principles of design

• Proportion states that relations between parts of the same thing or between different things of the same group should be satisfying
• Proportion involves ratios and quantitative comparisons of parts of a design to each other and of parts to the whole
• Proportion deals with relationships in size, color, light, texture, and pattern
• In Interior Design, proportion involves estimation and judgment of a creative designer because all objects and the space must relate to each other and to the human scale
• The Greeks formulated rules based on the proportions of the human body due to their sensitivity to fine relations in space
• In Interior Design, the Square is the least pleasing while the Rectangle is the most pleasing for an enclosure
• Scales in architecture usually originate from human traits and serve as the tangible and visible expression of fear or aspiration
• Monumental Scale:

  • Enormous scale used in architecture
  • Represents human ego, devotion, security, and elegance
• Preferred proportions in design:

  • Uneven numbers are more interesting than even ones
  • In 3-dimensional design, the 5, 7, 11 proportion is preferred to the cube
  • Diversity in spatial relations is preferred over uniform regularity
• The Golden Section:

  • Used by the Greeks and considered a model of good proportion
  • Created by using a simple line as the mean between two other lines to form a rectangle
  • Basis for temple plans, composition of vases, and construction of sculpture
• In interior design, the Square is the least pleasing while the Rectangle is the most pleasing for an enclosure
• Diminutive Scale:

  • Focuses on special appeal, combining childhood wistfulness and protectiveness for small things
• The principle of repetition is the use of consistent patterns throughout a design to create unity and coherence.
• The principle of contrast involves creating visual interest through differences in size, shape, color, texture, or value within a design.
• Scales as Symbol - Diminutive Scale


  Focuses on its special appeal, a combination of childhood wistfulness & protectiveness for small things.
• Scale as Perception


  Scale is perceived as expression of the philosophy of an artist.
• Scale as Emphasis


  • Scale is used to attract attention & give dramatic emphasis.
• EMPHASIS


  Suggests giving proper significance to each part & to a whole calling more attention to the important parts Involves focal points, rest areas, & progressive degrees of interest in between. In Interior Design, rooms in which attention is directed toward a few important elements are usually more livable.
• Ways to Achieve Emphasis - Emphasis by Location


  This is the automatic center of attention & therefore the place where the most important figure should appear, appear, or where the action should take place.
• Ways to Achieve Emphasis - Emphasis through Drama 


  Uses emotional quality with other elements such as color, lighting, location etc. as means of expression to hold attention.
• Ways to Achieve Emphasis - Emphasis through Light


  Employs light as means to emphasis in their works.
• Levels of Emphasis:

  • Emphatic: view of the outdoors through a window wall
  • Dominant: Fireplace, or one important painting
  • Subdominant: major furniture group, ceiling treatment, other paintings & sculptures
  • Subordinate: floor, walls, accessories
  • Subdued Emphasis: Emphasis on a supporting part played in a memorable manner
• Harmony:

  • Results from Unity & Variety combining
  • Carrying through a single unifying theme that consistently relates the various components of an interior
• Aspects of Harmony:

  • Line & Shape: combination of lines result in shapes, establishing harmony
  • Size: proportion & scale related to harmonious or consistent sizes
  • Texture: visual weight plays a role in employing harmony with texture
  • Color: effective use of color or combination of colors for desired effect
  • Harmony of Ideas: concept or motif within the design or composition is important
• Unity:

  • Achieved by repetition, similarity, or congruence of parts in a composition
  • One particular component essential for relating parts & harmonizing elements into a total composition
• Variety:

  • Brings vitality, diversity & stimulation to design
• Ways to Achieve Unity:

  • Opposition & Transition
  • Unity through Color
  • Unity through Value
  • Unity through Line
  • Unity through Shape
  • Unity through Repetition
• Balance:

  • Involves actual equilibrium & physical stability of an object
• Categories of Balance:

  • Structural Balance
  • Visual Balance
• Types of Structural Balance:

  • Horizontal Balance
• Visual Balance:

  • Symmetrical Balance:
  • Correspondence in size, shape & relative position on opposite sides of an imaginary dividing line
  • Symbolizes stability & security, tends to stress the center, creating a logical focal point
• Visual Balance:

  • Asymmetrical Balance:
  • Results when visual weights are equal but not identical
  • Also referred to as informal, active, or Occult Balance
• Visual Balance:

  • Radial Balance:
  • Repetition of the pattern from the center
• Rhythm:

  • Defined as continuity, recurrence, or organized movement of recurring or developing patterns into a connected whole
  • Grouping of related elements causing the eye to naturally flow from one element to another in an organized manner
• Primary Methods of Developing Rhythm:

  • Repetition
  • Progression
  • Continuous
  • Contrast
• Varieties of Rhythm:

  • Metric Rhythm: regular repeated pulsations
  • Flowing Rhythm: undulates above the beat to sway & ebb like the flow of water
  • Swirling Rhythm: periodic pulsation establishes a basic pattern, eddies & surges in circular motion
  • Climactic Rhythm: grows in volume & intensity leading to a resounding climax