FCS-FNL-4ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

What do we know?What do we want to know?

What did we learn?

Written by: Helen Hawyer

Georgia CTAE Resource Network

2010

The notes from this PowerPoint were

paraphrased from the book “Residential

Housing and Interiors” (Good-Heart Wilcox)

Chapter 6

VOCABULARY•SPACE

•LINE

•SHAPE

•FORM

•TEXTURE

•COLOR

A. The area provided for a particular purpose

B. The visual direction of a design

C. A flat or silhouette design that is 2-D in width and length

D. The outlined edges of a 3-D object

E. A surface’s tactile quality

F. Another name for hue

SPACE• Without space, there would be

nothing to decorate!– the area provided for a particular purpose– May be 2 or 3 dimensional– Can be divided into distinct parts

• Provide a sense of space and security– Using doors, walls, dividers, screens,

etc.

– Too little space creates a feeling of loss of privacy

• Think of the streets of New York City

– Too much space can create a feeling of loneliness

• Think of the deserts of Nevada

– Space should change gradually instead of abruptly

• Kitchens flow into dining rooms, which flow into dens, which flow into back porches, etc. etc.

CROWDED!

Above: Too many things going on in a small space.

Right: The bathroom is almost non functional because of the crowded space

Above: This space is too small to use as a sitting area and a dining area.

SPACED OUT!

Notice a division of space using a screen (Right) and columns (Below)

This space to the right is used as a den. The designer made certain to incorporate the use of window space on the wall.

SPACE HOMEWORK•Utah State Lesson Planshttp://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=4925

LINE

• The visual direction of a design• Used to emphasize an element or to hide

one– For example, making a short room appear taller

• Lines can be used in patterns of wallpaper or fabric, or in shapes of furniture and windows

• Types of lines– Vertical…add height

• Tall furniture

– Horizontal…lead eye left or right and create width

• Long couches, long tables

– Diagonal…suggest action or movement, create excitement in design

• Staircases, checkerboard floors

– Curved…add softening, graceful effect• Arched doorways and windows, rounded furniture

DIAGONAL

VERTICAL

HORIZONTAL

CURVED

PROJECT

BLACK AND WHITE LINE DESIGN

– Utah State Lesson Plans• http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/

preview.cgi?LPid=4141

STRUCTURAL AND DECORATIVE DESIGN

– Utah State Lesson Plans•http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=4101

SHAPE AND FORM• Shape is a flat silhouette or

image– Has two dimensions, length and

width– Created by intersecting lines that

form geometrical shapes– Imperfect geometric shapes cause

tension and attract interest• They should be used with care

– Stained glass windows– Modern Art

SHAPE AND FORM• Form is the outlined edges of a

3-D object– Has length, width and depth as

well as volume and mass– A square is a shape, but when 6

are joined together, it creates a form, or a cube

• Dressers, chest of drawers

– Forms can be sturdy or fragile• Heavy wood versus a glass vase

– Related forms look better together than unrelated forms

• A collection of circular objects in various sizes verses square, rectangle, and circular objects.

PROJECT• SHAPE AND FORM PROJECTS

– Utah State Lesson Plans•Shape and Form Salt Dough•http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=4281

– Team Shape Picture•http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=4280

– Shape Creation•http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=4280

TEXTURE• Texture is the surfaces tactile quality

– Tactile refers to the perception of touch• Crinkled, rough, smooth, wrinkled, etc.

• Patterns or colors often form illusions of texture– Floral patterns give off texture even when

printed on silk (a smooth surface)– Striped fabrics give a sense of rigid

texture

• Furniture can have texture– Carvings made into wood or wood grains

showing through a stain

• Can affect color by subduing or intensifying it– Rough surfaces absorb more light and

smooth surfaces reflect light

SMOOTH/FORMAL

ROUGH/INFORMAL

Texture Project

Utah State Lesson Plans

http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=4283

COLOR• The most important element of

design and the most exciting tool of the designer!

• Colors are also called hues• Designers use the color wheel

to help match color schemes

Color Book

Project