Principle and Elements of Design

They say anybody can be a designer.   I suppose that's true depending on how you define design.  Is design anything you want it to be or does it have purpose?  I think it's a bit of both.  On the one hand, if you like your space and it makes you happy then no matter what it may look like in anybody else's eyes, it's your design and your style so you can say you designed it.  However, if you don't like your space and it doesn't make you happy, then you may turn to someone else for help.  In doing so, presumably you'd be looking for someone who may bring something to the table that you can't.  One of these things is an understanding of the Principles and Elements of design. Understanding how to use things like color, texture, form, can be used to bring balance and harmony to a space while capturing the essence of who the space if for an how it will be used.


I'll use my sister's house as an example.  By self-admission, my sister doesn't have any real sense of style when it comes to her home.  When the house was remodeled 2 years ago, I served as her design consultant.  To ensure that she didn't revert to the home's 1980's pink and blue color scheme, I tried to keep her on track by researching options that would work together.  As the floor plan opened up quite a bit, color needed to flow from space to space in a cohesive way.  While blue is still used, it's no longer baby blue, but a colonial blue.  Pink was replaced with tan and a soft green which works in harmony throughout the space. 


To help add texture to her home, draperies were added to the new windows and french doors.  Although she's been in the home for many years, it never occurred to her to add window treatments to her windows.  Once done, however, she realized how much warmth they bring to the space in addition to breaking up the wall space.  At this point some of what is up are left overs from the "old" house but as budget permits, they'll be replaced with something more interesting.  


Finally I tried to address space and form by getting her to think outside the box and try a new floor plan in her family room.  The room is fairly large rectangle.  On the short ends there is a fireplace flanked by 2 windows opposite an opening into the kitchen.  On the long walls there is a triple window looking out on the porch opposite a blank wall.  To make the room feel cozier I suggested the sofa face the fireplace with chairs flanking the corners.  This made for a u shaped conversation area around the fireplace and allowed for views out all the windows.  It also separated out the back of the space where she has a computer and meant you didn't have to stare into the kitchen all the time.  I tried to create balance in the space with the furniture arrangement using the fireplace as a focal point.  Unfortunately, that lasted only a few months when she changed it back to what she used to have . . .  all the furniture in a line against the blank wall giving the room an awkward, cold, empty feeling as all the weight is on one side of the room with nothing on the other side.  So while her design may suite her needs, using the principle and elements of design created a much more inviting space.

About My Portfolio

The purpose of my portfolio is to showcase my projects and accomplishments, my talents and skills, my taste and personality.  It's not only for myself but future clients, employers, colleagues and friends.  I'm not sure yet what my overall style will be but I'm sure it will be fairly clean and simple which is reflective of my style and how I lead my life.  Years ago, I decided to simplify all aspects of my life.  My favorite color is green so I'm sure that will be incorporated somehow as well.


I do have a number of things to include at this point although they're mostly class projects:  architectural drawings and the art gallery I designed.  I have several design boards and while I haven't submitted them for any awards at this point, they have been selected to be posted in the hall at school.


As for real life projects, I'll be including pictures from my sister's remodel as well as the nursery for my nieces baby when complete.


I'm already self-employed so own my own company, however, I'm not sure if I'll play off that name or not.

Who am I as a Designer?

Who am I as a designer . . . . that's a good question.  I don't really consider myself a designer yet . . . well at least not one earning fees for their work.  In an informal sense, however, I guess I've been a designer for a long time.  Perhaps since I was a child and we sent the first man to the moon and I designed elaborate living spaces in spaceships for school projects.

As a designer, I don't know how I'd define myself just yet.  Do I want to concentrate in a specific area, or do I tend to want to design in a specific style?  I'm counting on the answers to those questions to reveal themselves as I continue my journey through school.  That said, however, I know the things I like.  


I love texture, whether it's fabric, wood, flooring surfaces or wall treatments.  I think a room without texture is not a very interesting one.  I also like color, although in looking through my closet you might not think that.  From a personal perspective I like colors with gray undertones.  To me that provides a warm, cozy feel.  However, when I see rooms with bold pops of color, particularly in a graphic, pattern I'm drawn to that as well.  I'm not sure I'm daring enough to use in my own personal space but I can see it in other's spaces.  As far as what I don't like, clutter is at the top of the list.  So much so that in my last 2 homes, I've treated my garage as a room and had the floors epoxied, walls painted and cabinets put in to hide any supplies making for a clean space!  


As I continue to explore the various areas of design as well as my own likes and dislikes, I'm hoping to determine who I am as a designer.