THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
The basic elements of designs are
- LINE: This refers to the outline of an object or to the obvious lines within it.
- SHAPE: This refers to the form of a solid object, which is created when lines are combined. The outline of a garment is its shape.
- SPACE: This refers to the three dimensional area that is to be designed. It is the entire area within a garment.
- TEXTURE: This is the way the surface of a fabric looks and feels.
- COLOUR: This is one of the most important elements. It has many visual effects and its own language.
COLOUR WHEEL
This is an arrangement of colours in a circle to show how they are related.
- The primary colours: They are red, yellow and blue.
- The secondary colours: They are orange, green and purple/ violet.
- Tertiary colours: These are six, and each is a blend of primary and secondary colours. They include red- violet, blue- violet, blue- green, yellow- green, yellow- orange and red- orange.
- Warm colours: These are red, yellow, orange, yellow- orange etc.
- Cool colours: These are blue, green, purple, blue- purple etc.
POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN CHOOSING COLOURS
- Cool and dark colours make one look smaller than normal.
- Warm and light or bright colours make one look larger than normal.
- Bright contrasting colours draw attention to the figure, they therefore make one look larger than normal.
- Black can be used with all colour except very dark brown because there will be no contrast.
- White goes with every colour provided it is used sparingly.
- Brown goes well with yellow, green, light blue, orange etc.
- Grey as neutral colour, it harmonizes with red, yellow, blue, green, orange and purple
| 1 | Tall and slender | (i) large flowery designs (ii) warm colours (iii) horizontal stripes (iv) full sleeves and collars (v) gathered or pleated skirts | (i) vertical shapes (ii) tight dresses (iii) v- shaped or low narrow neck lines (iv) collarless dresses (v) sleeveless garments (vi) tiny designs |
| 2 | Short and plump/ stout | (i) vertical stripes (ii) cool colours (iii) fitted sleeves (iv) v- shaped, u- shaped or rectangular neckline | (i) fabrics with large elaborate prints (ii) large sleeves (iii) tight fitting dresses with high collar (iv) wide belts. |
| 3 | Flat chest | (i) Gathered and draped styles (ii) bodice should have added fullness (iii) bows, drapes | (i) fitted bodices (ii) too wide a neckline |
| 4 | Large bust | (i) v- shaped neckline (ii) fitted sleeves (iii) vertical lines | (i) very high neckline (ii) full sleeves (iii) breast pockets (iv) draped and gathered bodices |
| 5 | Short neck | (i) open neckline (ii) v- shaped neckline (iii) u- shaped neckline (iv) open collars | (i) tie neck bands (ii) high polo- necks (iii) mandarin neckline |
| 6 | Long neck | (i) high neckline (ii) turtle neck and high collars (iii) huge jewellery (iv) use of scarves | Wide or boat-shaped necklines |
| 7 | Large hips | (i) shape skirt from waist (ii) straight dresses with no belt (iii) gored skirts (iv) gathers can be used if the waist is small (v) stitched down pleats | (i) too narrow bodice (ii) fitted skirts (iii) pockets at hips |
See also
CARE AND HANDLING OF DIFFERENT FABRICS