Clothing and Textiles · Lesson 10

Elements and principles of design, colour, figure types, styles for figures, fashion terms and the design process

WAECNECO

What the syllabus asks

WAEC: Clothing design: elements (line, colour, etc.); principles (balance, rhythm, etc.); application in construction and selection; identification of figure types for male and female; choice of styles for different figure types.

NECO: Clothing design: elements (line, colour, etc.); principles (balance, rhythm, etc.); application in construction and selection; identification of figure types for male and female; choice of styles for different figure types.

What you will learn

Define design and distinguish structural from decorative design.
Explain line, shape, texture, pattern and space.
Use colour terms and schemes.
Explain balance, proportion, emphasis, rhythm and harmony.
Identify female and male figure types.
Choose styles for figure types and figure concerns.
Explain fashion terms and the fashion cycle.
Use the design process and sketches.

Key points

Design: structural and decorative.
Elements: line, shape, colour, texture, pattern, space.
Line illusions: vertical lengthens, horizontal widens.
Colour schemes and effects; warm advances, cool recedes.
Texture: shiny enlarges, matt reduces.
Balance, proportion, emphasis, rhythm, harmony.
Golden proportion about 3 : 5.
Female: hourglass, pear, inverted triangle, rectangle, apple.
Male: athletic, rectangle, triangle, oval.
Fashion cycle; classics outlast fads.

Start here: Meaning of clothing design and its importance

Design is the planned arrangement of elements to produce an object that is both useful and beautiful. In clothing, design is the creative process of planning the style, fabric, colour and details of a garment so that it suits its purpose and the wearer. A good design is functional (comfortable, suitable, practical) and aesthetic (pleasing to the eye).

Structural and decorative design

Structural design: created by the construction itself: the cut, seams, darts, pleats, the silhouette and the fabric weave or print. For example, princess seams that shape a gown.
Decorative (applied) design: added to the surface after construction: embroidery, appliqué, beads, lace trim, buttons used as ornaments, piping.

Good decorative design should be appropriate to the structural design and should not overload the garment.

Why study design?

To choose or create clothes that flatter the figure and complexion.
To make wise choices when buying fabric and ready-made clothes.
To develop creativity for careers in fashion.
To combine wardrobe items attractively (coordination).
To produce well-planned coursework and practical articles.
To appreciate and develop Nigerian designs.

Qualities of a good clothing design

Suits the purpose, occasion and wearer.
Comfortable and allows movement.
Suits the fabric (heavy fabrics in simple styles, soft fabrics in draped styles).
Uses elements and principles harmoniously.
Has one centre of interest.
Is easy to care for and appropriate in cost.
Is culturally acceptable.

The elements of design are the “ingredients” (line, shape, colour, texture, pattern, space). The principles are the “recipe”, the rules for combining them (balance, proportion, emphasis, rhythm, harmony).

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Practice questions

1. Vertical lines in a garment make the wearer look

taller and slimmer
shorter and wider
older
younger

Show answer

A: taller and slimmer
Eye moves up and down.

2. Complementary colours are

next to each other
tints of one hue
black and white
opposite on the colour wheel

Show answer

D: opposite on the colour wheel
E.g. blue and orange.

3. Analogous colours are

only neutrals
only primaries
next to each other on the wheel
opposite each other

Show answer

C: next to each other on the wheel
Neighbouring hues.

4. A monochromatic scheme uses

black only
tints and shades of one hue
three primaries
opposite colours

Show answer

B: tints and shades of one hue
One hue.

5. Formal balance is

symmetrical
asymmetrical
random
radial only

Show answer

A: symmetrical
Mirror image.

Key words

Design: Planned arrangement of elements.
Structural design: Design created by construction.
Decorative design: Surface ornament.
Silhouette: Outline of a garment.
Hue: Name of a colour.
Value: Lightness or darkness.
Tint: Hue plus white.
Shade: Hue plus black.
Intensity: Brightness or dullness.
Complementary: Opposite on the colour wheel.
Analogous: Neighbouring hues.
Formal balance: Symmetry.

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