The Elements of Design in Clothing

Chapter 11 page 172

Elements of Design

• The elements of design are the building blocks/basic ingredients that artists, interior designers, and fashion designers use to put together their creations.

• These elements include: line, shape, space, texture, and color.

Line A line is a series of points connected together to form a narrow path.

• Straight Lines:• Vertical: tall, more slender look. They have a

feeling of strength, dignity, and formality.• Horizontal: give a shorter, wider look. They

tend to create a feeling of stability and restfulness.

• Diagonal: add movement and excitement. More dramatic and more trendy in nature.

• Curved Line: add softness and roundness to a garment. They also create a more casual image.

Line

Line

Line

Shape

• Shape is the outline, or silhouette, of an object.

• Look at the objects around you-they all have an outer shape.

• What is the shape of your classroom chalkboard, your living room sofa, and your pants or skirt?

Fashion Shapes• Fashion shapes refer to the

silhouettes, or outer shapes, of the clothing on an individual.• The natural shape is the one that

follows your body’s outline.• The tubular shape is rectangular

with vertical emphasis.• The bell shape combines both

vertical and horizontal lines in a silhouette.

• Full shapes have more horizontal and curved lines than do other shapes.

Natural Shape

Tubular Shape

Bell Shape

Full Shape

Space

• The area inside the shape of your garment is just as important as the silhouette. The lines created within this area by seams and trims divide your garment and you into inner spaces.

• These internal lines can be either structural or decorative.

Space

Texture

• The texture of a fabric is caused by the type of its fiber, yarn, construction, and finish.

• The texture determines how the fabric feels, looks, and moves when it is worn.

• Fabric texture can be soft or crisp, smooth or nubby, and dull or shiny.

Texture

Center of Emphasis

Center of Emphasis

Center of Emphasis

Proportion

Proportion

Texture

Texture

Texture