Elements of Design Notes
Subject Overview
Elements of Design introduces the visual vocabulary that underpins every print and weave design a textile designer will ever create — texture, line, form, proportion, balance, and colour. You'll study each design element through lectures connecting it to nature and the design process, then move into a full unit on colour theory and colour psychology (hue, tints, tones, shades, the colour wheel, simultaneous contrast), and close with motif, background/
Subject at a glance
3
Units
18
Topics
3
Credits
3
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
3 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Texture
- line
- form and repeat
- figure and ground
- proportion
- balance — each studied in relation to nature and the design process
Line
Direction and movement
Form and shape
2D outline and 3D volume
Texture
How it feels or looks to feel
Colour
Hue, value, intensity
Space
Positive and negative areas
Study guide
This unit covers the basic elements of design: texture, line, form, repeat, figure and ground, proportion and balance, each studied in relation to nature and the design process. Collect examples of each element from nature and photograph them.
- Hue
- intensity and value
- saturated and de-saturated hues
- tints
- tones and shades
- the colour wheel
- simultaneous contrast
- change in hue/brilliance/luminosity
- using colour to evoke mood
Monochromatic
Tints and shades of one hue
Analogous
Neighbours on the wheel
Complementary
Opposites: red and green
Split complementary
A hue and two neighbours of its opposite
Triadic
Three equally spaced hues
Study guide
You study colour: hue, intensity and value, saturated and desaturated hues, tints, tones and shades, the colour wheel, simultaneous contrast and how colour evokes mood. Make a colour wheel and mood boards for different feelings.
- Motif development
- background and foreground relationships
- negative and positive space
- 1Source of inspiration
Nature, architecture, culture
- 2Observe and sketch
- 3Simplify and stylise
- 4Arrange into a repeat
Half-drop, brick, mirror
- 5Colour the design
Study guide
You study motif development, relationships between background and foreground and positive and negative space. Develop a motif from a natural object through several stages.
Why Elements of Design Matters
Design elements and colour theory are the language of every textile and fashion designer and show in everything from prints to product presentation.
How to Prepare for Elements of Design
- Sketch daily from nature and collect colour palettes from the world around you.
- Practise mixing colours and describing them using hue, value and intensity.
- Keep a design journal.
Elements of Design: Frequently Asked Questions
What are tints, tones and shades?
A tint is a hue mixed with white, a tone is a hue mixed with grey and a shade is a hue mixed with black.
What is a motif?
A motif is a single design unit that can be repeated to create a pattern.