DESIGN ELEMENTS AND

PRINCIPLES
Harmony Kapp & Andrea Wenzl

LINE

Line determines the

silhouette of the garment
and the shapes formed
within the garment.
This shirts shape is square
with straight smooth lines.
It also has a focal point in
the logo.

COLOR

Color is the visual

perception of certain
wavelengths of light.
This skater skirts mustard
color pops with any top
paired with it. Its warm
color is visually pleasing,
especially in the fall.

TEXTURE

Texture describes the

surface or hand of a fabric.
It can apply to a
combination of the fabrics
characteristics: fiber, yarn,
construction, weight, and
finish.
This black leather skirt has
a shiny finish with a soft
hand. The shiny surface
reflects light, making the
figure look larger.

PATTERN

Patterns can be created by

the texture of the fabric;
they can be applied to the
fabric through printing,
embossing, and other
specialty techniques such as
devore or laser cutting.
This dress has an Aztec
inspired pattern. The
pattern provides horizontal
movement in the garment.

SILHOUETTE

Silhouette is the outline or

shape of a garment.
This dress has an H
silhouette since it is straight
and form fitting. When
worn, the dress gives an
hourglass shape with a focal
point in the peak-a-boo
neckline. The pattern is
symmetrical and has
balance.

SHAPE

The use of shape is an

important tool for achieving
harmony within the
garment.
This collared dress has an
hourglass shape given from
the cinch tied waist. This
adds styling interest to the
silhouette of the garment
and helps it give shape in
the fit.

PROPORTION

Proportion is the
relationship or scale of all
the parts of a garment or
ensemble to each other and
to the body as a whole.
This drop waist dress has
unequal proportion. This
makes ones torso appear
longer. The horizontal seam
divides the dress into two
sections.

BALANCE

Balance refers to whether a

garment is symmetrical or
asymmetrical when a
silhouette is divided
vertically down the middle.
In a balanced garment, the
right and left sides of the
body appear to be even.
This sweater dress has a V
chevron pattern and is
symmetrical since it is the
same on each side.

EMPHASIS OR FOCAL POINT

Emphasis or focal point is

the first place on the
garment to which the eye is
drawn. It may be created
through a convergence of
lines, a combination of
colors, or a detail.
This razorback tanks focal
point is the white trim
which catches the eye with
a symmetrical use of line.
This top is unique in that
there could also be a second
focal point. The navy trim at
the bottom catches the

RHYTHM

Rhythm is the organized

movement of the eye
through the related
elements of a garment.
Rhythm can be achieved by
strong silhouette lines;
through the use of color,
line or shape; and through
the use of repetition,
radiation, and gradation.
The eye moves from each
tier of lace on this skirt. The
repetition of pattern on the
skirt yields for nice rhythm.

HARMONY OR UNITY

Harmony refers to the way

in which all of the design
elements in a garment work
together to produce a
pleasing aesthetic
appearance and to give a
feeling of unity to the
design.
This dress has harmony
throughout the garment,
including the vertical lines,
pattern, color use, and
balance. This piece is
pleasing to the eye and has
unity throughout.