Principles of Design

• Unity/ Harmony

Unity is when all elements of design work together harmoniously to create a successful visual effect for a single concept, depicting a sense of completeness. Here all parts of a design are related in a regular, orderly arrangement to result in an overall pleasing visual. Unity may be achieved through:

1. Repetition- Repetition reemphasizes visual units, connecting parts and creating an area of attention.
2. Continuation-  Continuation means that something (a line, an edge, a curve, a direction) continues from one element to another. The viewer’s eye will follow the continuing line or edge smoothly from one element to other and the mind will group the elements because of this connection. Implied lines are one example of continuation.
3. Proximity- Proximity is based on grouping by closeness; the closer elements are to each other, the more likely we will see them as a group. It is one of the easiest ways to achieve unity.
4. Alignment - Alignment consists of arranging elements so that their edges are lined up. The common alignment allows the eye to group those elements together. A grid is often used to create unity through alignment, not just in a single design but also between related designs (the pages of a magazine or book, for example).

• Variety

Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention and to guide the viewer’s eye through the design. It could be thought of as a complement to unity and is needed to create visual interest. Without unity, an image is chaotic and "unreadable;" without variety it is dull and uninteresting. Good design is achieved through the balance of unity and variety; the elements need to be alike enough so we perceive them as belonging together and different enough to be interesting. 

• Emphasis /Focal Point

Emphasis id the quality that draws attention to a certain part of the design. It could be achieved through:

1. Contrast- Contrast of line, colour, texture or shape creates an emphasis on the design. Unusual shapes, lines, contrast colours arrest by the eye by virtue of their individuality.
2. Isolation
3. Placement- Emphasis may be achieved by placement of a focal point that draws one's attention, by leading the eye in the direction of the most important element on the garment.
4. Concentrating or Grouping-  Emphasis may be achieved by grouping of a certain design part in one area such as rows of stripes, tucks, gathers, ruffles, buttons or trim, etc.
5. Absence of focal point

• Balance

Balance is the distribution of elements across a design to achieve a visual equilibrium. It is the visual attribution of 'weight' from a central area to imply a sense of equilibrium. Large or bolder elements appear to be heavier while smaller elements appear lighter.

1. Symmetrical Balance - When the left and right (or upper and lower) halves of the garment are bilaterally symmetrical. The elements are placed in an even fashion in the design. These types of garments are least expensive for mass production, unlike others where every part of the garment has to be cut and handled differently.
2. Asymmetrical Balance -  When the left and right halves of the garment are not symmetrical.
3.  Radial Balance - When major parts of the garment design radiate from the central part of the garment, creating a sunburst.

• Proportion /Scale

Proportion refers to relative sizes or scale of the parts of the design. Garment designs should be related to the structure and proportion of the human body. The golden mean equations are used to produce garments that may be divided visually into 3:5, 5:8, 8:13 horizontal sections. This is because, the body proportions have 3/8 of total figure from the waist to top of the head and the remaining 5/8 of the body is from the waist to soles of the feet. A surprising aspect of proportion is the way ideal proportions can vary for the human body itself. Styles change in bodies as they do in clothing. Prior to the 16th century, for example, the female body ideally had large hips and belly. Only later was a small waistline stressed.

• Movement

Movement is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the design, often to focal areas. Such movement can be directed along lines edges, shape and color within the design.

• Rhythm/Pattern

Rhythm is used by repetition of one or more design elements to create a feeling of organized movement.When depicted in a visual, the design seems active. Pattern is the repetition of an object or symbol all over the design.Variety is essential to keep rhythm exciting and active, and moving the viewer around the design. Rhythm is broken when lines, trimmings, or fabric designs are not matched at the seams or at other construction points.  Fabric’s designs with widely placed motifs may lack rhythm. Rhythm could be depicted through:

1. Repetition- Rhythm 
could be achieved by repetition or regular repeats of motifs of design, shapes, buttons, tucks, pleats, laces, edgings, color, textures, fabric designs etc. This can be done with all parts having the same shaped edges.
2. Progression- Rhythm is also created by progression or by gradation. Gradation implies a gradual increase or decrease of similar design elements.The gradual changes provide continuity while giving a feeling of movement.Example: Colours can go from light to dark or textures from fine to coarse or vice versa,shapes may range from small to large, and lines may range from thin to thick.
3. Transition- Transition is a fluid rhythm created when a curved line leads the eye over an angle.The curved lines of transition cause the eye to change direction gradually rather than abruptly.Transitional lines and shapes sweep and glide over the figure in an undulating rhythm leading the eye gracefully and easily from one area or direction to another. It is found in dropped shoulder designs, puff sleeves and cap sleeves, etc.
4. Radiation- Rhythm by radiation creates a feeling of movement in different directions. This organized movement originates from a central point of gathers, folds, tucks, darts, pleats and lines. Direction of radiation may be in a similar or one direction, opposing direction or both the directions, several directions and all directions.
5. Continuous line movement- This type of rhythm is obtained by flowing lines of trims, bands of colour, fabric designs etc, which make the eye move in a continuous line.This movement also unifies the garment design bringing about harmony.