BRIEF NOTE ON LINE IN ELEMENT OF DESIGN

LINE IN  ELEMENT OF DESIGN

LINE

Definition: Line is an elongated mark, the connection between two points, or the effect made by the edge of an object where there is no actual line on the object itself. In garments lines can be categorized in three ways:

• first is by type,

• second by direction and
• the last by application

line in element of design

    All garments contain a combination of lines from each of these categories

Line refers to the edge or the outline of a garment and the style lines that divide the space within a garment. It is an enormously useful and versatile realistic tool that is made to function in both visual and verbal ways. it leads the eye in the direction the line is going, and divides the area through which it passes, thus providing a breaking point in space. It defines a shape or a silhouette and conveys a mood or a character. it can create visual illusions, such as height and width and also makes a figure look thinner or thicker.

    There are nine characteristics of line – path, thickness, evenness, continuity, sharpness of edge, contour of edge, consistency, length and direction.

    These aspects or characteristics of line give it a powerful role in dress. it manipulates space: line divides it, encloses it, organizes it, pushes and pulls it, separates and contours it .

    Lines give direction to a design and break larger areas into smaller ones. it also create movement in a design, carrying the eye form one area to another. They can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or curve

VERTICAL LINES

vertical line in fashion 

vertical lines lead the eye up and down. They add height and create a thinner, taller silhouette. They are more masculine. Vertical lines communicate a feeling of loftiness and spirituality. These lines lead the eye up and down. They give the impression of added height and slimness. If worn by a thin person it makes the person look even taller and thinner. They also give a feeling of dignity, strength, poise and sophistication. Vertical lines are found in a shirt front, princess lines, center back seam, darts, pleats, tucks and in fabric pattern

HORIZONTAL LINE

horizontal line in fashion

Horizontal lines carry the eye from side to side. Adds width and make a person appear shorter and heavier .Horizontal suggests a feeling of rest or repose as it is parallel to the earth and is at rest in relation to gravity. Therefore compositions in which horizontal lines dominate tend to be quiet, relaxed and restful in feeling. These lines will direct the viewer across the garment, emphasizing its width at that point. That is they give the impression of less height and more width. In other words they make a body look shorter and wider. So their placement is done where a wider and broader feeling is required.

For example : a band or seam at the hipline will make the hips seem wider. Horizontal lines are found at waistlines, hemline, wide neckline, sleeves, collars, panels, midriffs and in belts.

DIAGONAL LINES

diagonal line in fashion

Diagonal lines are angled and slanted. They produce the same illusion as the straight line they most resemble .these lines are slanted and they suggest a feeling of movement or direction. These lines in a garment tend to slenderize the whole, more than vertical lines. They are strong and draw attention to the area where they are used. Since objects in a diagonal position are unstable in relation to gravity, they are either about to fall, or in motion. Thus if a feeling of movement or speed is desired, or a feeling of activity, diagonal lines can be used. Their degree of slant determines their visual effect in clothes. If they have a vertical slant they give slenderness feeling and if they are horizontally slant they add width. When these lines are combined with vertical lines, a figure seems the tallest as they tend to create a more slenderizing effect . These lines are found generally in panels, seams, darts, ‘V’ necklines, collars & lapels, flared trousers ‘A’ line skirts, bias cut stripes and raglan sleeves.

CURVED LINES

curved line in fashion

Curved lines gently bend. They are considered graceful and feminine. They can also reemphasize and define the figure .These lines can be rounded and circular termed as full curve or somewhat flattened out called as restrained curve. Curved lines are less conservative, formal and powerful than straight lines. In fact, circles and curves make spaces look larger than they really are. They also increase the size and shape of the figure. They add interest and smoothness. They give soft, gentle, youthful and flowing feeling. But too many curved lines in a dress at once can create a confusing look .

JAGGED LINE

jagged line in fashion

Jagged lines have sharp points like zigzags, which change the direction abruptly due to their points. This type of line gives a feeling of jerky, busy, exited effect. They also emphasize angularity. When they are used more than required these jagged lines can create a feeling of confusion in dress. As they are very noticeable their use should be carefully done. Decorative fabric pattern and trim like rickrack can lead to this effect .

APPLICATION OF LINE IN GARMENTS:

Lines are incorporated into clothing in the two basic ways - structural and decorative.

A. STRUCTURAL LINES:

structural  line in fashion

    Structural lines are most noticeable if the fabric of the garment is plain. They can be introduced through constructional lines like seams, darts, fitting tucks and shirring. Structural line are also introduced by real or perceived edges of garment parts like outer edge of collars, sleeves, belts, hems, pockets etc. Creases and folds created by pleats, gathers etc also give structural line effect in a garment.

B. DECORATIVE LINES:

decorative lines in fashion

    Decorative lines are created by adding details to the surface of clothing. They are added simply to decorate the garment and make it more interesting. They add style and personality. They can be formed by adding rows of buttons, topstitching, braids, piping, bias binding lace edging, faggoting, ruffles, fringe etc. Fabric pattern lines such as stripes, plaids, herringbones, checks etc also add lines decoratively.

TYPES OF ILLUSION CREATED BY LINE IN DRESS:

    

illusion created by line in fashion

Different lines are mixed in garments. The ways lines are combined produce various, expected effects. Skillfully used lines can create various visual illusions. Lines lengthen an area more or less depending on the direction of line “tails” . When diagonal lines are added to each end of a straight line pointing towards the center, it looks shorter than when the diagonal lines on each end keep the eye moving out. A horizontal line and vertical line of the same size when placed together the horizontal still appears to be small due to illusion. A vertical seam or an opening appears longer when it intersects a horizontal belt or hem. In clothing, lines often combined into designs that appear to form an arrow, or the letters T, I or Y . These configurations cause certain optical illusions. Lines that form an arrow tend to deflect the gaze downward. They shorten, or reduce the height of a person. Lines that form a “T” also stop the upward movement of the eye. The height is again cut, but width is given to the top. Lines that form an “I” tend to give a vertical feeling that is contained at the top and bottom. They carry the gaze upward and make the body look somewhat taller and thinner. 

Lines that form a “Y” keep the gaze moving upward even further. The appearance of even more height is given to the body with a raised collar or a V neckline. Lines spaced far apart make the figure look larger than they are nearer . A panel at the center of the dress can create this effect. Also when the lines are bold, they draw the attention of the looker. Thick stripes create this illusion. They make a person look larger than they are actually are.