Interior Design

The 6 Elements of Design

 Objectives

• Identify the six elements of design and how

they are used in Interior Design.
• Build vocabulary in order to use professional
language.
• Use critical thinking to identify what affect
different elements of design have on
interior spaces.
The six elements of design
are:
Space
Line
Form
Texture
Pattern
Color
 (1) Space
• Space is the area in
which a design is
created
• The height, length, and
width
• Interior designers can
utilize space, create a
feeling and create the
illusion of space.
 Space can also be Positive
or Negative

• Positive space
• An area of a composition
that a subject occupies.
• Negative space
• An area of a composition
that is not occupied by a
subject.
 Space
• Negative space:
• Triangle space of
the blank wall
• Positive space:
• Triangle space
created by the
grouping of
pictures on the
wall
Group Question 1: Space
Describe the positive space and the negative
space in this photo. What do you see?
 (2) Line
• An extension of a point,
elongated mark,
connection between two
points, the effect of
the edge of an object
• Line establishes shape
and form
• Suggests movement
• Leads or moves the eye
around the room
Types of Lines

• Vertical
• Horizontal
• Diagonal
• Straight
• Curved
 Horizontal lines-
are relaxed, restful
and casual.

Vertical lines-
suggest formality
and dignity
 Diagonal lines-
create a sense of drama
bring energy into a space

Curved lines-
add interest and relief
Curved lines considered to Straight lines are
be feminine considered to be masculine
Group Question 2: Line
Is there a horizontal line in this room?
If yes, Where? Is there a Vertical line in
this room? If yes, Where?
 (3) Shape/Form
• Shape is a 2D space
defined by edges.
• Square, Circle, Triangle
• Form is a 3D space
defined by edges
• Cube, Sphere, Cone
• Rectangles are most
often the dominant
shape in a room
Squares suggest a rational,
stable form with no direction
Triangles are stable,
but dynamic shapes

Circles imply unity and

completeness
Group Question 3: Form
Describe the form in the center of this
space and the shapes that are used.
How does this form make the space feel?
 (4) Texture
• The surface of an object, its
smoothness or roughness
• There are three categories of
texture:
• Visual-The appearance
of a surface
• Tactile- the feel of a
surface
• Audible- the sound a
surface makes when
rubbed
 Texture
• Heavily textured, rough
surfaces
• absorb more light
• more casual feeling
• Look darker
• absorb sound
• Smooth and shiny surfaces
• are more formal
• appear to be lighter
• reflect light
Group Question 4: Texture
What is the texture?
How does it: Look, Feel, Sound

1 2 3
 (5) Pattern
• Pattern is the
repetition of a
decorative motif on a
surface
• Related to visual
texture
• Pattern can create
optical illusions in an
interior space
 Pattern
When using several
patterns
•The size of the pattern
should fit the size of the
object it is on or space it
is in.
•Patterns should have an
element that unites them
Group Question 5: Pattern
Which of these patterns is not like the
others? Draw a picture of it.
 Color
• Color is the light
reflected off an
object
• Color is one of the
most powerful tools
• People associate
specific colors with
emotions and meanings
• These associations are
based on culture and
experiences
 Things that affect Color
• Texture
• Rough textures look
darker
• Smooth textures look
lighter
• Area
• Smaller area appears
less intense
• Larger area appears
more intense
• Light
• Amount of light
• quality of light
 Color cont.

• High lighting
levels can
intensify a hue or
wash it out
• Colors look
different in
daylight than they
do in artificial
light
Group Question 6: Color
What emotions do these colors
make you think of?

Blue Purple

Red Yellow

Green Orange
The six elements of design
are:
Space
Line
Form
Texture
Pattern
Color