DESIGN BASICS

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

DESIGN BASICS
A knowledge of design basics
is key to the successful
planning & implementation of
any interior design project.
The elements & principles of
design represent general,
universal ideas that refer to
every aspect of design.
Once designers understand
peoples perception & reaction
to their environments, they
can use the elements &
principles of design to form a
whole composition.

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
provide a framework for problem solving
in the design process

Form

texture

Components brought
together to create an
environment

color

FORM

encompasses
spatial definition of a
thing, its extent in
one, two, or three
dimensions
In math form is
spoken in terms of:
point
line
plane

LINE

LINE
extension of a pointing
can be straight or curved
can express various feelings &
emotions:
smooth seems serene & soothing
heavy signify anger & energy
Direction one of the most expressive
qualities of line

LINE

LINE
Vertical lines: evoke
aspiration, stability,
ascendancy
Horizontal lines:
express feelings of
rest & relaxation
Diagonal lines:
suggest movement &
activity

LINE
large upward curves:
suggest gentle,
relaxed movement
Downward curves
seem serious & sad
Small curves: denote
playfulness & humor.

CURVED LINE

SHAPE

SHAPE
refers to twodimensional forms
created by intersecting
lines
can be simple
geometric forms such
as:
square
triangle
o circle
irregular & amorphous
(conforms to no particular
definition / form)

 Simple geometric
forms: evoke
stability &
completeness
Irregular shapes:
appear more
dynamic &
interesting
Either used in
excess may create
boredom or unease.

SHAPE

VOLUME
refers to extension of
shape into 3 dimensions
In an interior
environment volume is
typified by objects:
furniture, residual
space- defined by
structure, columns,
doors etc.

SPACE

SPACE
infinite extension of a
3dimensional field
realm where shape &
volume exist
determines aesthetic
qualities
designs in space require
interaction when viewing,
experiencing

TEXTURE

TEXTURE
essentially a tactile
texture- felt
visual texture- seen:
patterns
perceived by touch or
sight
rough, smooth, bumpy,
fuzzy, grooved, prickly
create feelings in
environment:
smooth- cold &
impersonal
rough- warm & natural

COLOR

COLOR
encompasses both art
& science
evokes strong
emotional responses

HUES
2 categories: warm &
cool
Warm: stimulates &
excites, elevates
apparent room
temperature & make
interior seem cozy &
friendly

WARM

RED

YELLOW ORANGE

HUES
Cool: soothes &
relaxes, elicits feeling
of formality, reserve &
can seem refreshing on
a hot day

COOL

BLUE

GREEN VIOLET

QUIZ: Follow instructions.

Keep everything away. Nothing on top of
desk except 1 Pen & 1 Paper!
Fold your yellow paper lengthwise.
Everything inside your bags.
SILENCE!

QUIZ
1-3 name the elements of design
4-6 in the design aspect, form is compose by
these elements.
7-8 what are the two types of texture
9. define at least 1 element of design
10. A knowledge of ___________ is key to the
successful planning & implementation of any
interior design project.

PASS YOUR PAPERS!

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
SCALE

RHYTHM
PRINCIPLES
OF
DESIGN

PROPORTION

EMPHASIS

HARMONY

used to organize individual elements into a

workable, aesthetic design concept

BALANCE

BALANCE
results from interaction of inter-playing
forces, attractions, weights
strives for a state of equilibrium to create a
sense of tranquility
BALANCE

SYMMETRICAL
BALANCE

RADIAL
BALANCE

ASYMMETRICAL
BALANCE

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE
deals with designs
whose halves are
mirror images of
one another
connotes feelings
of formality,
security, stability,
due to its
predictability

ASSYMMETRICAL BALANCE

ASSYMMETRICAL BALANCE
more interesting
than symmetrical
balance & more
difficult to
achieve

RADIAL BALANCE

RADIAL BALANCE
occurs when elements
repeat around a
central point
chief characteristic: is
a circular movement
away from, toward, or
around a focal point
maybe symmetrical if,
when divided along a
line piercing the
center, the halves are
identical mirror images

RHYTHM

RHYTHM
provides an
underlying unity, &
evolving variety
constitutes:
continuity,
recurrence, or
reorganized
movement

Primary ways
of
developing
rhythm

REPETITION

PROGRESSION

RHYTHM: REPETITION
repetition of identical shape, form, line,
color gives a unifying characteristic to an
environment

RHYTHM: PROGRESSION
ordered systematic
change develops
movement by modifying
one or more of the
spatial elements to
create a sequence or
transition
suggests motion,
progression, more
dynamic than simple
repetition

EMPHASIS

EMPHASIS
deals in terms of
dominance &
subordination
calls attention to more
important elements of
space when properly
used
helps define focal
points, visual rest areas
& progressive degrees
of interest in between

EMPHASIS
Ways to
achieve
emphasis

Position

light

shape

contrast

HARMONY
marked by consistent,
pleasing interaction
of spatial elements
Achieved thru:
elements & principles
working in space
relating to each other
& to the overall
design concept

HARMONY
Unity:
describes
elements of a
whole that are in
accord
makes for ease of
identification but
provides dull
when unrelieved

PROPORTION

PROPORTION
desired relationship
of parts to the whole
Related to size: deals
with magnitude,
quantity, or degree
relationship between
parts is that if one
part varies, another
varies in a ratio to
the first

SCALE & PROPORTION

PROPORTION
Poorly
proportioned room:
seems too long or
too wide;
no indisputable
system for
determining proper
proportions exists

SCALE
conveys the relative
size of an object
measured by a
dimension of
comparison, such as a
human body
demonstrates
relationship between
man & his environment

SCALE
Large scale
denotes: power,
formality, security,
elegance by
feeding the
human ego
Smaller scale
denotes: child-like
wistfulness

 The elements of design are building

blocks used in creating an interior.
The principles of design are the methods
in which those building blocks are
arranged.
All of the elements & principles must
work together in order to create a
pleasing, aesthetic environment.
This knowledge allows the designer to
utilize his imagination in creating unique
environments that satisfy various needs
& desires.