Understanding Design

Understanding Design

By choosing appropriate designs in clothing, people can make the most of their appearance. For job interviews and other special occasions, they can look their best and feel more comfortable.

Shape and Size FramesTwo people of the

same height can be different because of size.SmallMediumLarge

Size RatiosWhile one person may

have a long upper body and short legs, another may have a short upper body and short legs, another may have a short upper body and long legs.

Geometric ShapeEveryone has a

different shape. Triangle: narrow

shoulders and wide hips…also known as a pear shape.

Inverted Triangle: wide shoulders and small hips…most men are this.

Rectangle: about the same width at shoulders, waist and hips…also known as the ruler shape.

Hour-glass: about the same at chest and hips and small at the waist.

Round: small in chest and hips and wide in waist…also know as the apple shape.

Creating IllusionsNo matter what your body shape, size and

height you can use the designs and colors in fabric to create illusions to your look. As you’ve learned, illusions make things appear different than they actually are. A person who wants to look thinner in the thighs can choose a clothing design and color that help to create that illusion.

Couple examples of Illusions

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Elements of Design

Color Line Shape Space Texture

The elements of design are usually based on what the fabric looks like and how it can accentuate your body. Its all about the visual aspect of the garment.

Color Primary colors

YellowBlueRed

Secondary ColorsOrangeGreenViolet

Intermediate Colors/ Tertiary ColorsBlue-GreenBlue-VioletRed-OrangeRed-VioletYellow-GreenYellow-Orange

Color Cont. Complimentary color- colors on opposite

sides of the color wheel Analogous colors- colors next to each

other on the color wheel Monochromatic colors- all the same color

but with different shades and tints Shading- add black to any hue (color) Tinting- add white to any hue Toning- add the complimentary color

Enhancing Personal ColorEveryone’s skin color has an undertone of either blue or yellow. This will help determine what colors look good on you. Colors have been broken up into the 4 seasons : Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. The largest number of people in the world are of the winter season.

Winter And SummerWinter Hair is usually dark Most have brown

eyes Their skin has a blue

undertone

Summer Rosy, delicate

coloring with blue undertone

Blush and Sunburn easily

Blue eyes are most common

Spring and AutumnSpring Flaxen or strawberry

blond to medium or reddish-brown hair

Most have blue eyes Have yellow

undertones

Autumn People with dark

skin tones Eyes are usually

brown Skin that has

freckles Hair with reddish

highlights

Color Examples

Understanding LinesLine Types

Straight

Curved

Zigzag

Line Directions

Vertical

Horizontal

Diagonal

Examples of Lines

Understanding ShapeAlso known as a

silhouette, these shapes can either make the body shape underneath more or less noticeable.

Natural- follows your body’s outline and fits close to emphasize the waistline.

Tubular- is rectangular with a vertical emphasis.

Bell- both diagonal and horizontal lines make up this shape.

Full- have more horizontal and curved lines than the other shapes.

Shape Examples

Understanding Space

Once you make a shape you create space. Within that shape you can break it up with internal lines. This can be accomplished by using seams, decorative stitching and trims, and lines in the actual fabric. Think of the space within the garment and what you can do to embellish it.

Examples of Space

Understanding Texture

This area describes the surface characteristics that determine the look and feel of an object. Fabric gets its texture from the fibers, yarn, construction, and finishes used. Just as color and line create illusions, textures create different impressions too.

Examples of Texture

Weaves That Create TextureA. Plain Weave

B. Basket Weave

C. Twill Weave

D. Satin Weave

A

B

C

D

Texture in PatternsPatterns come in a array of

styles: stripes, plaids, geometrics, florals, scenics, borders, etc. They can also be large or small, even or uneven, light or dark, spaced or clustered, muted or bold. All of these aspects affect the way you look.

Your assignmentOn the back table there

is a basket filled with magazines. You will look through it and find an outfit you like. Carefully cut it out of the magazine and glue it in the middle of the piece of cardstock you have received.

Next Identify 3 elements of design Label them on the left side of your paper The right side will be filled in next class If you need to draw arrows to identify the

element please do so Place your name and the period in a

corner of your paper

My Example…Do NOT COPY MINE!!!

Elements of Design

1. Color: In order to match the yellow/gold color they toned it down with the brown color

2. Texture: To add texture they used a floral print

3. Shape: The fit and flare of this dress make it a bell shape Ms. Reuel

All Periods

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

How many of you have ever stood in front of your closet and have tried on one outfit after another to find one that works. You have followed all the of the elements but you also need some guidelines and that is what the principles of design do.

Principles of Design

Balance Proportion Emphasis Rhythm Harmony

Principles are more of the way the fabric works on the body, not so much what it looks like. It also has to do with how you dress it up and how you wear the garment.

Understanding BalanceSymmetrical Balance When the spaces on

each side of a garment look just the same….mirrored images

Asymmetrical Balance Outfits that don’t

look the same on both sides. However to make them balance they might add a pocket, buttons or even an accessory like a scarf.

Understanding ProportionThis describes how separate parts of a

garment relate to each other and to the whole in size. In fashion design they usually use a 3 to 5 ratio. They came up with this because about 3/8ths of a person’s total height is above the waist and 5/8ths below. Depending on your body size these ratios may change.

Here is an example

About 3 heads high

This part is about 5 heads high for a grand total of 8 when they are put together

What do you think her body proportion would be?

Understanding EmphasisEmphasis is the focal point of

a design, the part that draws your attention. On a garment they may use it for effect to make an outfit more unique or interesting. You should use emphasis to draw the eye to the parts you want to have be the center of interest.

Understanding Rhythm Repetition- A pattern repeats,

as with rows of stripes. Radiation- Lines or patterns

flow from a central location, the gathers in a skirt show this effect.

Gradation- A pattern changes gradually, as in a change of size or color.

Understanding HarmonyIn the same way as music has harmony so does

fashion. This is when all the elements of design compliment each other. Think of a bride on her wedding day. Not only does her shoes, hair, dress, and jewelry match, but they compliment the flowers, table setting and the other décor.

Putting it all together

Any of these elements and principles can be played on to create individuality.

LineShapeSpaceTextureColor

BalanceProportionEmphasisRhythmHarmony

Good Design

Today’s Assignment Pull out your assignment from last class Identify 3 principles of design Fill in the 3 principles on the right side of

the picture When completed place the assignment

in the basket.

My Example…Do NOT COPY MINE!!!

Elements of Design Principles of Design

1. Color: In order to match the yellow/gold color they toned it down with the brown color

2. Texture: To add texture they used a floral print

3. Shape: The fit and flare of this dress make it a bell shape

A. Balance: This dress is symmetrical

B. Harmony: Because the cardigan, bracelet, shoes and clutch match it creates harmony

C. Emphasis: The emphasis in this dress is the midriff waistband

Ms. ReuelPeriod All

Yours will look very different from mine unless you find the exact same dress, which is not likely. Check out each element and principle to see if any of them fit the outfit you picked out. This diagram is your best tool!!!

LineShapeSpaceTextureColor

BalanceProportionEmphasisRhythmHarmony

Good Design