Task 1 (Exploration)

Design Principles GCD60804

Marya Salah
0377224
Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology (Honours)
( Week 1 - Week 3 )

 Table of Contents for Task 1 (Exploration):                       

• Introduction
• Lectures
• Selected Design
• Explanation for Selecting The Work
• Feedbacks

1                                                                          Introduction

2                                                                                 Lectures

03.02.2025 -  21.02.2025 (Week 1 - Week 3)

📌 Design Principles and Elements – Lecture Summary

🔹 Elements of Design

The elements of design are the fundamental building blocks of any visual composition. They are used to create structure and effectively communicate visual messages.

        Point:

• The smallest unit in design and the most basic visual element.

• Can be used individually or repeated to form shapes or patterns.

        Line:

• Connects points and creates direction within a design.

• Can be straight, curved, dashed, or zigzagged, influencing the sense of movement and flow.

        Shape:

• Formed when lines connect to create a closed space.

• Two main types:

• Geometric Shapes: Precise and structured, like squares, circles, and triangles.

• Organic Shapes: More natural and free-flowing, often seen in nature.

        Form:

• Refers to three-dimensional objects that have height, width, and depth.

• Achieved through shading and perspective to create a sense of volume.

        Texture:

• Describes the surface quality of an object, whether smooth, rough, soft, or hard.

• Can be actual texture (tactile) or visual texture (simulated through design elements).

        Space:

• The area within or around elements in a design.

• Includes positive space (occupied by elements) and negative space (the empty areas surrounding elements).

        Color:

• One of the most powerful elements, influencing emotions and the overall perception of a design.

• Composed of three key attributes:

• Hue: The color itself (e.g., red, blue, yellow).

• Value: The lightness or darkness of a color.

• Saturation: The intensity or purity of a color.

🔹 Principles of Design

The principles of design serve as guidelines for arranging and organizing design elements to achieve visual balance and harmony.

        Contrast:

• The distinct difference between elements in a design, such as variations in color, size, or shape.

• Helps to highlight key elements and direct the viewer’s attention.

        Balance:

• The distribution of visual weight within a design to create stability.

• Can be:

• Symmetrical Balance: Where elements are evenly distributed on both sides.

• Asymmetrical Balance: Where different elements are arranged to achieve equilibrium without being identical.

        Emphasis:

• Used to draw attention to a focal point within a design.

• Achieved through contrast in color, size, or placement.

        Repetition:

• The recurrence of design elements to create consistency and unity.

• Helps to establish a strong visual identity and cohesion within a composition.

        Movement:

• Directs the viewer’s eye through the design in a structured manner using lines, colors, or gradients.

• Creates a sense of flow and engagement across different elements.

        Proportion:

• The relationship between the sizes of different elements in a design.

• Helps in achieving a balanced composition where elements work together harmoniously.

        Unity:

• Ensures that all elements in a design work together to create a cohesive and integrated composition.

• Achieved through consistent color schemes, alignment, and repetition.

🔹 Gestalt Principles

The Gestalt principles are psychological theories that explain how people perceive visual elements as unified patterns rather than isolated parts.

        Similarity:

• Elements that share similar characteristics (such as color, shape, or size) are perceived as related or part of a group.

        Proximity:

• Elements that are placed close together are perceived as belonging to the same group, even if they differ in appearance.

        Closure:

• The mind tends to complete incomplete shapes to create a whole image.

        Continuation:

• The eye naturally follows lines, curves, and paths within a composition.

        Figure/Ground:

• The ability to distinguish between the foreground and background of an image.

       Common Fate:

• Elements that move in the same direction or change in a similar manner are perceived as a group.

📌 Conclusion

These concepts demonstrate how design elements and principles can be applied to create visually effective and engaging compositions. Understanding Gestalt principles helps explain how viewers 

perceive design, enabling designers to enhance visual communication and impact.

3                                                                       Selected Design

AMERICAN VOGUE MAY 2024 COVER

Source: vogue.com

4                                    Explanation for the Selected Work

Analysis of Vogue Magazine Cover – May 2024 Issue

When I first saw the cover of Vogue for this issue, what immediately caught my attention was the harmonious balance between nature and fashion. The model is seen wearing a red dress shaped like a giant rose, set against a background of green leaves. This cover evoked a sense of harmony between human beauty and natural elements, as if celebrating a delicate yet powerful femininity. I will analyze this artwork through the elements of design, principles of design, and Gestalt principles.

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How I Perceived This Design?

From the moment I saw this cover, I felt as though I was looking at a vibrant natural painting where fashion and nature merge into one. The red dress wasn’t just a piece of clothing; it felt like an actual blooming rose, and the model seemed like she was part of this natural scene, not just posing in it. The colors, balance, and movement made me see this cover as an artwork that poetically and elegantly expresses beauty and femininity.

5                                                                               Feedbacks

I would like to reflect on my journey in selecting the artwork for the first assignment. Initially, I chose to analyze one of Giorgio Armani’s designs from the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, drawn to its balance between luxury and boldness. Later, after discussing with Mr. Martin, I decided to switch to Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night. However, my instructor expressed concern about the challenge of transforming a classic artwork into a graphic design piece, especially with my background in fashion design, and advised me to consider something more relevant to my field.

Following this discussion, I realized the importance of choosing a piece that could benefit my future as a fashion designer. I ultimately decided to work on the cover of Vogue magazine – May 2024 issue, as it combines elements of fashion and graphic design. This choice allowed me to apply the design principles I have learned and analyze the artwork through design elements, principles, and Gestalt theories, making the assignment more relevant to my fashion design studies and beneficial for my future career.