ELEMENTS OF

DESIGNS
 Elements of Design
Elements of design are the basic parts or qualities that are used in
the design process (Amenuke et al, 1999). The four basic ingredients
or elements of design used in fashion are shape or silhouette, line,
colour and texture.
1. Line – it creates a visual
dimension of length and width. When
lines meet, space is enclosed and a
shape is defined. Lines direct the eyes
to a certain path of vision, or could
draw the eyes away from an
undesirable area of the body.

Line refers to edge or the outline of a

garment and the style line that divide
the space within a garment. Line can
create visual illusion if used skillfully
(Tate, 1998).
Basically, straight and curved lines are
used in designing styles for clothing. A
straight line can be vertical, horizontal or
diagonal.

According to Vanderhoff, lines have

direction, width, and length. Direction can
be vertical, horizontal, diagonal or curved,
movement of the eye of an observer
around and through an image (Nateman,
1994).
A diagonal line normally slants
from one side to the other and it tends to
increase or decrease in width, height and
the direction to the height of the figure.
If it is fairly short and fairly sharp, it
decreases the width. If it is fairly flat it
adds width to the top of the figure.
Examples of diagonal lines used in
fashion designing are: flared skirts,
jacket, lapel collar, neckline, bell-bottom
trousers, yokes, cowl-neck, etc.
Curved lines vary from gentle curves
to full rounded and twisted lines. Tate
(2003) states that a gentle curve is
feminine.

Vanderhoff confirmed the above by

saying that curved lines tend to add
softness and femininity to a design.

A curved line that is controlled is gentle,

flowing and graceful. Curved lines may be
used decoratively such as scalloped edges.
 In designing, high curves suggest greater
height than lower curves. Basically, curved
lines are either rounded or somewhat flattened
out.
The flattened out curves are often
considered more flattering to the human shape
than rounded lines.
A curved line also adds fullness and
roundness in a design sketch, when it is used in
illustrating folds or gathers (Vanderhoff).
 
 There are two kinds of Lines in
a garment
a. The directional line such as vertical,
horizontal, diagonal, checkered, broken
and curved. These affect the height and
size of an individual. Lines are serving
as clothing designs like the art of
printing flowers, dots and others on
fabric.
b. Structural lines are found on necklines,
armholes, hemlines, darts, side seams,
sleeves, collars, tucks and pleats of
garments.
2. Color – it is a radiant energy
loosely termed light that
produces sensation in our eyes.
The color of the dress easily
attracts the client’s attention and
becomes her basis in choosing
her apparel.
 Color creates the most visual impact when seen from a distance, it is the
most influential element that contribute to the overall nature of the garment.
(Burke, 2011). There are no fixed rules about flattering color.

Color has personal values therefore personal preferences for certain colors
will affect an individual’s choice. It is possible to wear all colors if one knows
how to use them wisely. Color can affect and reflect the way people feel.

Warm colors such as bright red, oranges and purples are stimulating and
exciting colors which can make people feel happy (Faiola, et al, 1982). Soft
colors such as blues, greens and white suggest coolness and calmness. Black
and greys have a depressing effect.
a. Hue – it is the other name for color. It is the particular shade of color that
differentiates one from another.
 
1. Primary colors are red, blue and yellow. They are the basic colors where
different colors originated.
2. Secondary colors are combinations of primary colors such as yellow and
blue produces, green, red and blue produces violet, red and yellow produces
orange.
3. Tertiary colors stem from the combination of primary and secondary colors.
4. Neutral colors are the white, black and gray and are predominantly grayish
and brownish.
  
Value is the lightness or darkness of color. White added to a color
will produce tints. Black added to a color will produce shades.
 
 Basic Psychological Effects of Colors on People
White - makes us feel clean and fresh. It connotes innocence and purity.
Red - makes us feel bold and daring. It connotes passion and bravery.
Yellow - makes us feel joyful. It also connotes cowardice and treachery.
Blue - represents truth, loyalty, calmness and wisdom. Deep blue could
also make us feel depressed.
Green - suggests abundance as this is the color of plants, but green could
also suggest jealousy.
Purple - is the color of royalty, but it could symbolize suffering.
Orange - is a warm color but suggests deliciousness and ripeness.
Eateries, especially fastfoods, use orange with a touch of green
to stimulate appetite.
Black - suggests strength and dignity and is usually worn for formal
evening affairs. It also symbolizes mourning and death
Space – it is the area inside an enclosed shape. The use of space can
lead to an interesting design, but the overuse of a space could make
the design too “busy”, while an empty space could be unattractive.
 
1. Form or shape – it refers to the form of a person which shows the curves of
the body, this includes the shape of the face, neckline and the full body or
figure.
a. Shapes of faces. There are different shapes
of faces and these are :
1. Oval – all kinds of neckline are becoming
to this shape
2. Round – this resembles the shape of the
moon where neckline should be given more
considerations.
3. Triangle – the use of wider neckline is
helpful
4. Square – close necklines will do justice to
the top shape of the face.
5. Heart shape – the shape is fitting to almost
all kinds of necklines.
a. Shapes of necklines. Necklines
emphasize the shape of the face. In
choosing the neckline for a garment,
consider the shape of the face.
1. A combination of vertical and horizontal
lines produces a square necklines.
2. Diagonal lines produce V- necklines.
3. A curve line produces round necklines.
4. A horizontal line produces Sabrina, Boat
or Bateau necklines.
5. A combination of vertical and curve lines
produces U-shaped necklines.
6. Curve lines produce scallop necklines.
 
1. Color – it is a radiant energy loosely termed light that produces sensation in our eyes.
2. Line – it creates a visual dimension of length and width.
3. Hue – it is the other name for color. It is the particular shade of color that differentiates one from another.
4. high curves suggest greater height than lower curves. Basically, curved lines are either rounded or somewhat
flattened out.
5. flattened out curves are often considered more flattering to the human shape than rounded lines
6. Value is the lightness or darkness of color.
7. White - makes us feel clean and fresh. It connotes innocence and purity.
8. Red - makes us feel bold and daring. It connotes passion and bravery.
9. Yellow - makes us feel joyful. It also connotes cowardice and treachery.
10. Blue - represents truth, loyalty, calmness and wisdom. Deep blue could also make us feel depressed.
11. Green - suggests abundance as this is the color of plants, but green could also suggest jealousy.
12 – 15 The four basic ingredients or elements of design used in fashion are shape or silhouette, line, colour and
texture.
•Body Shapes or Figures. It refers to the overall structure of the body.
This may be of any combined qualities in height, size and shape.

1. Tall, narrow rectangular or column. This body type is favored by

fashion designers as models with this figure make clothes look great.

Features:
o Tall
o Narrow frame
o Small bust
o High, but undefined waist
o Slim hips
o Flat bottom
o Long slim legs
o Long slim arms
2. Hourglass. It is a feminine well-balanced and
proportion, with a defined waist between a full
bust and hips.

Features:
Full bust
Narrow waist
Full hips
Round bottom
3. Top-heavy Triangle. This shape applies to those
with who are top heavy, with width in the upper part of
the body and narrowest hips, creating a triangular-
shaped figure.

Features:
o Wide shoulders
o Full bust
o Undefined waist
o Slim hips
o Slim legs
4. Bottom-heavy triangle (the classic pear-shape). The
pear-shape appear to carry too much weight on the hip,
with the top half of the body small in comparison with the
lower half.

Features:
o Narrow shoulders
o Small bust
o Narrow waist
o Full hips
o Round bottom
o Heavy thighs
5. Circle (Apple). This silhouette has all the emphasis
in the middle of the body, with extra weight being
carried at the waistline.

Features:
o Narrow shoulders
o Full bust
o Large tummy
o Flat bottom
o Slim legs
6. Oval. Generally taller than the apple and pear
figures. The extra height makes the oval shape to
conceal.

Features:
Tall
Narrow shoulders
Small bust
Thick waist
Average hips
Slim legs
 4. TEXTURE – is the feel (softness,
roughness, and crispness),
appearance (shininess, dullness) and
weight (lightweight, heavyweight,
medium weight) of a fabric.

Two types of texture

1. Tactile – texture that can be felt by

touch (rough, prickly)

2. Visual – Texture that can be seen

(shiny, dull, matte)
 DESIGN FOR DIFFERENT FIGURES
Short Thin
 
Becoming Design
 Princess lines
 Full Length Coats
 Shorts and bolero Jackets
 Narrow, matching belts
 Skirt with knife pleats, easy gores
 Delicate dainty fabric
 
Unbecoming Design
 Clinging styles and fabrics
 Large prints
 Large accessories
 Long Waistline
THANK YOU!