JACQUELINE MAZIWA ASSESSMENT 1 : THE ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF

DESIGN 1

The Elements and Principles of Design

The elements and principles of design lay at the core of any design process, more so the

interior design. Elements and principles of design help space to be better understood and connect

with an individual’s reality. Narrowing down to a specific case, the interior of the Rose Seidler

House can be better understood by looking at line and balance.

Line serves as the most influential and the most crucial element of design (Totten, 2018).

Line plays an essential role in bringing forth shape, form, texture, and pattern. Whether vertical,

diagonal, horizontal, or curved, lines can be used as a powerful tool to capture the attention of

the viewer towards the point of interest in a design. In picture 1 of the Rose Seidler House,

curved lines have been used in the right interior walls to bring out a soft reality. Often, curved
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lines are perceived to bring out a relaxing, soft, soothing, and settling sense (Etfaiha, 2010). The

presence of two chairs in the room indicate that the curved lines match with their intended

purposes. Horizontal lines have been used on the floor, resembling permanency, restfulness, and

stability. The multiple horizontal lines on the floor create a rhythm and drama and can be the key

interest for an individual facing away from the detailed right wall illustrated in Picture 1.

Balance is a principle used to express the visual weight of a particular design (Bonswetch

et al., 2006). Balance can be applied to unite or create division in a design. However, neither of

the two applications is inferior to the other provided it meets the intended outcome. Balance can

be achieved through symmetry, asymmetry, and radial symmetry (Kennedy, 2019). In picture 1

of the Rose Seidler House, the design uses asymmetry to achieve balance by applying

contrasting elements. For instance, the right wall is vibrant with curved lines and colors but is

counterbalanced by the left side of the room, which is partly a plain glass wall and an entrance.

To sum up, line and balance have been proficiently used in picture 1 of the Rose Seidler House

to bring out a soft, soothing and settling sense, rhythm and drama, and a new division in balance.
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References

Bell, S. (2013). Elements of visual design in the landscape. Routledge.

Bonswetch, T., Kobel, D., Gramazio, F., & Kohler, M. (2006). The informed wall: applying

additive digital fabrication techniques on architecture.

Chapman, C. (2019). The Principles of Design and their Importance. Retrieved from:

https://www.toptal.com/designers/ui/principles-of-design

Etfaiha, D. (2010). Six Elements of Design for Striking Photographs. Retrieved from:

https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/6-elements-of-design-for-striking-

photographs--photo-2574

Foraboschi, P. (2016). The central role played by structural design in enabling the construction

of buildings that advanced and revolutionized architecture. Construction and Building

Materials, 114, 956-976.

Kennedy, M. (2019). How to use the 7 Principles of Art and Design in Photography. Retrieved

from: https://expertphotography.com/principles-of-design-photography/

Totten, C. W. (2018). An architectural approach to level design. AK Peters/CRC Press.