Apparel Designing and Construction

Apparel Designing and Construction 3(1+2)

Lesson 9 : Rhythm

Effects of Rhythm

Rhythm as a principle of design incorporates a sense of order or a feeling of easy movement of eye and a quality of gracefulness in the garment. It affects the arrangement of lines, forms or colors in a design that may create an organized smooth movement and thus appear rhythmic or it may be very restless, distracting and blocking in rhythm. The rhythm in garment produces the following effects:

• influence the apparent body size of the wearer by its direction and dynamics
• provide psychological satisfaction to the wearer
• continuous smooth rhythm create calm effect while jerky and irregular rhythm create exiting effect

Types of Rhythm

1. Regular: The regular rhythm is obtained by the normal repetition of lines and shapes (Fig. 9.2) in the garment in a specific sequence without altering any character of elements. This type of rhythm is introduced by linear principles like parallelism, sequence, radiation and alternation.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Graduated: The graduated rhythm is achieved on repetition of lines and shapes with gradual increase or decrease in a specific character of elements like, the thickness of line, enlargement of shape (Fig. 9.3), tints and shade of colours, etc. This type of rhythm is introduced by linear and highlighting principles like concentricity, gradation
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Random: The random rhythm is obtained by the irregular repetition of lines and shapes (Fig. 9.4) in the garment without any sequence and may or may not involve alteration in any character of elements.
   
   
   
   

Creating Rhythm in Garments

The rhythm can be introduced in the garment by use of elements of design according to linear principles. The structural seams incorporated by means of darts, edge finishing, gathers, pleats, etc. create graceful rhythms in a garment. Pleats or tucks produce regular rhythm, scalloped edges in tiered skirt produce graduated rhythm and shirring, gathers, smoking produce random but intricate rhythm in a garment. Beside this, the applied means of decoration like ruffles, laces, embroidery stitches, etc. incorporate different type of rhythmic movements in the garment. Sometimes the decorative trims in a design helps to reinforce the structural rhythm in the garment. If the rhythm in garment conveys the personal characteristics of the wearer, the psychological impact of it is more prominent.