FUNDAMENTALS

OF DESIGN

Instructor: Arch. Nehad AlQadi

AGENDA
Introduction
Elements of Design
Elements Uses and Expressions
Abstract Design
Assignment

Fundamentals of Design
INTRODUCTION
TO DESIGN
Design in general is the process of envisioning and planning the creation of objects, interactive
systems, buildings, vehicles, etc. It’s user-centered, means that users are at the heart of the design
thinking approach. It is about creating solutions for people, physical items or more abstract systems
to address a need or a problem, or to express emotions.
Art or Science?
While not being exactly an art nor a science, it takes elements from both. Art is about creating
something that expresses the author’s vision, ideas and feelings. While designers can express feelings
and leave impressions through their work, doing so is not their prime objective. So, it takes the
creating aspect of art, as it is about crafting an item, a tool, an experience even

Design
Art Science

Fundamentals of Design
INTRODUCTION
TO DESIGN
Design in Architecture is generally conceived—designed—and
realized—built—in response to an existing set of conditions.
These conditions may be purely functional in nature, or they may
also reflect in varying degrees the social, political, and economic
climate.
In any case, it is assumed that the existing set of conditions “the
problem” is less than satisfactory and that a new set of conditions “a
solution” would be desirable. The act of creating this satisfaction,
then, is a problem-solving or design process.

Problem or Need Conditions Solution

Fundamentals of Design
DESIGN ELEMENTS
If we imagine the design
process as authoring a book or
an essay.
• We use letters to build • Points are like letters.
words
• We use words to formulate
• Points in a path make a line.
sentences
Lines form planes.
• Sentences make a
• Planes or surfaces could be
paragraph.
extruded to volumes.
• Paragraph is a full idea
presentation. • A Volume forms a real-life
space.
• The group of paragraphs
build up our project • Volume and spaces form our
(book). project.

Fundamentals of Design
 6
Fundamentals of Design
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
 Point  Line  Plane  Volume

Volume
3D
Point Line Point
No Dimensions
1D
Plane
2D
Fundamentals of Design
 A point marks a position in space. Conceptually, it has no length, width,
or depth, and is therefore static, centralized, and directionless.
A POINT As the prime element in the vocabulary of form, a point can serve to
mark:

• the two ends of a line

• the intersection of two lines

• the meeting of lines at the corner of a plane or volume

• the center
Although oftheoretically
a point a field has neither shape nor form, it begins to make its presence felt
when placed within a visual field. At the center of its environment, a point is stable and at rest,
organizing surrounding elements about itself and dominating its field.

When the point is moved off-center, however, its field

becomes more aggressive and begins to compete for visual
supremacy.

Fundamentals of Design
​A LINE
A point extended becomes a line.
Conceptually, a line has length, but no width
or depth.
Whereas a point is by nature static, a line, in
describing the path of a point in motion, is
capable of visually expressing direction,
movement, and growth.
Fundamentals of Design
Although a line theoretically has only one dimension,
it must have some degree of thickness to become
visible.
It is seen as a line simply because its length
dominates its width. The character of a line, whether
taut or limp, bold or tentative, graceful or ragged, is
determined by our perception of its length–width
ratio, its contour, and its degree of continuity.
Even the simple repetition of like or similar elements,
if continuous enough, can be regarded as a line. This
type of line has significant textural qualities.
PLANES AND GRIDS
Lines can be used to form
planes, grids, patterns and
symbols. Whereas it could be
used for expressions and
abstractions.
The transition from 2D to 3D
needs to be regulated.
We use grids and patterns to
regulate the resulted volumes.
These patterns can express
moods, feelings, and styles.

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Fundamentals of Design
FIRST ASSIGNMENT
• Phase I : Choose an animal, let’s say a cat, then draw its
silhouettes three times; black ink on white background. In each
time use a different line composition to represent a mood while
the background is left blank.

• Phase II : The animal silhouette to be drawn three times and left

blank while the background is composed of different lines
representing a mood.

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Fundamentals of Design