Design Elements And Principles 1d3b72

DESIGN ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES Harmony Kapp & Andrea Wenzl

LINE

Line determines the silhouette of the garment and the shapes formed within the garment. This shirt’s shape is square with straight smooth lines. It also has a focal point in the logo.

COLOR

Color is the visual perception of certain wavelengths of light. This skater skirt’s mustard color pops with any top paired with it. It’s warm color is visually pleasing, especially in the fall.

TEXTURE

Texture describes the surface or hand of a fabric. It can apply to a combination of the fabric’s characteristics: fiber, yarn, construction, weight, and finish. This black leather skirt has a shiny finish with a soft hand. The shiny surface reflects light, making the figure look larger.

PATTERN

Patterns can be created by the texture of the fabric; they can be applied to the fabric through printing, embossing, and other specialty techniques such as devore or laser cutting. This dress has an Aztec inspired pattern. The pattern provides horizontal movement in the garment.

SILHOUETTE

Silhouette is the outline or shape of a garment. This dress has an H silhouette since it is straight and form fitting. When worn, the dress gives an hourglass shape with a focal point in the peak-a-boo neckline. The pattern is symmetrical and has balance.

SHAPE

The use of shape is an important tool for achieving harmony within the garment. This collared dress has an hourglass shape given from the cinch tied waist. This adds styling interest to the silhouette of the garment and helps it give shape in the fit.

PROPORTION

Proportion is the relationship or scale of all the parts of a garment or ensemble to each other and to the body as a whole. This drop waist dress has unequal proportion. This makes one’s torso appear longer. The horizontal seam divides the dress into two sections.

BALANCE

Balance refers to whether a garment is symmetrical or asymmetrical when a silhouette is divided vertically down the middle. In a balanced garment, the right and left sides of the body appear to be even. This sweater dress has a V chevron pattern and is symmetrical since it is the same on each side.

EMPHASIS OR FOCAL POINT

Emphasis or focal point is the first place on the garment to which the eye is drawn. It may be created through a convergence of lines, a combination of colors, or a detail. This razorback tank’s focal point is the white trim which catches the eye with a symmetrical use of line. This top is unique in that there could also be a second focal point. The navy trim at the bottom catches the

RHYTHM

Rhythm is the organized movement of the eye through the related elements of a garment. Rhythm can be achieved by strong silhouette lines; through the use of color, line or shape; and through the use of repetition, radiation, and gradation. The eye moves from each tier of lace on this skirt. The repetition of pattern on the skirt yields for nice rhythm.

HARMONY OR UNITY

Harmony refers to the way in which all of the design elements in a garment work together to produce a pleasing aesthetic appearance and to give a feeling of unity to the design. This dress has harmony throughout the garment, including the vertical lines, pattern, color use, and balance. This piece is pleasing to the eye and has unity throughout.