elements of design

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
What is clothing made up of?
Good fashion has a combination of the elements and principles of
design.
Elements of design are the
parts, They structure and carry
the work. The elements of
design are;
LINE
SHAPE
FORM OR OBJ ECT
COLOR
TEXTURE
SPACE
VALUE
Principles of design are concepts. They affect
content and message.
The principles of design are;
EMPHASISBALANCE
PROPORTION
RHYTHMHARMONY
LINE
Out of the 6 elements of design, line
is the strongest and most important
and dominant.
¥…. There can be no shape.
¥…. Without shape there can be no
form.
¥…. Without form there can be no
texture and there can be no pattern.
Without line;

TYPES OF LINE
Lines can be;
•
Vertical
•
Horizontal
•
Diagonal
•
Curved
•
short or tall
•
thick or thin
•
can lead you
away, or move you
forward in an
image
VERTICAL LINE
Vertical lines tend
to convey
different moods,
ranging from
power and
strength, to
growth.
HORIZONTAL LINE
Represents calm,
peace and

relaxation.
DIRECTIONAL / J AGGED LINES
J agged/ sharp
lines can be
perceived as
forceful,
chaotic, sharp,
and threatening
CURVED LINES
Represents
freedom, the
natural, having the
appearance of
softness and
creates a soothing
feeling
DIAGONAL LINES
Diagonal- Represents action,
activity, excitement and
movement
Thin lines
Thin lines can be
experienced by some
as unstable, and by
others as weak.
Vertical lines or stripping
make a person appear
thinner, and when you
are thin you look taller.
grey dress. Avoid wearing

baggy clothes.
Thick lines
Thick lines can be
experienced as rigid
and dependent, or can
be experienced as
dominating .
Vs
.
STRUCTURAL
Structural –
lines required to maintain the structure of the
garment;
for example, seams
Decorative
Decorative – lines created by the designer purely for
decoration; for example, a printed-on design
What lines appear in
this dress?
.
What is Line?
Refers to an elongated mark
that connects two or more
points. Line encloses and
divides space, creating shapes
and forms. Seam lines divide
and enclose space on a
garment.
Effects of line
Can create optical illusions

Show directions
Show movement
Show strength
A
B
C
D
/>cdress.html
Straight Lines
M essage
Forceful, Rigid, Strong, Hard,
Formal, M asculine, Crisp, Stiff,
Severe
Illusion
Increases, emphasizes, reinforces
body lines and angles, counters
curved lines and rounded body
areas
Placements
Closures, Necklines, Collars,
Lapels, Seamlines, Darts, Tucks,
Pleats, Folds, Stripes, Shapes,
Silhouettes
Straight
lines
Curved Lines
M essage
Gentle, Romantic, Fragile, Soft,
Casual, Feminine, Graceful, Sensual
Curved Lines

Illusion
Holds attention longer,
increases, emphasizes,
reinforces rounded soft-body
curves, counter straight lines
and angular body areas
Placements
Fabric pattern, necklines, collars,
yokelines, seamlines, bows,
lapels, sleeves, ruffles, skirts,
gathers, trims, buttons
CURVED LINES
Vertical
M essage
Formal, strong, dignified, stiff,
business-like, stately, conservative,
grandious, majestic, efficient
Vertical
Illusion
Increases, emphasizes, reinforces
length, height, narrowness,
thinness– slimming, counters
horizontal lines
Vertical
Placement
Deep v-necklines, pointed collars,
narrow lapels, narrow panels or
gores, fabric insets, lengthwise
grainline, vertical stripes, darts,
tucks, pleats, folds, crease, zippers,

row of buttons, pockets, ties,
neckties, long sleeves, high heels