Objectives
- Determine how proportion & scale are related to objects
- Give examples of formal & informal balance
- Explain how emphasis creates focal points
- List different types of rhythm
- Describe the goals of design
- Give examples of sensory design
- Proportion
- Golden rectangle
- Golden mean
- Golden section
- Scale
- Visual weight
- Balance
- Formal balance
- Informal balance
- Emphasis
- Rhythm
- Repetition
- Gradation
- Radiation
- Opposition
- Transition
- Harmony
- Unity
- Sensory design
- Guidelines for working with the elements of design.
- Principles help you use elements successfully
- Proportion, scale, balance, emphasis rhythm
- Proportion is the relationship of parts of the same object or between different objects in a group
- Ex: the proportion of a shade to a lamp and to a table
- It is also the ratio of one part to another or of one part to a whole
- Ex: 2:3, 3:5
- The Greeks developed guidelines for proportion that have been used for centuries
- Golden Rectangle or Golden Ratio
- A rectangle that has sides in ratio of 2:3
- Often found in nature & in good design
- Golden Mean
- Division of a line between 1/2 and 1/3 its length
- The unequal division is more pleasing to the eye
- Golden Section
- Dividing a line or form in a way that the smaller section to the larger section is the same as the larger section to the whole
- Based on the Fibonacci sequence; a set of numbers where each new number is the sum of the 2 previous
- 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…
- Most people don’t actually measure proportion
- Some can tell by sight.
- Looks like it visually ‘fits’ in a room
- Scale is the relative size of an object in relation to other objects
- Ex: a chair is small compared to a bed; a twin bed is small compared to a king, but the twin is still larger than the chair
- If furniture is scaled to the room they are more visually pleasing
- Furniture should all be scaled to other furniture and room
- A large room needs large furniture. Small room needs small furniture
- Small couch, small lamp, small rug…
- Furniture needs to be scaled to people
- Smaller people need small furniture. Larger people would be more comfortable in appropriate furniture
- Visual weight is part of scale and is the perception that an object weighs more or less than it really does
- Ex: a wooden chair with the same dimensions as an upholstered chair will look lighter and smaller
- Small rooms require furniture with light visual weight (and small scale furniture); large rooms need “heavy” furniture.
- Balance implies equilibrium among parts of a design
- Balance is achieved when there is a sense of equal weight on both sides of a design
- Achieved by using visual weight
- Color, texture and form
- Bold, warm color objects appear heavier than cool colors
- Formal Balance is arranging identical objects on both sides of a center point; AKA symmetry
- Used in formal rooms
- Traditional decorating styles
- Exterior design
- Makes people feel comfortable; orderliness
- Informal Balance is placing different but equivalent objects to the sides of a center; AKA asymmetry
- Neither side overpowers the other
- Balance a heavy object and a lighter object – heavier object is closer to center line than lighter object
- Several small items can balance a large item
- Very important when arranging accessories and furnishings
- Type of balance used helps determine the mood of a room
- Formal = formality
- Informal = casual
- Emphasis is creating a center of interest or focal point
- Color and size are often used to designate a focal point
- Size of focal point should be in proportion to the room
- Focal point guidelines:
- The focal point should be worthy of the attention it will get
- It should dominate the room, but not overpower it
- No other features should compete with the focal point
- Articles of Emphasis
- Architectural features
- Windows, fireplaces
- Special placement of items
- Furniture groupings, colorful rugs etc
- Unusual accessories or their placement in a room
- Special lighting on a significant object
- Color and texture(either carried throughout room or one area/object)
Rhythm
- Rhythm helps lead the eyes from one place to another by forming organized patterns
- A continuous line found in a window and door frame helps produce rhythm
- Types of Rhythm
- Repetition is repeating an element of design – color, line, form, texture, etc.
- Ex: using a dominant color throughout a room
- Gradation is created by gradual increase or decrease of similar elements of design
- Ex: changing color values from dark to light
- Radiation uses lines flowing outward from a central point
- Ex: sunburst patterns in furniture
- Opposition uses lines to form right angles
- Ex: corners of window & picture frames
- Transition is created when curved lines carry the eyes from one part of an object or room to another
- When working with elements and principles, keep in mind the goals of design
- Function and appropriateness
- Harmony with unity and variety
- Beauty
Function & Appropriateness
- Furnishings should be appropriate for the function of the dwelling
- Formal dining tables don’t go in vacation cabin
- Furnishings should be appropriate for each room
- A frig doesn’t go in the living room
- The form of the furnishings should be appropriate for their function
- Adapt to the structure of human body
- Meet needs to reach, stand, sit and move within a room
- Harmony is agreement among the parts
- Elements of design are effectively used according to the principles of design
- Instruments in an orchestra – all tuned together and playing the same music
- Unity occurs when all parts of a design are related by one design idea
- Repeats similar elements of design
- Room is viewed as a whole and not separate pieces
Beauty
- Well-designed and pleasing objects
- Everyone has their own concept of beauty.
- If elements of design are arranged according to the principles of design, result will appear beautify to most people.
Sensory Design
- Good design responds to all sensory needs & serves people of all ages, sizes, & physical capability
- Sensory design is the application of design that affects the senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch
- Most affect sense of sight
- The other senses can be engaged through materials that affect smell & touch as well
- Smells evoke memories and thoughts
- Flowers = elegance
- Lemon/citrus = freshness
- Pine = outdoors
- Touch
- Marble = cold and hard
- Silk = soft
- Wood = rough or smooth
- Visually impaired rely on this sense
- Hearing
- Hard, smooth surfaces create loud, echoing sounds
- Rough, soft textures absorb sounds
- Temperature of a room
- Colors
- Heating and cooling systems
