Lesson 3 : Elements and Principles Applicable to Garments
Colour
Colour is most versatile and strikingly visible element of design. It adds to the life ‘the zing’ in terms of physical and psychological effects on the wearer as well as the observer. It speaks and attracts the consumer to the store for purchase more than style and texture. It is the first art element, even before style, that makes one to pause at a particular garment on a store rack. The colour reflects the personality characteristics and mood of the wearer. Besides this, the colour in apparels creates optical illusion, thereby helping the wearer to camouflage the undesirable features and to build his false figure image.
Colour is the result of physical phenomenon (reflection of light waves) and its perception by the interaction of eye nerves and brain. Colour has three characteristics namely, hue, value and intensity. Among different characteristics, value is most critical; refers to the relationship between lightness and darkness of a surface or object and gives objects depth and perception; also referred to as tone.
Colours can be classified as
cool and warm (Fig 3.6)
advancing and receding (Fig 3.6)
primary(Fig 3.7), secondary(Fig 3.8) and tertiary(Fig 3.9)
Participants