Week 2

Elements of Design

 The themes discussed this week included light, color, texture, and pattern. 

Light: Crucial in any space! Can be natural or artificial, as both work with one another to achieve a specific outcome in a space. There are all kinds of lighting, from ambient, task, accent, and mood. There are several examples, such as the need for offices to have bright lighting for increased alertness. A living room may benefit from softer or more versatile lighting. Natural light plays an important role when placed properly. Lighting can also enhance mood, define color and texture, and add extra pizzazz through fixtures.

Color: Color works with space, texture, and light to create a desired effect and/or an emotional response.  For example, warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow evoke energy and warmth. Cool colors like blue and green create a calming environment. Color theory is very complicated, but to put it simply, there are different hues (base color), they are usually divided into primary, secondary, or tertiary hues. Tints are created by adding white, shades are created by adding black, and tones are created by adding gray. There are also different kinds of color schemes, such as analogous, complementary, monochromatic, etc.

Texture: There are both visual and tactile textures that can change the feel of a room. Tactile textures, like rough brick or smooth glass, may make a room feel cozier or more open. Visual textures, such as wallpaper patterns, seem to have a texture but they remain flat, with no physical variation. Adding texture may make a room feel cozier and warmer. Some examples mentioned were how glossy surfaces reflect more light and appear sleek and how matte textures soften colors and create warmth. By having contrasting textures (while remaining balanced) can add more visual interest.

Pattern: Patterns can provide further visual interest through repetition. There are all kinds of patterns from geometric shapes like stripes and diamonds to floral designs. Patterns can change a room’s character. For example, geometric prints usually add a modern style, while floral patterns bring a romantic touch.