Interior Design
The 6 Elements of Design
Objectives
• Identify the six elements of design and how
they are used in Interior Design.
• Build vocabulary in order to use professional
language.
• Use critical thinking to identify what affect
different elements of design have on
interior spaces.
The six elements of design
are:
Space
Line
Form
Texture
Pattern
Color
(1) Space
• Space is the area in
which a design is
created
• The height, length, and
width
• Interior designers can
utilize space, create a
feeling and create the
illusion of space.
Space can also be Positive
or Negative
• Positive space
• An area of a composition
that a subject occupies.
• Negative space
• An area of a composition
that is not occupied by a
subject.
Space
• Negative space:
• Triangle space of
the blank wall
• Positive space:
• Triangle space
created by the
grouping of
pictures on the
wall
Group Question 1: Space
Describe the positive space and the negative
space in this photo. What do you see?
(2) Line
• An extension of a
point, elongated mark,
connection between
two points, the effect
of the edge of an
object
• Line establishes shape
and form
• Suggests movement
• Leads or moves the eye
around the room
Types of Lines
• Vertical
• Horizontal
• Diagonal
• Straight
• Curved
Horizontal linesare relaxed, restful
and casual.
Vertical linessuggest formality
and dignity
Diagonal linescreate a sense of drama
bring energy into a space
Curved linesadd interest and relief
Curved lines considered to
be feminine
Straight lines are
considered to be masculine
Group Question 2: Line
Is there a horizontal line in this room?
If yes, Where? Is there a Vertical line in
this room? If yes, Where?
(3) Shape/Form
• Shape is a 2D space
defined by edges.
• Square, Circle, Triangle
• Form is a 3D space
defined by edges
• Cube, Sphere, Cone
• Rectangles are most
often the dominant
shape in a room
Squares
suggest a rational,
stable form with no direction
Triangles
are stable,
but dynamic shapes
Circles imply unity and
completeness
Group Question 3: Form
Describe the form in the center of this
space and the shapes that are used.
How does this form make the space feel?
(4) Texture
• The surface of an object, its
smoothness or roughness
• There are three categories of
texture:
• Visual-The appearance
of a surface
• Tactile- the feel of a
surface
• Audible-
the sound a
surface makes when
rubbed
Texture
• Heavily textured, rough
surfaces
• absorb more light
• more casual feeling
• Look darker
• absorb sound
• Smooth and shiny surfaces
• are more formal
• appear to be lighter
• reflect light
Group Question 4: Texture
What is the texture?
How does it: Look, Feel, Sound
1
2
3
(5) Pattern
• Pattern is the
repetition of a
decorative motif on a
surface
• Related to visual
texture
• Pattern can create
optical illusions in an
interior space
Pattern
When using several
patterns
• The size of the
pattern should fit the
size of the object it is
on or space it is in.
• Patterns should have
an element that unites
them
Group Question 5: Pattern
Which of these patterns is not like the
others? Draw a picture of it.
• Color is the light
Color
reflected off an
object
• Color is one of the
most powerful tools
• People associate
specific colors with
emotions and meanings
• These associations are
based on culture and
experiences
Things that affect Color
• Texture
• Rough textures look
darker
• Smooth textures look
lighter
• Area
• Smaller area appears
less intense
• Larger area appears
more intense
• Light
• Amount of light
• quality of light
Color cont.
• High lighting
levels can
intensify a hue or
wash it out
• Colors look
different in
daylight than they
do in artificial
light
Group Question 6: Color
What emotions do these colors
make you think of?
Blue
Purple
Red
Yellow
Green
Orange
The six elements of design
are:
Space
Line
Form
Texture
Pattern
Color