ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Elements of design are “tools”.

Just like the carpenter has a
hammer and saw, the designer
has the elements.
There are 4 elements of design:
LINE, Form, Color, & Texture.
 Line: the extension of a point
Line delineates space, outlines form, and conveys a sense of
movement or direction. It can be straight or curved. Line can
express various feelings and emotions.

There are 4 basic

types of lines: Vertical
Horizontal

Diagonal Curved

Lines are derived from nature…

• Horizontal Lines: Solidity, stability, peaceful/restful,
harmonious, weighty, secure
Horizontal lines suggest a solid, harmonious relationship with the Earth; the
Earth's gravity has no further pull. This gives a stabilizing, peaceful
harmonious effect to window treatments. When found in a connecting
architectural detail such as molding, horizontal lines provide a smooth
transition between rooms or areas. If they lead to a focal point, they help to
emphasize it. When horizontal lines lead to a window, the eye stops at the
outside view or the beauty of the decorative window treatment.

Too many horizontal lines in an

interior may become boring and lack
visual interest. Horizontal lines
make a room appear wider or longer.
Vertical lines: dignified, stable, formal, imposing, strength
Vertical lines lift the eye upward and
suggest tallness or height. They have the
ability to lift the mind and the spirit as
well. As such, vertical lines are
purposeful tools for architects and
designers of churches and public
buildings because they inspire awe and
tend to diminish the significance of
human scale.
Vertical lines are stable because they
represent a perpendicular resistance to
Earth's gravity. They convey a feeling of
strength and dignity and are quite
appropriate in formal living areas, as well
as offices and public meeting and
performing spaces.
However, this formality can bring
stiffness or a commanding feeling to the
interior. Too many vertical lines can
cause a feeling of uneasiness, of too
much confinement and predictability.
People will feel they must pay more
attention and sit up straighter, which can
become tiresome.
• Diagonal Lines: Action, movement, interest, stability.

Diagonal lines are flexible because their

exact direction may vary from shallow to
steep angles. Diagonal lines generally
suggest movement, action or dynamism,
perhaps because diagonal lines are
associated with going places—up or
down a staircase or escalator, the taking
off or landing of an airplane, for example.
Diagonal lines are interesting,
possibly because the angles seem
to defy gravity and the eye and
mind are stimulated. Yet diagonal
lines also can be secure, such as
the reinforcing diagonals of a roof
truss system.
Too many diagonal lines,
particularly on a wall or at the
window, can be over stimulating,
compete with horizontal or vertical
lines and perhaps become
tiresome.
• Zigzag Lines: Exciting, lively, rhythmic movement.

Zigzag lines are short

diagonal lines that reverse
upon themselves and form
a regular or irregular
pattern. A zigzag line can be
one single line or several in
a set. A set of regular zigzag
lines is called a chevron or
herringbone pattern, and
irregular zigzag lines are
typically called a flamestitch
pattern.
Angular zigzag lines can
add energy and life to an
interior. If too many zigzag
lines are incorporated,
however, the effect can be
confusing, frenzied and
agitating.
Chevron or Herringbone Flamestitch
 Curved Lines: Soft, humanizing, gracefulness, joyful.
Curved or circular lines provide relief and softness to straight and angular
lines and balance the harshness of too many straight lines. Curved lines
give a human quality to interiors; they can be easy on the eyes and pleasing
to view. Tightly curved lines can add playfulness, frivolity, and zest.
A series of curved lines, such as an arcade (a procession of arches), gives a
rhythmic cadence to an interior, suggesting graceful movement. In
architectural components, round or elliptical segments (sections of circles
or ovals), such as archways and arched transoms or fanlights, provide
graceful dignity to interiors.

Generously curved lines are

viewed as feminine.
An excess of curved lines may
become too decorative and
consequently, visually demanding.
 Eclectic: a combination
Eclectic is a word that is used widely in the field of housing design. It
simply means “a combination”. When using line in design, it means that
several different types of line are present in significant amounts. The
designer must be careful not to combine the different types of line in a
manner that appears confusing or lacking in “taste”. One line will often be
planned to dominate in order to accomplish a desired effect.

Curved, horizontal, diagonal, and vertical lines are present. What do you think?

3. Select a sheet of colored
8x10” paper, and use it
horizontally or vertically.
4. Title your project:
Identifying Line in
Design
5. Add your name and
identify your design
object
6. Mount the pictures; you
may want to mat them
for neatness
7. Label each picture with
the type of line and one
or two words about the
effect of the line
8. Apply a border if desired
1. Select a specific design “object”.
This example uses a clock, so you
must choose something else. Perhaps
a window treatment, silverware
pattern, a table lamp, etc.
2. Find 4 colored magazine or catalog pictures
of your object that illustrate all 4 types of line…
making sure the line is part of the structure of
the object, not just the print on fabric.
By Your Name
Design Object: Clock
DIAGONAL LINE: Interesting
CURVED LINE:
Easy on the eyes;
pleasing to view
VERTICAL:
HORIZONTAL: Sturdy
Dignified
 By Your Name
Design Object: Clock

CURVED LINE:
Easy on the DIAGONAL LINE:
eyes; pleasing Interesting
to view

VERTICAL:
Dignified

HORIZONTAL: Sturdy
 1. Select a specific design material,
either wallpaper OR fabric.

2. Find 4 actual samples of your design material (not pictures), illustrating all
4 types of line. The line should not be part of the structure, but will be in the
actual print.
3. Select a sheet of colored 8x10” paper, and use it horizontally or vertically.
4. Title your project: Identifying Line in Design, add your name, and identify
your design material.
5. Mount the samples; you may want to mat them for neatness
6. Wallpaper samples
should be labeled with the
type of line AND the room By Your Name
Design Object: Interior Decorating
Fabric
of the house where you
would put this paper.
Fabric samples should be
Vertical print: the
labeled with the type of upholstery on the
sun porch furniture
line AND the specific room Curved print: design
on the sheets in a Diagonal print: used to
preschool girl’s
and item of furniture that room
cover throw pillows in the
family game room

would be adorned with this Horizontal print:

fabric (dining room chairs). seat cushions
on the kitchen
dinette

7. Apply a border if desired.

 By Your Name
Design Object: Interior Decorating Fabric

Vertical print: the upholstery

on the sun porch furniture
Curved print: design
on the sheets in a
preschool girl’s room

Diagonal print:
used to cover throw
Horizontal print: seat pillows in the family
cushions on the kitchen game room
dinette