USING THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

1. USING THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

2. Elements: 1. Communication can be verbal or non- verbal. Visual imagery (aka: design) is an example of non-verbal 2. Understanding and creating good design requires knowing design characteristics and the elements of design. 3. Design – the entire process used to develop a specific project.

3. THREE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS • Function: How the design works. Includes usefulness, convenience and organization • Construction: Materials and structure. • Aesthetics: beauty, pleasing appearance or effect

4. FUNCTION • Makes a product and/or room easier to use • Considers the needs of the people who are using them • Accommodates the ages, sizes and physical abilities of the users. • Provides easy access and eliminates barriers

5. CONSTRUCTION • Materials include: fabrics, woods, metals, plastics or stones • Choosing appropriate materials to support the room’s function • Must consider design quality, cost, maintenance, environmental implications, long term cost, etc. • Must meet industry standard and/or government codes. • How are they structured – is the product safe, durable

6. AESTHETICS • Beauty is hard to define however good aesthetic design should be pleasing to many people. • It may stimulate an emotion or communicate a message Ex: excitement or relaxation

7. The Elements of Design Part 2

8. The Elements • Designers use tools to design. These tools are called the elements of design • Line • Form • Space • Mass • Texture • Color – there is a lot to learn about color so we will cover more later 

9. Line • Two types of lines are straight and curved • Straight can be… • Horizontal • Direct your eyes across. They create a feeling of peace, relaxation, calmness and restfulness Examples in design: A mantel, a long sofa, a book shelf. • Vertical • Direct your eyes up and down. It suggest height, strength and dignity and stability. Examples in design: curtains wallpaper, tall mirrors. • Diagonal (half way between vertical and horizontal) • They represent activity. It also suggest movement, interest and excitement. Examples in design cathedral ceilings, staircases, lampshades. • Curved • Different degrees of curves communicate different ideas. They seem to be softer. It reflects organization, eternity and uniformity.

11. Form • Form is the physical shape of objects . It outlines a three dimensional object and contains volume and mass. It has height, width and depth • Types of form… • Realistic – looks like the real thing. It communicates a lifelike, traditional, and familiar feeling. • Abstract – rearranges or stylizes a recognizable object. It communicates a contemporary, changing, creative, and artistic feeling. • Geometric – uses squares, rectangles, circles and other geometric figures. It communicates organization, order, planning and a tailored look • Free – is random and flowing. You can find it in nature, plants, stones and wood. It communicates a sense of freedom

12. Space • Space refers to the area around a form (ex: area around a table) and the area inside a form (ex: inside a room) • Make sure you consider the size of the space and its arrangement • Size – Height, length and width. Who will use the space and how will they use it. It can communicate positive or negative feelings. • A large space will communicate openness and freedom. However an extremely large space (sports arena) might cause you to feel small and/or lost. • Small spaces can make you feel warm and cozy however adding more people or furniture to the same space might make you feel small and/or crowded.

13. Mass • Mass is the amount of pattern or object in a space • Mass also refers to how crowded or empty a space appears • High Mass – visually crowded • Low Mass – visually simple and sparse

14. Texture • Texture refers to the way something feels or appears to feel • Two types.. • Tactile – the way it feels to the touch • Visual – you see but cannot feel