PRINCIPLES AND ELEMENTS
OF DESIGN
REVIEW
Principles & Elements of Design
Principles
Balance
Proportion
Rhythm
Emphasis
Elements
Color
Line
Texture
Shape
Form
Concepts we have covered already.
Fashion Illustration Terms
 Croquis - A fashion illustration of a body that can be duplicated to use for
designing.
 Fashion figures/ models - taller and thinner than the
average real person.
 Silhouette – the shape of one’s body
or a garment.
Shape in Fashion
 Pear Shape- Attempt to draw the eye up and balance the
difference between top and middle of the body
 Hourglass- Considered the perfect body shape with bust and
waist roughly 10 inches smaller than the waist. 36-26-36
 Apple- More rounded figure shape. Attempt to lengthen the
body out using vertical lines, solid colors, less texture.
 Cone or Triangle- larger chest/bust, smaller hips- try to
equalize both areas.
 Rectangular/ Ruler- More straight up and down. Widen body
with horizontal lines if thinner. Can use prints, and designs if
not over powering.
Ideal Silhouette
 The perfect shape!
 Hourglass figure
 The ideal body is
said to be 8 heads tall
with 7/8 of it below the
head.
 Standards of beauty
change over time.
Form
 3-dimensional shape that is
emphasized in fashion design
 Watch this link: Form Follows Fashion- be sure
to watch part that includes adaptive styles for
special populations.
http://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitionsgalleries/exhibitions/fashion-follows-form
Body Types
 Figure – a term used for the shape of a
woman’s body
 Physique – a term used for the shape of a
man’s body
Illusion-
Visually appearing
different from what something
really is!
 One can create an illusion by
applying the principles and
elements of design.
 What do you want us to see?
Rhythm- Principle of Design
 Repetition – a repeated shape
1.
2.
Regular = consistent
Irregular = random
 Gradation – repetition is
altered in one area in
a consistent manner
 Radiation - line or shape radiates
from a center point
Proportion
 The relationship of all parts
in a design to each other
and to the whole.
 The most pleasing proportion
is 3/5 - the Golden Ratio/Mean
 Which one is most pleasing?
Emphasis
 Principle of design that uses a concentration of
interest
in a particular part or area of a design.
*Focal Point
The most important
visual element
dominates over all .
Harmony
 Pleasing visual unity of a design created by a
tasteful relationship among all parts within
the whole.
Balance
Implies equilibrium or
steadiness
1.Formal = symmetrical
Both sides are the same.
2.Informal = asymmetrical
Both sides are different,
but still balanced.
Assignment Portfolio Pages
 Complete the Elements- Do two pages that
show your understanding of shape & form vs
function.
 Shape- pick the body shape that most resembles
your own. Find three styles that would look good
on your body shape. For instance:
PearThis style hides the wider hips,
while gracefully fooling the eye
to make bust slightly larger.
Balances the top and bottom of
the body.
Portfolio Continued
 Form Follows Fashion- find 3 designs that
emphasize geometric shapes or are
functionally structured to accommodate a
body need.
This jacket is designed for a
handicapped person who would
find it difficult to put their arms
above their head and probably
sits in a wheelchair most of the
day.
More Form Examples
This shoe has an extra
embellishment that has no function,
but does make a dramatic fashion
statement. One might think it was
inspired by looking at the legs of
fluffy feathered bird or chicken.
This adaptable dress to
be worn during
pregnancy and be
adapted and changed as
the pregnancy changes.
Therefore it has a good
design for form and
function.
Principles of Design
Portfolio Pages
• Find one example of each principle of design.
• You may put two principles on the same page.
• Write a descriptive paragraph for each principle of design
fashion.
• Principles:
Balance
Proportion
Rhythm
Emphasis
Hint: Google Search- you will find some excellent examples.
You therefore have 4 pages left to complete:
1 each for Shape & Form (2 total pages)
2 pages that have 2 principles on one page (2 pages)