Principles of design

Whether design elements are used successfully depends on their relationship to one another within the garment. A design principle serves as guidelines for combining elements. Designers may not consciously think of these principles as they work, but when something is wrong with a design, they are able to analyse the problem in terms of proportion, balance, repetition and emphasis to create a harmonious design. These principles are flexible, always interpreted within the context of current fashion trends. Design principles:

1. Proportion: Proportion is simply the pleasing interrelationship of the size of all parts of the garment. when conceiving a style, the designer must consider how the silhouette is to be divided with line of construction or detail. these lines create new spaces, which must relate in a pleasing way. generally unequal proportion is more interesting than equal proportion. many mathematical formulas have been proposed as guideline, but the best results come from practice in observance. standards of proportion change with the fashion cycle along with the evolution in silhouette and line.


2. Balance: Balance refers to the “visual weight” in design, a garment must be balanced to be visually pleasing. two factors are considered in balance, a. symmetrical balance and b. asymmetrical balance.


3. Repetition: The use of repetition is one of the most helpful guideline in designing. a design line, shape or detail repeated in another area of the garment helps to carry the theme throughout the whole design. in dress design for example a V neck might be repeated upside down in bodice seaming or in inverted pleat in the skirt. soft gathers at the neck could be repeated at the hip to unify the design.


4. Emphasis: Emphasis or center of interest, draws attention to the focal point of a garment. a center of interest must create more visual attraction than any other design element. it can be achieved by colour accents, significant shapes or details, lines coming together, groups of detail or contrast.


5. Harmony of design seems to imply that all of the elements must be exactly the same. For example a garment all in black colour and the embroidery is in black colour, such a design would be harmonious. But not very Interesting, in design different elements can include some variety and still be considered harmonious. Experience teaches a designer how to use variety to create memorable harmonious presentations.