Elements of Cloth Design - Texture

Elements of Design

A complete knowledge on the various fundemental elements of art and design would help a person to create and design a garment on an asthetic manner. To create beautiful garments consistantly one need to follow certain guidelines in selecting and arranging design elements. In creating a design one of the components which interact is the Design Elements.

The elements and principles of design are flexible and should be interpreted within the context of current fashion.The principles of design are the rates that governs how elements are combined. The elements are therefore the raw materials that must be combined successfully.

The following are the different elements of Art.

1. Line

2. Form and Shape                            

3. Colour and                                    

4. Texture

These elements are considered as 'plastics' in art language because they can be manipulated or arranged by the designer to create a desired illusions. 

4. Texture: Texture is the element of design that describes surface appearance and feel. Textures are compared to other textures with which they are combined and to the person wearing them. Some adjectives used to describe textures are smooth, heavy, thin, crisp, glossy and rough.

An understanding of the dynamics of texture helps individual consumers and fashion professionals make better decisions as they select apparel products and items of personal adornment.

(i) Texture as a sensory impression : Textile qualities refer to coarseness, softness or rigidity as recognized by touch. Texture refers to the surface qualities of things. The visual aspect of texture is perceived by the eye because of the degree of light absorption and reflection on the surface of the material.

Texture is fully comprehended by touch, but it is not always necessary to feel an object to understand its textile qualities. Lustrous textures are seen in satins and dull textures in fuzzy wools. Textures has the definite dimensions of weight, size, bulk and shape. These physical dimensions are also visually perceived. Each fabric has textural characteristics that can be described by feeling, seeing or feeling and seeing.

Feel - Soft - Crisp, smooth - rough See - Shiny - dull, opaque - transparent Feel and see - thick - thin, clingy - rigid

(ii) Components that determine texture : Texture is determined by the arrangement of the component parts in fabric. These are the fiber, the yarn, the fabrication, Eg. Weave or knit and the finish that make up a fabric. Fibers are spun into yarns, which are used to construct fabrics of varying textures. The finish given to fabric after it is constructed can impart texture as well as other qualities. Texture determines how the fabric should be used. Garment designs that do not respect the fabric texture characteristics cannot be satisfactory.

 Fashions in Textures: Fashion as well as silhouettes and colors enter and leave the fashion picture. The style of the garment determines which textures will be used. Changes in fashion bring changes in texture. Tailored garments are cut and sewn for a trim fit. To drape is to arrange in loose folds. Drapable means the ability to hang in following lines or loose folds. Because texture and garment styling must be compatible. The fashion reappearance of textures as well as garment designs occurs periodically.

 Selection of Texture: While selecting textures the individual proportions, skin and hair textures and personality must be considered.

 Effect of Texture on physical proportion : Textures have the physical properties of weight, size, bulk, shape, light absorption and reflection. Textures can produce illusion that change apparent body size, can make one look heavier or thinner.

Fashion professionals and consumers must consider the dynamics of fabric texture, the design of the apparel item or accessory, and the physical, psychological and social characteristics of the individual in choosing fabric textures.