Page 48 - Designing Ways 268
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7 ELEMENTS
              OF DÉCOR
              & DESIGN


                7 Elements of

               Design & Décor


                by Stienie Greyling


                 he elements of design are the
                 building blocks of what a visual
           Tartist or graphic designer uses to
           make a successful composition.
             Interior design relates to the design of
           a room or living area from the ground
           up.  Often this is confused with interior
           decorating which uses a pre-built space
           which is then enhanced with furniture,
           wallpaper and various other features.
           Interior decorating uses some elements   What are the elements of Design?  to create an image that can convey a        the user and the designer.  It can stand   Even with monochrome colour schemes
           of interior design (furniture, colour and   The elements of design are the   certain mood, draw the eye in a certain   alone, as a background, or be applied to   one can create a beautiful dynamic and
           objects particularly), but also works   fundamental aspects of any visual design   direction, or evoke a number of feelings.     other elements like lines, shapes, texture   appeal by varying textures.  Wall art does
           out how the decorative features the   which include shape, colour, space,   While elements of design form the basics   and typography.  Colour creates a mood   this by changing up walls flat, dull texture
           homeowner likes will bring the space to   form, line, value and texture.  Graphic   of any image, designers also lean on the   within the piece and tells a story about the   with uplifting and beautiful material and
           life.                              designers  use  the  elements  of  design   principles  of design, which are a set  of   brand.                        design.                     dw
                                                                                practices of working with the elements
                                                                                of design that make a composition look            What are examples of décor?
                                                                                pleasing to the eye.                                Ceramics,  glassware,  basketry,
                                                                                                                                  jewellery, metal ware,  furniture,  textiles,
                                                                                What are the differences between the              clothing  and  other  such  goods  are  the
                                                                                Elements and Principles of Design?                objects most commonly associated with
                                                                                  The elements of design refer to the             the decorative arts. Basketry or pottery
                                                                                basic building blocks of any composition.         are also commonly considered to be
                                                                                The principles of design refer to how the         craft, but the definitions of both terms are
                                                                                elements are used, like the symmetrical or        arbitrary.
                                                                                asymmetrical balance, pattern, emphasis,
                                                                                movement and proportion.  The principles          Why décor items are important?
                                                                                of design are a set of cardinal rules and           Decoration can be life-enhancing.
                                                                                techniques for composing the various              It can make dinner parties more fun,
                                                                                elements of design.                               kids happier, relaxing easier, talks more
                                                                                                                                  intimate and put guests  at ease. And to
                                                                                What are the principles of house design?          think the decorating is often considered
                                                                                  There are seven main principles of              frivolous.  Making a charmed and happy
                                                                                interior design: balance, harmony,                home is a noble endeavour.
                                                                                rhythm, proportion and scale, emphasis,
                                                                                contrast and details.  These concepts can         Why is décor important in a home?
                                                                                be applied to any room in a home, from              The ways people decorate and furnish
                                                                                living room to bathroom.                          their home, and the objects they choose
                                                                                                                                  to display can reveal their benefits,
                                                                                What are the five basic elements?                 aspirations and tastes.  Décor and
                                                                                  All matter is composed of five basic            furnishing can also contribute to their
                                                                                elements (panchamahabhutas), which                sense of mental and physical wellbeing.
                                                                                inherit the properties of earth (pritvil),
                                                                                water (jala), fire (tejas), wind (vayu) and       Why is wall décor good?
                                                                                space (akasha).                                     An  undeniable  benefit  of  living  room
                                                                                                                                  wall art is the dynamic and texture it gives
                                                                                What is the most obvious element of               a space.  This is especially true if walls are
                                                                                design?                                           all the same colour or if the flooring has
                                                                                  Colour.  Colour is one of the most              the same texture throughout the room.
                                                                                obvious elements of design for both




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