THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF DESIGN OF FABRICS

THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

The basic elements of designs are

Table of Contents

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.

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.

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