Elements of Design

“The Tools”
Elements of Design
 Elements are the building blocks or
“Tools” of design.
 Color: Most exciting element of design
 Shape: Overall outline of a garment, it
is the form or silhouette.
 Line: Distinct, elongated mark as if
drawn by a pencil or pen.
 Texture: The surface quality of goods.
Color Wheel
 There are 12 hues in the spectrum of color.
 They are divided into three categories
B lu e B lu e - v io le t

B lu e - g r e e n V io le t

G re e n R e d - v io le t

Y e llo w - g r e e n R ed

Y e llo w R e d -o ra n g e

Y e llo w - o r a n g e O ra n g e
Primary Colors
 Red, Yellow, and Blue
 These colors cannot be created by mixing
any other colors together
B lu e B lu e - v io le t

B lu e - g r e e n V io le t

G re e n R e d - v io le t

Y e llo w - g r e e n R ed

Y e llo w R e d -o ra n g e

Y e llo w - o r a n g e O ra n g e
Secondary Colors
 Green, violet, and orange
 Made by combining 2 of the Primary colors
together
B lu e B lu e - v io le t

B lu e - g r e e n V io le t

G re e n R e d - v io le t

Y e llo w - g r e e n R ed

Y e llo w R e d -o ra n g e

Y e llo w - o r a n g e O ra n g e
 Tertiary or Intermediate Colors
 Yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet,
red-orange, yellow-orange.
 Made by combining a primary and a secondary hue.
 Named by the Primary color first.

B lu e B lu e - v io le t

B lu e - g r e e n V io le t

G re e n R e d - v io le t

Y e llo w - g r e e n R ed

Y e llo w R e d -o ra n g e

Y e llo w - o r a n g e O ra n g e
Monochromatic Color Scheme
 Based on one color from the color wheel.
 Uses light, medium and dark values
 Uses neutral colors to balance color
distribution
Complementary Color Scheme
 Two colors that are exactly opposite on the
color wheel – can be lightened, darkened,
brightened or dulled.
Complementary
Triad Color Scheme
 Three colors that are equidistant on
the color wheel – such as red,
yellow and blue.
Triad
Analogous Color Scheme
 Three to six colors that are adjacent
to each other on the color wheel.
Split Complementary Color
Scheme
 Consists of a base hue and the two colors that are
on either side of its direct complement – such as
green, red-violet and red orange.
Neutral Color Scheme
 White, off-white, gray, black and off-black.
 Browns and beiges are also considered neutrals,
even they are actually neutralized color tones.
 Does not use colors from color wheel
Color Forecasting
 Color Association of the United Stat
es
 Color Marketing Group
 International Colour Authority
 Pantone
Shape/Silhouette
 Form of a garment
 Outline seen from
a distance
 Reveal or hide
body contour
 Try to flatter good
features and hide
less attractive
features
Silhouette
 Wide shapes make you look bigger
 Trim, compact silhouettes make you

look smaller
 Straight, tubular shapes make you

look taller
 Form fitting clothes should only

be worn by figures that are

near-perfect
Line
 Direction, width,
length
 Eyes follow lines
 Lines suggest
movement,
leading eyes up,
down, side-to-
side
 Outline outer
and inner spaces
of garments
 Structural – lines
required to maintain
the structure of the
garment; for example,
seams
 Decorative – lines
created by the
designer for
decoration; for
example, a printed-on
design
Straight Lines

 Message
 Strong, Formal,
Masculine, Severe
 Illusion
 Emphasizes body
lines and angles
Straight Lines

 Placements
 Closures,
Necklines,
Collars, Lapels,
Seam lines,
Darts, Tucks,
Pleats, Stripes
Curved Lines

 Rounded,
circular
 Less formal
 Gentle, soft,
youthful
 Circles are
closed lines
and stop the
eye entirely
Curved Lines

 Message
 Romantic, Casual,
Feminine, Graceful
 Illusion
 Emphasizes
rounded curves,
counters straight
lines
Jagged Lines
 Jagged: change
direction
abruptly
 Create a
jumpy,
confused
feeling
 Use sparingly,
they are very
noticeable
 LINE DIRECTION: Vertical

 Feeling of
dignity and
strength
 Leads eye up
and down,
makes wearer
look taller and
thinner
 Vertical lines

 Message
 Formal, stiff,
business-like,
Illusion
 Emphasizes height,
slimming
LINE DIRECTION: Diagonal

 Degree of
slant
determines
the visual
effect
 Draws
attention to
where they
are used
Diagonal Lines
 Message
 Active, dramatic,
in motion,
Illusion
 Counters vertical
and horizontal
lines
Dress Lines
LINE DIRECTION: Horizontal
 Leads eye across
the body, makes
wearer seem
shorter and
wider

 Use where you

want to look
wider
Horizontal Lines
 Message
 Restful, calm,
relaxed
Illusion
 Shortness,
counters vertical
lines
Texture

 Surface quality of
garments (how it looks
and feels)
 Bulky fabrics
 Add visual size
(make you look
bigger)
 Can disguise a flaw

 Can overpower a
small person
Texture

 Shiny textures
make you look
bigger, as they
reflect light
Texture
 Dull Textures
make you
look smaller,
as they
absorb light
Smooth, flat
textures
make you
look smaller