Emphasis The Focal Point of Fashion

Emphasis

A dominant focal point or center of interest in a garment or an outfit created by the use of line, shape, color, texture, and/or pattern.

A point for the eye to rest on for a period of time.

An outfit without a dominant point of interest appears uninteresting, boring, and unfinished.

Too much emphasis

Two or more dominant areas or points of emphasis, are distracting and confusing… the eye becomes overly stimulated and the effect is spotty and displeasing.

Other points of interest may be present… but they must be less obvious in their claim for attention. The eye notices them, does not rest there, but returns to the dominant point.

Examples of emphasis

Emphasis assignment

Choose a picture that demonstrates the principle of emphasis.

Attach it to a paper and write a paragraph below. Paragraph: Describe where the eye is drawn due to the

emphasis Tell which elements cause the emphasis Discuss other points of interest that may help or

distract from the main focal point.

Portfolio Example

Harmony

Harmony

Refers to the use of lines, shapes, colors, textures and patterns with enough variety to avoid boredom, but not so much variety as to create conflict.

VARIETY (Things that are different) – when the design has differences to create interest

UNITY (Things that are alike)– a sense of completeness, when nothing is missing, left out or undone

Both can be overdone, the key is to balance both to achieve harmony

How is harmony achieved?

Unity: repetition of red and black

Variety: texture below the skirt, flower above

How is harmony achieved?

Unity – gray throughout, fitted, repeating lines

Variety – bows add interest, slit in front

Unity: neutral colors, vertical lines, brown repeated in shoes

Variety: belt-horizontal line

Harmony assignment

Choose one picture of a GOOD design. Cut out nicely, glue to a white piece of paper. On the back of the paper write the following:

The elements of design that create variety The elements of design that create unity Write how they work together to create a good

design.

Assignments

EMPHASIS Choose a picture that

demonstrates the principle of emphasis.

Attach it to a paper and write a paragraph below.

Paragraph: Describe where the eye is

drawn due to the emphasis Tell which elements cause the

emphasis Discuss other points of interest

that may help or distract from the main focal point.

HARMONY Choose one picture of a

GOOD design. Cut out nicely, glue to a

white piece of paper. On the back of the paper

write the following: The elements of design that

create variety The elements of design that

create unity Write how they work together

to create a good design.