Using Design in Fashion
Objectives
• Explain the importance of each element of
design in relation to fashion.
• Apply the principles of design to apparel.
• Describe how harmony is achieved in
garment designs.
• Discuss how to use design to create
illusions that enhance appearance.
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Design
• Design is a plan that puts an idea together
• The elements of design are color, shape,
line, and texture
– Combined in different ways, they form designs
• The principles of design are balance,
proportion, emphasis, and rhythm
– Design harmony results when the elements are
combined effectively
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Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
Using the Elements of Design
• In fashion, the design elements are
combined according to current trends
• How design elements are used
– distinguishes garments from each other
– can influence the sale of garments
– can reflect the fresh new looks of each season
• Color is the most exciting design element
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Color
• Color has three dimensions or descriptive
qualities
– Hue is the name given to a color, such as blue,
red, or green
– Value is the lightness or darkness. A tint is
whiter than the pure hue; a shade is darker
– Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a color
continued
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Color
• Black, white, and gray are neutrals; they
have no hue
– Neutrals can be used alone or with almost any
colors
– White reflects light
– Black absorbs all light
• Beige is also considered a neutral color since
it can be used with most colors
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Using the Color Wheel
• The color wheel shows the hues and their
relationships
– Primary hues are red, yellow, and blue
– Secondary hues—orange, green, and violet—
appear between the primary hues
– Intermediate hues appear between each primary
and secondary color
• A color wheel also shows warm and cool
colors
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Warm and Cool Colors
• Warm colors—red to yellow hues
– represent fire, sun, and brilliance
– give a feeling of activity, cheerfulness, and
liveliness
– can convey a nervous impression if overdone
• Cool colors—green to violet hues
– represent water and the sky
– give a restful, calm, relaxed feeling
– can convey a depressing mood if overdone
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Color Schemes
• Color schemes are ways that colors can
effectively be used together
• Monochromatic color scheme—uses different
tints, shades, and intensities of one color
• Analogous color scheme—uses adjacent, or
related, colors on the color wheel
• Complementary color scheme—uses hues
that are directly across from each other on
the color wheel
continued
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Color Schemes
• Split-complementary color scheme—uses
three colors by combining one color with the
color on each side of its complement
• Triad color scheme—combines three colors
equidistant on the wheel, such as red, yellow
and blue
• Accented neutral color scheme—combines
white, black, gray, or beige with a bright
color accent
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Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
Fashion Insights
• Colors can appear to change the size
and shape of the person wearing them
– A single color, or all close values, for an
entire outfit makes a person look thinner
and taller
– Dark, dull colors minimize attention
– To emphasize the best physical features, a
small amount of a light or bright color can
be used in an advantageous location
continued
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Fashion Insights
• Outfits are generally more attractive if
areas of light and dark are not equal
• From a distance, the colors in narrow
stripes and small plaids blend together
• Colors appear to change when viewed
under different lights
– To get a true color match, it may be
necessary to view items in natural light
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Shape
• Shape is the silhouette, or the overall form
or outline of an outfit
– Full, wide, flaring shapes add width, making
people look larger
– Compact silhouettes make people look smaller
• Consider facial shapes in relation to apparel
neckline designs
– If facial shape is extreme in any way, the
neckline should not repeat it
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Line
• Line is a distinct, elongated mark as if drawn
by a pen
– It leads the path of eye movement, outlining the
inner and outer spaces to form the details of a
fashion garment
• In fashion, structural lines are formed
when garments are constructed
– such as at seams or darts
continued
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Line
• Decorative lines, or applied lines, are
created by adding details to the surface of
clothing
– such as applied edgings, topstitching, and
buttons, or accessories such as scarves and
necklaces
• Decorative lines often accentuate structural
lines
– Too much detail causes competition between the
lines and is confusing and unattractive
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Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
Line Types and Directions
• Lines are
– straight, curved, or jagged
– in 3 basic directions: vertical, horizontal, diagonal
• Straight lines are bold and severe,
suggesting dignity, power, and formality
• Curved lines are less conservative, formal,
and powerful than straight lines
continued
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Line Types and Directions
• Jagged lines change direction abruptly in
zigzag patterns
• Vertical lines give the impression of height
and slimness
• Horizontal lines go from side to side, giving a
relaxed, calm feeling
• Diagonal lines slant, drawing attention to the
area where they are used
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Texture
• Texture is the tactile quality of goods or the
feel and look of a material’s surface
– Structural texture is determined by the fibers,
yarns, and method of fabric construction
– Added visual texture is achieved by the finishes
and designs applied to the surface
• Added visual texture is often more noticeable
than the structural texture of a fabric
continued
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Texture
• Combinations of textures can be attractive if
not too many are combined in one outfit
• Texture can create illusions in apparel
– Shiny textures emphasize body contours and can
make people look larger
• Large, bold visual patterns intensify emphasis
and increase the apparent size of the wearer
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Using the Principles of Design
• A garment with good design
– is pleasing to the eye
– makes the wearer look his or her best
– combines the design elements well, according to
the principles of design
• Combining design elements and principles
well achieves harmony, the goal of design
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Balance
• Balance produces equality among the parts
of a design or outfit
• It implies equilibrium or steadiness among
the parts
• Balance in garments is produced by
– structural parts and added decoration
– good fabric design
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Examples of Balance
• A larger area of fine or soft texture balances
a smaller area of heavy or coarse texture
• Warm and dark colors appear heavier than
cool and light ones
• A small amount of a bright color balances a
large amount of a dull one
• Large amounts of tints or neutrals balance
smaller areas of shades or bright colors
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Formal and Informal Balance
• Formal balance is symmetrical, with one side
identical to the other
– It has a dignified and formal appearance
• The human figure has formal balance
• Informal balance creates equilibrium with an
asymmetrical arrangement of design details
– It is more subtle and casual than formal balance
and usually more interesting
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Proportion
• Proportion is the spatial, or size,
relationship of all the parts in a design to
each other and to the whole
– This is sometimes called scale
• Proportion is most pleasing when areas are
divided unevenly
– Example: short jackets with long skirts
continued
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Proportion
• To achieve a pleasing proportion for fashions,
relate apparel items to the correct proportion
of the person wearing it
– Buttons, trimming, and pocket size should relate
to the overall size of the garment
– Large plaids will overpower a small frame
• Fashions that emphasize natural body
proportions are usually flattering and
pleasing
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Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
Emphasis
• Emphasis is a concentration of interest in a
particular part or area of a design
– Without a main focal point, an outfit looks
unplanned and monotonous
• Emphasis can be used to draw attention to
an attractive personal feature
– Color or texture contrasts as well as accessories
can create emphasis
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Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
Rhythm
• Rhythm is the pleasing arrangement of
design elements to produce a feeling of
continuity or easy movement
– Repetition, gradation, and radiation are the main
ways to create rhythm in fashions
• Repetition repeats lines, shapes, colors, or
textures in a garment
– Examples: pleats or a row of buttons
continued
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Rhythm
• Gradation is a gradual increase or decrease
of similar design elements, also called
progression
– Examples: light to dark color, fine to coarse
texture
• Radiation is created by lines emerging from a
central point like rays
– Examples: gathers, tucks, seams, darts, flowing
lines, or colors fanning outward from an area
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Harmony
• Harmony is pleasing visual unity created by
a tasteful relationship among all parts
– Nothing looks out of place
• Garments that have harmony are pleasing to
the eye and suit the wearer
– There is enough variation to be interesting, but
not clash
– Accessories can be used to create harmony
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Illusions Created by Design
• The relationship among the different parts of
the human form is called body build
– The shape of a female’s body is called her figure
– The shape of a male’s body is called his
physique
• By using design elements and principles
cleverly, body features can be accentuated or
hidden as desired
continued
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Illusions Created by Design
• Designers can use certain styles for desired
illusions to flatter various body builds
– Example: A-line skirts can hide wide hips
• Fashion professionals know how to help
others with their clothing selections
– Every aspect is important for an entire visual
effect from head to toe
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In Summary
• Color is often the most important design
element
• The shape of garments influences the
illusion of size
• Lines in a design lead the eye of the
observer
• Texture can add interest and appeal to
apparel
• Balance gives equilibrium to a design
continued
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Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
In Summary
• Proportion relates parts of a design to
each other and to the whole
• Emphasis is created with a focal point
• Rhythm produces a feeling of continuity
of movement in a design
• Design elements are used to create
pleasing visual harmony
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Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.