Elements of Design- Texture

Texture is the way a surface feels or is perceived to feel. Texture can be added to attract for repel interest to an element, depending on the pleasantness of the texture. Most textures have a natural feel but still seem to repeat a motif in some way. Regularly repeating a motif will result in a texture appearing as a pattern. 

Textures are of two types- 

Tactile texture (3D): The actual three-dimension feel of a surface that can be touched. Painter can use impasto to build peaks and create texture

Visual texture (2D): The illusion of the surfaces peaks and valleys, like the tree pictured. Any texture shown in a photo is a visual texture, meaning the paper is smooth no matter how rough the image perceives it to be.

In fashion, texture plays the role of surface quality of garments (how it looks and feels) - Roughness, smoothness, dullness, glossiness, stiffness, softness.

¡  Bulky fabrics

Add visual size (make one look bigger)

Can disguise a flaw

Can overpower a small person

¡  Smooth, flat textures

Make one look smaller

¡  Shiny textures

Make one look bigger, as they reflect light

¡  Dull Textures

Make one look smaller, as they absorb light