Chapter 3 - Design Principles, Elements and Style

Question 1

principles of design (6)

Answer 1

1. scale
2. proportion
3. balance
4. rhythm
5. emphasis
6. harmony (variety and unity)

Question 2

design principles definition

Answer 2

the abstract concepts that constitute the theory, bylaws, or governing ideas that determine the success of a design, each element can be evaluated by these

Question 3

scale

Answer 3

overall size, such as the largeness or smallness of a room, object or pattern

Question 4

proportion

Answer 4

size relationship or ratio of parts to whole, such as the size of a chair in relation to the size of its arms

Question 5

balance

Answer 5

equilibrium achieved by arranging components symmetrically, asymmetrically or radially

Question 6

rhythm

Answer 6

flow of elements, usually organized according to a theme such as repetition or alternation, progression or gradation, transition, opposition or contrast, or radiation

Question 7

emphasis

Answer 7

enhancement that produces a point of interest or focal point in a design

Question 8

harmony

Answer 8

compatibility of elements to create a pleasing whole, achieved through unity and variety

Question 9

shape

Answer 9

open and closed areas, space may be positive (filled) or negative (open)

Question 10

space

Answer 10

open and closed areas, space may be positive (filled) or negative (open)

Question 11

shape

Answer 11

two-dimensional outline, often seen as a geometric figure such as a rectangle or triangle

Question 12

form

Answer 12

three-dimensional shapes such as a cute, cone or sphere

Question 13

mass

Answer 13

weight, density or relative solidity of a form, mass may be actual or visual

Question 14

line

Answer 14

connection between two points, line may be vertical, horizontal, angular or curved

Question 15

texture

Answer 15

smoothness or roughness of a surface, texture may be read visually or through touch

Question 16

pattern

Answer 16

arrangement of motifs in a repetitive or varied order, a small pattern may be read visually as texture

Question 17

light

Answer 17

natural, artificial, or a combination of both, light affects the appearance of all other elements of design

Question 18

color

Answer 18

huge that vary from light to dark and from intense to dull and can be mixed with one another and combined in color schemes, color is the most personal and emotional of the elements of design

Question 19

floor plan scale

Answer 19

1/4, 1/8, or 1/16 inch usually equals 1 ft

Question 20

golden mean

Answer 20

a line from the ancient Egyptians and then Greeks that visually divides an object into two unequal but harmonious parts, falls somewhere between one-half and one-third (vertically or horizontally)

Question 21

golden section

Answer 21

proportions of parts to one another and to the whole, often around the golden mean, ex: 3:5, 8:13, 13:21

Question 22

golden rectangle

Answer 22

sides of rectangles are based off the golden section

Question 23

equilibrium

Answer 23

the arrangement of objects physically or visually to reach a state of stability and poise

Question 24

types of balance (3)

Answer 24

1. symmetric or formal balance
2. asymmetric or informal balance
3. radial balance

Question 25

symmetric balance

Answer 25

aka formal, bisymmetrical or passive balance, creates a mirror image around a central point

Question 26

asymmetric balance

Answer 26

aka informal, active, optical or occult balance, can be accomplished by putting dissimilar objects at varying distances from a center point or placing objects of similar visual weight or form being balanced at an equal distance from a center line

Question 27

radial balance

Answer 27

based on the circle, things surrounding a central point in a circle

Question 28

types of rhythm (5)

Answer 28

1. repetition and alternation
2. progression or gradation
3. transition
4. opposition or contrast
5. radiation

Question 29

repetition

Answer 29

establishes rhythm through the repetitive use of an element of design, provides continuity and flow of rhythm, unity and sameness

Question 30

alteration

Answer 30

the sequence of two or more components by which the eye can follow a rhythmic pattern

Question 31

progression or gradation

Answer 31

shapes progressing from small to large or large to small

Question 32

transition

Answer 32

leads the eye without interruption from one point to another, can be a continuous line like crown molding or arched doorway

Question 33

opposition or contrast

Answer 33

abrupt change that from interesting, repetitive rhythm, 90-degree angles, patterns or varied shapes

Question 34

radiation

Answer 34

radiating concentric or spikelike lines or forms

Question 35

focal point

Answer 35

an area visually important enough to draw and hold attention, arrange furniture to face the focal point

Question 36

unity

Answer 36

oneness and uniformity, the goal that is being sought, using selections with the same feeling

Question 37

variety

Answer 37

absence of monotony or sameness, healthy positive influence that brings about vitality, interest and diversity

Question 38

ottomans

Answer 38

oversized footstools

Question 39

massing

Answer 39

grouping tougher components to create a unified “group mass”

Question 40

types of lines (3)

Answer 40

straight, angular, curved

Question 41

psychological effects of straight lines (2)

Answer 41

1. horizontal lines: weighty, secure, restful, repose

2. vertical lines: imposing, lofty, solid, formal, restrained

Question 42

psychological effects of angular lines (2)

Answer 42

1. diagonal lines: action, movement, interest, angular stability
2. zigzag lines: exciting, lively, rhythmic movement

Question 43

psychological effects of curved lines (3)

Answer 43

1. curved or circular lines: soft, humanizing, repetitive tempo, gracefulness
2. flowing lines: gentle movement, growth, linear development
3. tightly curved or busy lines: playful activity, zest, lively visual stimulation

Question 44

relief

Answer 44

high and low areas that produce highlight and shadow

Question 45

combining patterns (4)

Answer 45

1. the placement of emphasis
2. the character of the pattern
3. the color scheme
4. the scale of the patterns to be combined

Question 46

color values

Answer 46

the relative lightness or darkness of the color hues

Question 47

color intensity

Answer 47

the brightness versus the dullness of a color hue

Question 48

structural design

Answer 48

when the design is inartistic to the structure and the form indicates the function of the piece

Question 49

ergonomics

Answer 49

the study of the relationships between, on the one hand, human form and movements and, on the other hand, furniture and other products people use

Question 50

criteria for structural design (4)

Answer 50

1. must be simple
2. is unadorned
3. the function of the piece must be apparent
4. a structural piece must be well proportioned to be good design

Question 51

structural design

Answer 51

the design cannot be removed from the structure without destroying both the design and the purpose

Question 52

decorative design

Answer 52

aka “applied” or “ornamental” design

Question 53

types of decorative design (4)

Answer 53

1. Naturalistic design
2. Conventional design
3. Geometric design
4. Abstract design

Question 54

power of discernment

Answer 54

the ability to recognize and appreciate fine design wherever it is found

Question 55

finding a personal style (7)

Answer 55

1. pare back
2. rearrange what you already have
3. think “need” not “want”
4. simplify and organize
5. cultivate creativity
6. personalize
7. cultivate good taste

Question 56

elements of design (9)

Answer 56

1. space
2. shape
3. form
4. mass
5. line
6. texture
7. pattern
8. light
9. color