NDID 1102: Principle and element of Interior Design

Sri Lanka National Design Institute (SLNDI)

Study guide, definitions, and notes

Elements of Design – ‘Line’

 The outline of an object.

 Two points are connected.
 They give direction and divide space.

Characteristics of lines.
Width – Thick, Thin, Tapering, Uneven

Length – Long, Short, Continuous, Broken

Direction – Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal, Curve, Zigzag

Focus – Sharp, Blurry, Fuzzy, Choppy

Feeling – Bright, Jagged, Graceful, Smooth

Vertical lines.
 Vertical lines lead the eye up, adding height, formality, and strength to a design.
 Can be seen in - Tall furniture

- Columns / Pillars

- Striped wallpaper

 Vertical lines can make feeling of power dignity, masculinity, height.

 Vertical lines can make rooms seems more spacious and grandiose than they are, and
ceilings appear higher.
 The decorative wall, glass window, blinds, curtains, etc. give rise to verticality.

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Horizontal lines.
 Horizontal lines lead the eye to the left or right, suggesting informality and giving a sense of
calmness, peace, gentleness, and gravity.

 Can be seen in: - Long, Low roofs

- Long, Low furniture pieces

- Ceiling

- Floors

 Horizontal lines can make feeling sturdy, calm, restful.

 Horizontal lines can make buildings, rooms, and furniture seem wider and shorter.
 The length of this room and the use of the furniture is a great example of the predominant
horizontal line.
 Horizontal lines can make buildings, rooms, and furniture seem calm, peaceful, gentle,
gravity, and restfulness.

Diagonal lines.
 Diagonal lines suggest action, movement, and excitement.
 Can be seen in: - Staircases

- Ceilings

- Floors

- Curtains

- Wallpapers

- Gable roofs

 Diagonal lines can create activity and motion.

 Diagonal lines look more powerful and create a sense of activeness, so they should be used
carefully and sparingly in design.
 It is created activeness and excitement.

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Curved lines.
 Curved lines represent freedom, natural flow, the appearance of softness, a soothing
feeling, femininity to curved lines create a busy look.
 Can be seen in: - Staircases, Handrails

- Doorway, Arches

- Ruffled curtains

- Curved furniture

- Featured walls

 Curved lines can soften objects.

 Curved lines create softness, femininity, rhythm, graceful effect, and a sense of relaxation
for designs.

Lines and contrast.

 In design, one type of line should dominate the theme.
 Other can be added for braking of uniformity as interest.
 For example, if horizontal lines dominate a staircase, accessories with diagonal or curved
lines could be added to improve the gracefulness.

Lines and movement.

 Lines also can create active, live feelings on our eyesight.
 With your direct look at these curve lines, you will feel the action movement of these lines.