Elements & Principles of Design

We spend our lives surrounded by walls, in rooms, and spaces, some decorated, others left a stark white. But the ones that stick with us, those that we find aesthetically pleasing, they all are similar at an almost scientific level, containing and combining components that make them successful. These components are known as the elements and principles of design, including but not limited to line, shape, or emphasis and harmony. In this particular instance, the commercial space merges several of these essentials.  

                The elements of design are probably the easiest to spot with an untrained eye. The most obvious element of design in the featured image would have to be line. All of the lines are curved, from the ceiling, carpet pattern, down to the curve on the back of the chairs. This continuous curved line gives the space its bubble-like, circular shape, defining another element.  There is also the application and placement of color and light. In this case, he colors are all cool colors, ranging from a bluish purple to a chill lime green. However, if you notice most of the colors are either a muted pastel or a dark rich undertone. Another obvious factor is texture. All of the surfaces are very smooth, flat, maybe even sterile, lending its self to more commercial public use, rather than a cozy home interior. Last but not least, pattern is seen throughout the whole room. The most noticeable pattern is the wallpaper applied behind the counter of the bar space. But this blending circular pattern is replicated throughout the area again in the curvature of the lines and furniture.

                Along with these elements of design the designer went to the effort to include multiple principals of design. Due to the scope and size of the provided image we can’t tell much about the rooms balance whether or not it is balanced symmetrically or asymmetrically. Nevertheless, we can see many other components. There is rhythm in the form of repetition and transition, both expressed through the lines, the curved lines being repeated and also allowing ourselves to move along the edges of those defined curves. There is also emphasis, mostly through the use of color with the lime green counter top and chairs, accenting the different tones of purple. Two other principals at work are harmony and unity. Once again it relates back to the lines tying everything together and uniting the room as a whole.

                All in all, it is the combination of the established elements and principles of design that make this room a design success. The use of line, color, shape, to the emphasis, rhythm and harmony all joined together to make this commercial interior aesthetically pleasing to every individual that inhabits the space.