Elements and Principles of Interior Design

Elements of Design

Principes of Design

Elements of Design

Shape & FOrm

COlor

Texture

LINE

Pattern

Light

Space

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Line

Living room

Types of Line

• Separate or unify space, outline form, and convey a sense of movement or directions

• Can be long, short, thick, or thin

4 types of Line:

• Vertical
• Horizontal
• Diagonal
• Curved

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Shape & Form

Shape

• The external outline of a structure or figure
• On your paper, draw a 2D shape

Form

• The shape and structure of solid objects
• Height, width, and depth
• With your playdough, create a 3D form

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Texture

Living room

Texture can add variety & interest to a room. Texture affects the way light reflects off of objects and therefore affects the perceived color of an object. Texture is visual (appearance of the surface), tactile (feel of a surface), and audible (sound it makes when rubbed).

Types of Texture:

Formal (SMOOTH) Texture - Velvet and detailed curtains suggest luxury. Glass, metal & polished stone look clean and professional Informal (ROUGH) Texture - Plush carpet & Furniture provide a sense of comfort. Stone, weathered wood, and rusted metal.

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Color Combination

Living room

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Space

Living room

Negative Space

Positive Space

• Positive space means that an object is filling the space.
• Too much positive space can make a person feel overwhelmed.

• Negative space is needed to move around, but too much empty space can make a person feel lonely and uncomfortable

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Pattern

Living room

• Is created through the use of space, line, shape, color, and design to create visual intere

Types of Pattern

Geometric: Made up of geometric shapes or stripes

Abstract: Inspiration for the design is not recognizable

Conventional or Stylized: Uses designs from nature in a simplified or adapted way

Naturalistic or Realistic: Reproduces a motif from nature in its natural form. Often look photographic

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Light

Living room

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Principles of Design

Scale & Proportion

Balance

Rhythm

Emphasis

Harmony

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Elements of Design

Shape & FOrm

COlor

Texture

LINE

Pattern

Light

Space

Scale & Proportion

Proportion

• The ratio of one part to another or to the whole
• For Example: The parts of a chair (arms, legs, back, and seat) should be proportional to each other and to the chair as a whole

Scale

• The relative size of an object in relation to other objects
• For Example: a picture frame can be too big, too little or just right

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Balance

Symmetrical Balance (Formal)

• Placing similar or identical items on either side of a central axis to create a sense of structure and organization. However too much symmetry can make a space feel static or predictable
• Click on the icons to view examples:

Asymmetrical Balance (Informal)

• Visual weights are equal but elements are different in size, form, color, pattern, and spacing
• More lasting appeal
• Click on the icons to view examples:

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Rhythm

• Ways to move your eye smoothly from one place to another

Repetition: Repeating color, line, form, or texture Gradation: A gradual change in form, size, or color Radiation: When lines move out from a central point Opposition: Direct Contrast

Types of Rhythm

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Harmony

• Harmony is achieved when unity and variety are effectively combined

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Emphasis

• The center of interest or attention

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