Fundamentals of Design Concepts

The process of creating a plan or arrangement for a work or product, involving both thinking of ideas and making them a reality. It considers how things look, work and mean. It's not just about visuals, but also functionality and usability, making a result that's meaningful and useful.

Design inspired by, or directly copying, shapes found in nature. These designs use organic, flowing, and often asymmetrical elements, like natural patterns and shapes.

A design based on natural or other sources, but simplifies or exaggerates them. It takes inspiration but changes it in a unique way.

The design must effectively fulfill its intended purpose. For example, a chair should be comfortable to sit on.

The design should be strong enough to withstand regular use and last for a long time. This includes choosing durable materials and building techniques.

Avoid unnecessary complexity to emphasize clarity and purpose. A simple design is easier to understand and use.

Materials should be suitable for the design and highlight their inherent strengths. For example, wood is good for furniture because it's strong and warm to touch.

Every element of the structure must be balanced and visually pleasing. This involves using proportions that create a sense of harmony.

The design should allow for practical modifications when needed. For example, a table should be adjustable to fit different spaces.

All parts of the design must work cohesively together. They should complement and support each other.

The structure should have an aesthetic appeal derived from its shape and function. Beauty is found in the form itself.

Structural design focuses on the core building blocks of an object, ensuring it's built for its intended purpose. It prioritizes functionality, stability, and strength.

Decorative design enhances the visual appeal of an object without sacrificing its function. It involves adding aesthetic elements like carvings, patterns, or embellishments.

In Architecture, structural design ensures strong, functional buildings like bridges and skyscrapers. Decorative design adds visual appeal with things like sculpted columns or intricate facades.

In Furniture, structural design prioritizes comfort, durability, and functionality. Examples include sturdy table legs. Decorative design adds aesthetic elements like carvings, inlays, or patterns.

In Dress, structural design focuses on the form, fit, and practicality of clothing. It ensures the garment is wearable. Decorative design uses embellishments like embroidery, sequins, or prints to enhance the garment's visual appeal.

FRESH PUB helps remember structural design requirements: Functionality, Reliability, Elegance, Simplicity, Harmony, Proportion, Unity, and Beauty.

SPACES HAIR helps remember decorative design requirements: Suitability, Placement, Aesthetic Appeal, Compatibility, Elegance, Simplicity, Harmony, Appropriateness, Integration, Reinforcement.

A real-life example of structural design is a wooden chair that is designed for comfort and stability. It's purpose-built and functional.

Structural design focuses on the form and functionality of an object, ensuring it serves its purpose efficiently. Decorative design enhances the aesthetic appeal through ornamentation, like carvings or patterns, without compromising the object's functionality.

Placement of decoration should highlight and reinforce structural points, like corners or joints, enhancing stability and visual emphasis.

Harmony in design means all elements, both structural and decorative, work cohesively. Structure provides the foundation, and decoration complements it without overpowering or weakening it.

Functionality, simplicity, and durability are essential for structural design.

Decorative design is most effective when it strengthens and complements the structure, enhancing its appeal without overpowering it.

Placement, proportion, and aesthetic appeal are crucial aspects of decorative design.

Ornamentation is not a requirement of structural design, as its primary focus is on functionality and durability.

The arrangement of colors in a way that creates visual appeal and balance.

Uses variations of one single color, like shades, tints, and tones.

A color scheme using shades, tints, and tones of a single color.

Uses colors next to each other on the color wheel, creating serene and comfortable designs.

Colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel, often used to create serene and comfortable designs.

A requirement that applies to both structural and decorative design, ensuring that the design is suitable for its intended purpose.

A requirement that applies to both structural and decorative design, ensuring that the design is visually appealing and balanced.

A requirement that applies to both structural and decorative design, ensuring that the design is durable and long-lasting.

Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel, creating the strongest visual contrast, like a vibrant conversation.

A monochromatic color scheme uses a single color with its shades, tints, and tones, creating a calm and harmonious atmosphere.

Split-complementary color schemes involve one main color, its complement, and the two colors adjacent to the complement, adding depth with subtle contrast.

Double-complementary, or tetradic color schemes, involve two sets of complementary colors, creating high visual impact.

Dominating one color and using others for accents tones down a double-complementary scheme, creating a balanced and harmonious design.

A triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced on the color wheel, creating vibrant combinations.

Using tints (adding white) and shades (adding black) within a monochromatic scheme adds depth and visual interest without breaking the harmony.