The document discusses the key elements and principles of good design: 1) Elements are the basic parts (space, line, form, texture, pattern, color) used in design. Principles are the rules for using the elements to create harmony. 2) Each element is defined - space is the 3D area, line connects points, form/shape is 3D, texture is the surface quality, pattern is an arrangement of motifs, and color is visual wavelengths. 3) Principles ensure the elements work together properly through concepts like proportion, scale, balance, rhythm, emphasis, and harmony. The goal is for the design to have unity.

1. The Elements of
GOOD
Design

2. Principles and Elements
• Elements are “parts” of the design
• Principles are the “rules” for using the parts
– We will be learning how to identify the elements
and then apply the rules (principles) to create
GOOD design
• Overall Goal => Harmony

3. Elements Principles
Space Proportion
Line Scale
Form/Shape Balance
Texture Rhythm
Pattern Emphasis
Color Harmony

4. Space

5. What is it?
• 3 dimensional area with which the designer
works
• Consider size of space and arrangement
within the space

6. How do spaces make you feel?
Design Feeling
Open
Empty
High Ceilings or too little
furniture
Too much furniture
Well designed small spaces

7. If space is limited
• Objects may need to be smaller and
fewer in number
• To make appear larger – leave
open space, use mirrors, choose
furniture that has dual purpose

8. If there is too much space
• Make space appear smaller by:
• Divide space
–How?
• Dividers, rugs furnishings
• Change shape

9. Positive and Negative Space
• Negative Space
– Empty space
– EXAMPLE: the area under the desk
• Positive Space
– Filled space
– EXAMPLE: the desk
• All rooms should have a balance of both
positive and negative space.

12. Connection of two points
Used to separate or unify
a space
Conveys a sense of
movement for the eye

13.  Horizontal – follows horizon
 Diagonal – angled
 Vertical – up and down
 Curved

14. Vertical Lines
 Formality
 Increased
height
 Strength and
stability

15.  What types of lines
are in this picture?
 What feeling does it
give you?
 Straight Horizontal
lines create a restful
and informal feeling

17.  Action
 Excitement
 Movement
 Energy

18.  delicacy, comfort, graceful, feminine

19.  Sharp angled and competing lines

20. Structural vs. Decorative
◦ Structural
 The design is an integral part of the
structure itself.
 The structure and design cannot be
separated.
◦ Decorative
 Involves the application of color, line,
texture, or pattern to an object.

21. Form and Shape
Is this chair shape or form?

22. Shape
Shape is 2 dimensional: length
and width (picture of chair)
The outline of an object
Basic shapes---circles, square,
triangles, etc.
Everything has a shape—
telephones, cows, cars, etc.

23. Form
Form is 3 dimensional: length,
width, and height (actual chair)
 Basic forms--cones, cylinders,
spheres, cubes, etc.

24. Form or Shape
 Circle
 Square
 Cube
 Sphere
 Cylinder
 Oval
 Picture of a cow
 Your pet

25. Use in design
 Form has to do with the actual weight or
the (visual) apparent weight
 Large heavy objects signify stability but a
group of smaller items can have same
effect
 Lighter weight appears whimsical, airy
 Color and texture change visual weight

26. Ask yourself
Does the form of the
object or space reflect its
intended use and fulfill its
intended function?
Does it blend with other
forms in the room?

27. Team Shape
 Put your name on your paper.
 Each team member choose a different color
colored pencil.
 Each team member choose a shape (circle, square,
rectangle, triangle, start, heart, etc…).
 Draw your chosen shape anywhere on this page.
 When the teacher says “PASS”, pass your paper
to the person sitting next to you in the clockwise
direction.
 Draw your shape on the paper that you have.
Continue passing and drawing until the teacher
tells you to stop.

28. Texture
What are some words that describe texture?

29. Coloring Activity
• You need a coloring sheet and a crayon
• Take the coloring page and your crayon to
different surfaces around the room
• Rub your crayon over a section of the
picture and then choose a new surface and
fill in a new part of the picture
• Use at least 10 different surfaces and label
each surface

30. Texture adds variety and interest
• Light affects the appearance of
texture
• Shiny textures reflect more light
and appear brighter (stainless
steel refrigerator)
• Rough textures absorb light thus
they appear darker

31. Categories of Texture
•Visual – the appearance
of a surface
•Tactile – the feel of a
surface

32. Formal/Informal
• Shiny, smooth textures are
characteristic of formal
interiors.
• Can you picture a baby grand
piano with a rough texture?
• Rough, heavily textured walls
are generally informal.

33. Size
• Heavily textured walls will
make a room appear smaller.
• Walls with little to no texture
will make a room appear larger.

34. Textures affect us
• Everything we touch evokes a
physical response (hard, soft,
rough smooth, etc…)
• affects sound qualities
• affects care and upkeep of an
object
• source of beauty and character

36. Arrangement of motifs to create
a unified design
Simplest way to add interest to
a surface
Too much pattern can make a
room busy and uncomfortable
Without pattern, room may be
bare or lacking in character

37. If successful – feel comfortable
If incompatible – uneasy feeling
To achieve correctness in
combining patterns:
 Evaluate placement of emphasis
 Know character of pattern
 Identify color scheme of pattern
 Use a variety of sizes of patterns