DRESSMAKING

Lesson 2

Principles and Elements of Design

To create, recognize, or criticize dress design or any object of art, one must understand the basic
principles of design as well as its elements. To achieve effectively what is pleasing not just to the eyes of
the beholder but brings confidence and grace to our personality, the use of principles and elements of
design is aligned to the dresses we must be wearing. Understanding better the principles and elements of
design is a great factor that will contribute a lot to our personality development.

Art and design are the application of skill and taste that make a thing beautiful. It is a fact that our
clothes are worn for their artistic qualities which make us more attractive and confident. Clothes are worn
to emphasize the good points and hide the defects or imperfection of our physical trait.

Principles of Design

Good outfit should have proportion, balance, harmony, emphasis and rhythm to express art
principles. The law of area states that the division should be ½ and 2/3 of an area, and that equality in
proportion should always be avoided.

1. Proportion is the principle of art that refers to relative size. ... Most, if not all of the principles of art deal
with how the elements art are arranged in a work of art. Proportion is largely about the relationship of
the size of one element when compared to another

Proportion in art is the comparative harmonious relationship between two or more elements in a
composition with respect to size, color, quantity, degree, setting

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 COLUMN OF COLOR USING RULE OF THE THIRDS

Pictures showing proper proportion in dress

In choosing accessories, proportion should always be considered. For example, a woman with
large facial features would not choose a small bag or a small hat which will make her feature even larger,
or vice-versa.

There should be balance- either formal or Asymmetrical balance. The heavier weight must be placed
nearer the center. If there is proportion and balance in a dress, there is a feeling of harmony. There is
uniformity and order in the design, there is unity and similarity rather than contrast.

2. Balance is the feeling of rest and equilibrium. This is essential to the total design of a costume.

a. Formal or Symmetrical Balance is achieved when two sides of a design are

alike on either side of its vertical center. Balance in the use of color is
essential for a pleasing effect. The Law of Areas requires that the large areas
of color should be low in intensity. A small area of intense color will balance a
large area of dulled color. A very dark value such as black or charcoal gray
may be balanced by a small amount of pure white. Medium gray requires a
larger area of a pale gray to achieve balance.

b. Informal balance or Asymmetrical Balance is

achieved by using space, color, and the varying importance of objects
to produce a feeling of rest. It is more difficult to achieve than formal
balance, but it lends itself to more interesting arrangements. A

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 dress with side draping on the skirt might have a jeweled pin or a flower on the opposite side of the
bodice to produce informal balance.

c. Radial Balance When major parts of the garment design radiate from the
central part of the garment, creating a sunburst.

3. Harmony is the pleasing combination of hues, values, and intensities. The color wheel is presented so
that you will learn the arrangement and relationship of colors to the proper dress that is best for your
feature. Given as follows are illustrations of women wearing monochromatic harmony feature. Given as
follows are illustrations of women wearing monochromatic harmony.

Dress Design with Harmony

4. Emphasis means that one part of a design must be more important than the other parts. The eye
should go first to this part. A repetition of line or placement of color is applied to achieve emphasis. A
design which is too “busy” loses its point of emphasis and becomes confusing. Good design in dress
leads the eye to the most attractive feature of face or figure.

Dress Design with Emphasis

5. Rhythm is the movement of the eye from one part of the design to other parts. Repetition of a line or
shape is one of the most common ways of attaining rhythm. In clothing, curved lines tend to be more
rhythmic than straight lines because curved repeat the lines of the figure.

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 Dress Design with Rhythm

Rhythm could be depicted through:

a. Repetition- Rhythm could be achieved by repetition or regular recurrence of motifs of design,

shapes, buttons, tucks, pleats, laces, edgings, color, textures, fabric designs etc. This can be done
with all parts having the same shaped edges.

Dress Design with Rhythm by Repetition

b. Progression- Rhythm is also created by progression or by gradation. Gradation implies a gradual

increase or decrease of similar design elements. The gradual changes provide continuity while
giving a feeling of movement. Example: Colors can go from light to dark or textures from fine to
coarse or vice versa, shapes may range from small to large, and lines may range from thin to thick.

Dress Design with Rhythm by Progression

c. Transition- Transition is a fluid rhythm created when a curved line leads the eye over an angle. The
curved lines of transition cause the eye to change direction gradually rather than abruptly.
Transitional lines and shapes sweep and glide over the figure in an undulating rhythm leading the
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 eye gracefully and easily from one area or direction to another. They are found in dropped shoulder
designs, puff sleeves and cap sleeves, etc.

Dress Design with Transition

d. Radiation- Rhythm by radiation creates a feeling of movement in different directions. This

organized movement originates from a central point of gathers, folds, tucks, darts, pleats and lines.
Direction of radiation may be in a similar or one direction, opposing direction or both the directions,
several directions and all directions.

Dress Design with Rhythm by Radiation

e. Continuous line movement -This type of rhythm is obtained by flowing lines of trims, bands of
color, fabric designs etc., which make the eye move in a continuous line. This movement also
unifies the garment design bringing about harmony.

Dress Design with Rhythm by continues line movement

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

1. Line
The basic part of any design is formed by lines. The eye tends to follow the direction of the
line in a dress design or in the fabric of the dress. Lines may be horizontal, vertical, straight,
curved, diagonal, radiating, down sweeping, up-sweeping, or angular, and they are capable of
creating interesting illusions.

a. Horizontal – gives the impression of shorter and heavier.

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 b. Vertical – gives the impression of height.

Lines in dress
Within the design of a composition, there are three main groups of lines:
lines of repetition which follow each other, contrasting lines which go at opposite angles or in
different directions, and transitional lines which modify or soften contrasting lines. A curved line
between two opposing lines illustrates a transitional line. Lines of repetition create the closest
harmony, whereas contrasting lines create the least harmony, and transitional lines give a qualifying
effect which allow opposing lines to be used together with less startling effect.

2. Form
Form refers to the shape of an object as determined by line. In costume design the silhouette
is the term used to describe form which may repeat, may contrast, or be transitional. When the lines
of a dress repeat the form of the body too closely, they produce an uncomfortable, restricting effect.
At the other extreme, a silhouette which is completely opposed to the lines of the figure distorts
rather than enhances the total design. A design suggests the contours of the body.

Dress Design with Form

3. Texture
The surface quality of a fabric comprises its texture. It appeals strongly to the sense of touch,
whether it is coarse, fine, smooth, rough, wrinkled, sleek, glossy, slippery. Textures are affected by
weave, finishes, and the nature of the fibers and yarns used in weaving. Textures as well as lines can
create illusions, one must choose textures for clothes that will harmonize with the over-all design.

Texture affects color. A soft wool will give a quite different effect from the gloss and sheen of the
satin in the evening dress. Texture also affects the apparent size of the design. Bulky, rough fabrics
tend to increase the size of a design, whereas smooth fabrics decrease it. A rough texture also dulls
color, but a shiny, smooth texture intensifies the hue. Textures used together in a design should be
harmonious. Some contrast is desirable to add interest, but too great a contrast creates disunity. A
velvet skirt worn with a silk crepe blouse combines textures consistent in purpose. The same velvet
skirt worn with a cotton seer sucker blouse is unthinkable. Pig skin shoes and gloves worn with a
woolen suit create a pleasant costume. Patent leather accessories with an embossed cotton summer
dress make delightful accents in a harmonious costume.

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 Dresses showing Different Texture

4. Shape
Clothes reveal or disguise the natural body contour or shape. Choosing the right clothing shapes
will make the person more flattering. Wide, full shapes clothes will make you look larger while trim,
compact dress will make you look smaller. Straight, tubular shapes will make the wearer look taller while
fitted clothes will reveal the natural body contours.

Dresses showing shapes

5. Color
Color is light, and light contains within itself all the sun’s rays, and when it is broken into
wavelengths of light, a sensation is produced, upon the retina of the eye which is called color. The eye
responds to color the same as the ear responds to music. One’s reaction to color are both
physiological and psychological. The varying properties of color can, like skillful use of line and
proportion, make a large object appear smaller, or a small object seem larger. Some colors bring an
object nearer, and others make it seem farther away. Colors affect the emotions that is why sometimes
you do not realize what has made you cheerful, subdued or melancholy.

Color is a powerful element in our life. It has vibration, light and energy which affects us.

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Use of Color in Clothes

1. Black, dark tones or deeply grayed colors tend to make the figure appear smaller or slimmer than
bright or light colors.

2. A plain color makes the figure look slimmer than a combination of contrasting colors. A two-tone effect
broken across the figure makes it look shorter and broader. A lengthwise contrast helps to give an
illusion of slenderness. Large prints or plaids may make the figure appear large or heavier.

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3. A very small figure should not wear over large designs in prints, plaids, or stripes; the person with a
large figure should avoid them as well as a too-dainty design. This type should choose motifs that are
moderate and avoid the conspicuous or too sharply designed.

4. A very small figure should not wear over large designs in prints, plaids, or stripes; the person with a
large figure should avoid them as well as a too-dainty design. This type should choose motifs that are
moderate and avoid the conspicuous or too sharply designed.

5. Contrast and accent should be done with care. A little accent, perhaps a touch of red on many blues at
the throat or shoulder is smarter than a repeated accent. If you have a particular figure problem, such
as large bust or hips, place your color contrast in such a way that it draws away the eye and
emphasize a good point.

The simplest harmony is the dominant harmony. It is a harmony of two or more tones of one
color or a harmony in which one color pervades such as tints and shades of brown, tints and shades of
green. They are found in nature.

Analogous harmony is a harmony of two or more colors alike in some ways but different in
others. It is based on the contrast in value. Examples are red, redviolet, and violet.

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 A contrasting harmony is a combination of two colors which are different in hue and which
require a third color to bring them together. It is the hardest color to combine. Examples are sage-
green, cream, rose and black, black or gold, grayblue, red with black or gold

BELOW IS A COCKTAIL DRESS COLOR WHEEL CONSISTING OF

TWELVE COLORS WITH COMPLEMENTARY ACCESSORIES WHICH WILL GIVE YOU AN
IDEA TO MAKE SUCCESSFUL CHOICE OF COLOR.

APPLY PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN IN CREATING GARMENT DESIGN

Isaac Newton in 1666, and has been used in the decorative arts ever since. From painting and
landscaping to fashion and home décor, you can use the color wheel to determine which colors “go
together” in any of your projects. It’s a fun, easy way to breathe new life into your old favorites.
How can you do that?

The three primary colors are red, blue and yellow. Primary colors all go together…

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 When you mix them with each other, you get orange, green, and violet, which are referred to as
Secondary Color.

When you mix the three-secondary color with the three primary colors, you get six Tertiary Color or
Intermediate Colors, which are lighter variations of the secondary colors.

COLOR SCHEME
A. Related Colors
1. Monochromatic Harmony- One color of different shade

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 2. Analogous Harmony
Three neighboring colors, one of which is dominant or Colors that sit next to each other on the color
wheel are called Analogous Colors.

B. Contrasting Colors
1. Complementary Colors opposite each other in the color wheel. Each secondary color sits directly
opposite a primary color on the color wheel. That opposite relationship is called Complementary
Color.

2. Double Complementary- Two neighboring colors and their opposite colors

3. Split complementary color scheme is one where a primary color is used with the two analogous colors
to its complement. In this case, blue is matched up with yellow and orange red. Orange is the direct
complement to blue and orange red and yellow are the analogs to orange.

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 3. Triad- The color in between three spaces in color wheel

These twelve basic Colors are called “Hues”. You can darken them with black (“Shade”) mute them
with gray(“tone”), or lighten them with white (“tint”) to get the different variations of the same color.

So how does this translate to clothes?

You can wear black or white with any hue on the color wheel. That is why black and white is often
combined since they are so versatile. But if you take the tint very light or the shade or tone very dark, it
becomes harder to combine them with black and white.

Classifications of Colors

According to some fashion designers, in wearing appropriate dress, we should consider the Law of the
Dressing Scheme which emphasizes the harmonious combination of colors in costumes and the
becomingness of the colors in bringing out the charm of the eyes, hair, and skin tone of the wearer.

To bring out the best in our personality, the color of the eyes, hair and complexion should always be
considered. This determines that white complexioned prefers the light colors, green is the best color and
tints of orange, blue, and red creamy, and white. Avoid brown, yellow and purple. Fair complexioned can
wear light or dark colors but should avoid medium values.

Colors which harmonizes with the hair and eyes are becoming like old rose, deep reds, yellow gold.
Avoid gray, blue gray, light and dark blue and olive green. Pale faced should avoid brilliant colors. Yellow
complexion needs light tan and natural color and dark complexion can wear broken orange which adds life

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 and personality. Purple is hard to wear because it gives the complexion a muddy appearance especially
for the young girls but suitable for the gowns of older women.

Neutral and bright colors emphasize age, size, feature, and complexion and should be selected carefully.
Light colors express gaiety and daintiness while dark ones give force and dignity.

Types of Design

In clothing, the best structural design follows the natural body lines. Decorative design gives emphasis
to certain areas. Fact is when we attempt to clarify our figure types, we realize that only few has the perfect
or in average figure type. The tall, thin girl seemed to be the ideal fashion figure nowadays. But no matter
what figure type we may have, the lines of our figure will determine what designs are most appropriate for
us.
In determining whether or not some new fashion is suitable for you, consider carefully the design of the
garment. Do not wear a garment that does not suit your personality. The color must be appropriate to your
skin tone as well as to the kind of occasion. Understand and apply the design properly, in this manner you
will confidently be a well-dressed person.

a. Structural Design are formed by the arrangement of lines, forms, colors, and textures. If these four
elements are carefully arranged and applied on the materials used, they will create beauty to the
finished garment. In a garment of solid-colored fabric, its structural design is its silhouette, neckline,
placement of the waistline, sleeves, length, and location and fitting of darts and tucks.

Dress with Structural Design

b. Decorative Design refers to the surface enrichments of a structural design. Its decorative design may
consist of unusual buttons, a belt buckle, a contrasting collar and cuffs.

Dress with decorative design

Structural design is far more important than decorative design since every garment has it, while
decorative design may or may not be added. Simplicity is the keynote to beauty. In a good design there
should be balance, harmony, rhythm, proportion and emphasis. Their elements are line, form,
texture, color and shape.

Reference:

Judee L. Cabilin, et.al. TLE-HE-Dressmaking Quarter1-Module 1. Department of Education –Region VII

Schools Division of Negros Oriental. 2020

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