors to balance color distribution

Complementary Color Scheme ¡ Two colors that are exactly opposite on the color wheel – can be lightened, darkened, brightened or dulled.

Complementary

Triad Color Scheme ¡ Three colors that are equidistant on the color wheel – such as red, yellow and blue.

Triad

Analogous Color Scheme ¡ Three to six colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel.

Split Complementary Color Scheme ¡ Consists of a base hue and the two colors that are on either side of its direct complement – such as green, red-violet and red orange.

Neutral Color Scheme ¡ ¡ ¡ White, off-white, gray, black and off-black. Browns and beiges are also considered neutrals, even they are actually neutralized color tones. Does not use colors from color wheel

Color Forecasting Color Association of the United States ¡ Color Marketing Group ¡ International Colour Authority ¡ Pantone ¡

Shape/Silhouette ¡ ¡ ¡ Form of a garment Outline seen from a distance Reveal or hide body contour l Try to flatter good features and hide less attractive features

Silhouette ¡ Wide shapes make you look bigger ¡ Trim, compact silhouettes make you look smaller ¡ Straight, tubular shapes make you look taller ¡ Form fitting clothes should only be worn by figures that are near -perfect

Line ¡ ¡ Direction, width, length Eyes follow lines l Lines suggest movement, leading eyes up, down, side-toside l Outline outer and inner spaces of garments

¡ ¡ Structural – lines required to maintain the structure of the garment; for example, seams Decorative – lines created by the designer for decoration; for example, a printed-on design

Straight Lines ¡ Message l ¡ Strong, Formal, Masculine, Severe Illusion l Emphasizes body lines and angles

Straight Lines ¡ Placements l Closures, Necklines, Collars, Lapels, Seam lines, Darts, Tucks, Pleats, Stripes

Curved Lines l l l Rounded, circular Less formal Gentle, soft, youthful ¡ Circles are closed lines and stop the eye entirely

Curved Lines ¡ Message l ¡ Romantic, Casual, Feminine, Graceful Illusion l Emphasizes rounded curves, counters straight lines

Jagged Lines l Jagged: change direction abruptly ¡ Create a jumpy, confused feeling ¡ Use sparingly, they are very noticeable

LINE DIRECTION: Vertical Feeling of dignity and strength ¡ Leads eye up and down, makes wearer look taller and thinner ¡

Vertical lines ¡ Message l Formal, stiff, business-like, Illusion l Emphasizes height, slimming

LINE DIRECTION: Diagonal Degree of slant determines the visual effect l Draws attention to where they are used l

Diagonal Lines ¡ Message l l Active, dramatic, in motion, Illusion Counters vertical and horizontal lines

Dress Lines

LINE DIRECTION: Horizontal ¡ ¡ Leads eye across the body, makes wearer seem shorter and wider Use where you want to look wider

Horizontal Lines ¡ Message l Restful, calm, relaxed Illusion l Shortness, counters vertical lines

Texture l l Surface quality of garments (how it looks and feels) Bulky fabrics ¡ Add visual size (make you look bigger) ¡ Can disguise a flaw ¡ Can overpower a small person

Texture l Shiny textures make you look bigger, as they reflect light

Texture l Dull Textures make you look smaller, as they absorb light Smooth, flat textures make you look smaller