Interior Design Principles
By: Alex Briggs and Charlotte Hayden
Opinions
We liked the very beginning of the article describing what exactly interior design is and how it affects our lives. It shows how much goes into designing a room and what all a person has to look for as an interior designer to make the room functional. We also liked learning about all the different elements of designs that do make a room functional. We will be able to use this later in our lives. The only thing we really disliked about the article was that it was hard to determine what the exact seven principles were. There were many different principles that it was hard to see which principles were the seven that we needed to discover and learn about.
Unity and Harmony
Elements of the room should complement each other and work together. Color schemes are a way to achieve this goal. It is important that a common theme is present throughout the space.
Balance
Balance is an equal distribution of visual weight in the room. It is attained through the three styles of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. Symmetrical balance is where objects are the same on one side of the room as the other. Asymmetrical balance is achieved by dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight. Radial symmetry is when all the elements are around a central point.
Focal Points
A well designed room has one or more focal points that draw attention to itself. A fireplace or flat screen TV is an example of a focal point most people think of.
Rhythm
Rhythm is defined by continuity, recurrence, or organized movement.
Repetition
Repetition is the use of the same element more than once throughout the space, for example, a pattern, color, wallpaper, object, etc.
Progression
Progression is taking an element and increasing or decreasing one or more of its qualities, for example, a bunch of candles varying in size.
Transition
Transition is used to create a smooth flow throughout a room usually by using a curved line such as an arched doorway.
Contrast
Contrast is used by placing two objects that are completely different, such as black and white pillows, circles and squares, etc.
Details
Details used in a room are every single little thing, noticed or not. They shouldn't be obvious but they do need to make the room flow and enhance the feel of the room.
Scale and Proportion
These elements both relate to the size and shape of objects in a room. Proportion has to do with the ratio and scale has to do with the size.
Color
Colors have a huge impact on the room because it is a major factor in determining how the room flows and the mood it creates.