Week 2

Elements of design pt. 2

Gina Christopher  

This week we discussed lighting, color, texture, and pattern.

Light is very important to interior design because without it we could not see anything else. Lighting sets the mood of a space.There is ambient lighting, which includes ceiling mounted lighting , down lights, wall sconces, etc. It’s important to consider the lumens in relation to the size and shape of a space and the correct color temperature of lighting for a space. There is also task light, which is lighting that defines a purpose (reading, cooking, writing at desk, etc.). Task lighting can help reduce eye strain and improve visibility. There is also accent lighting, this is lighting that emphasizes an object. Accent lighting is important in highlighting architectural features, artwork, sculptures, and more. Accent lighting creates a great focal point for a room when well done. There is also mood lighting, which is dramatic and sets a mood/tone. Mood lighting is mostly used in commercial buildings, such as hotels and restaurants. 

Ambient lighting 

Task lighting 

Accent lighting 

Mood lighting 

Colors can affect the mood of an interior space and have a psychological impact on people. Warmer colors feel welcoming and stimulating. Cooler colors feel calming and relaxing. Warmer colors are often used in rooms for entertaining, while cooler colors are often used in bedrooms and bathrooms. There are many different color schemes including monochromatic, analogous, triadic, complementary, direct complement, and double complementary. Colors are often associated with feelings. Red gives energy, passion, and danger. Orange gives warmth and creativity. Yellow gives happiness and positivity. Blue gives calmness and tranquility. Green gives harmony and nature. White gives purity and cleanliness. Black gives power and mystery. Brown gives stability and earthiness. Purple gives luxury and spirituality. Pink gives romance and femininity. Light influences colors. Yellow light makes colors appear warmer, while blue light makes colors appear cooler. Brighter light makes colors appear more saturated, while dimmer light makes colors appear darker. The light direction also impacts a space. 

Monochromatic 

Complementary 

Analogous 

Black: power and mystery 

Texture is a characteristic of all materials and affects color perception. For example, a matte finish softens colors and a glossy finish hardens colors. Rougher surfaces absorb more light, making colors appear warmer. Smoother surfaces reflect light and make colors seem lighter. Glossy surfaces make colors appear lighter. The background behind an object can make colors appear differently, and the angle when light hits a surface can affect the way color appears. Texture includes visual texture and tactile texture. Tactile texture is texture you can feel. Visual texture is an illusion of texture. Visual textures can be seen in prints, artworks, and wallpaper. It is only visual and nothing you can physically feel. Textures make a space feel smaller, comforting, cozy and more intimate. 

Tactile texture 

Visual texture 

Pattern adds personality to a space. Patterns add visual interest to a space. Patterns comes in many shapes and styles. Patterns can be seen in floor planes, wall planes, ceiling planes, furniture, and decor. Below are a few examples of patterns used throughout a space. 

Patterns

Sketching assignment 

(Contour drawing)