The Principles of Design

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The Principles of Design

• Chapter 17

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Overview

• Proportion (Scale)
• Balance
• Emphasis
• Rhythm
• Harmony

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Proportion

• Proportion is the relationship between objects,
  or parts, of a whole.

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Getting the proportion right in interior design

• The Golden Section shown in architecture
• Way of dividing a line into two segments
• If you divided the line at just
• the right point between 1/3
• and ½ the distance from the
• end something unique happens
• The ratio of the larger segment
• to the smaller segment will equal
• the ratio of the whole line to the
• larger segment

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Proportion
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In a room

•   Think of the proportion of the coffee table to
  the length of the sofa, or the height  of your
  artwork in relation to the table below it, as
  well as the overall ceiling height in the room. 
  Try for the .6 to 1 ratio.

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More examples
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Scale

• Scale refers to the size of something as it
  refers to the size of everything else, including
  people and the space itself.  Proportion refers
  to the relationship of parts or objects to one
  another based on size - the size of a window is
  in proportion to the size of the room, for
  example.  Good scale is achieved when all of the
  parts are proportionately correct relative to
  each other, as well as to the whole."

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Bad scale
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Bad scale
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Good scale
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Good scale
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Human Scale

• Rooms and furnishings should be designed to fit
  those using them

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Balance

• Balance refers to the arrangement of objects that
  create an even feel in a room.  Balanced objects
  can be either asymmetrical or symmetrical.  
• Symmetrical balance is achieved when objects are
  arranged like a mirror image.  An example of this
  formal type of arrangement  would be an armoire
  against a wall with a candle sconce hanging on
  the wall on each side of the armoire. 
• Asymmetrical balance is still balanced but is not
  a mirror image.  An example would be a console
  table with a floral arrangement on one end and a
  grouping of candlesticks on the other.  While the
  items are not the same if they are the same scale
  and weight as the floral arrangement when grouped
  together they will balance each other. 
• To maintain balance large heavy pieces of
  furniture should be placed around the room and
  not grouped together on one side of the room.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vHFIBsug9gEI

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Symmetrical Balance
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Asymmetrical Balance

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Emphasis

• Emphasis creates a center of interest
• Also referred to as a Focal Point

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Rhythm- Repetition

• When a design element is repeated

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Rhythm

• Rhythm is defined as continuous, recurrent, or
  organized movement.
• It allows for underlying unity and evolving
  variety in a design.
• We can create rhythm in 6 different ways

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Rhythm by Gradation

• Completed by increasing or decreasing one or more
  qualities.
• It suggests an onward motion by successive
  changes toward a goal.

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Rhythm by Transition

• Often subtle.
• Leads the eye in a gentle, continuous,
  uninterrupted visual flow from one area to
  another or object to another.
• Curved lines are a sign of transition.

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Rhythm by Opposition

• The direct placement of forms or colors to create
  opposition by an abrupt change.
• Ornate objects placed in quiet backgrounds
• Old versus new
• Round forms next to square ones
• Red next to green (complementary colors)
• Intersecting lines

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Rhythm by Radiation

• All parts of a composition are balanced and
  repeated around a center.
• Petals of a daisy
• Chairs around a table
• Circular objects such as plates, bowls, light
  fixtures, textile patterns, hanging plants and
  chandeliers
• Not used as frequently as other types.

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Rhythm

• The key to rhythm is continuity.
• The organized movement of recurring or developing
  patterns into a connected whole.
• Its all about the movement!

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Harmony

• Harmony is an achieved when the various parts of
  the room and house are in agreement
• A harmoniously decorated house carries through a
  single unifying
• theme that consistently
• relates the various
• components of the
• design.

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Harmony- Unity

• The design is seen as whole.
• Unity can be achieved through matching and
  coordinating

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Harmony- Variety

• Variety can relieve monotony by giving the eye a
  number of different details to look at.

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Conclusion
As you can see the Principles of Design overlap
some but through practice and exposure you will
see these principles come to life all around
you.