Principles of Design: The Magic of Line Direction

Using Principles of Design in Your Look

Lines are the building blocks of visual art. You are a walking work of art. Using principles of design, you can evoke a specific feeling, create a sense of movement or stability, and guide the viewers eye. Your look is an artistic composition; let’s talk about artistic principles.

By the way, we explore all kinds of principles of design you can apply to getting dressed when you take your style discovery journey with me. There’s always more! Find out more at the Your Journey tab. Everything I do is for the purpose of creating harmony between who you are on the inside and what people see when they see you.

What made me think of line direction this week is actually the fact that it’s time to get my Chacos out. I have worn them a couple of times just to toughen up my feet after being in full shoes all winter, but I haven’t painted my toenails yet so I’m not wearing them daily. 

I remember the first time I saw Chacos. It was love at first sight. At a wedding here in the great Northwest, several of the young adult family members were wearing them. Instantly I recognized the diagonal strap pattern as more flattering than most sports sandals and bought a pair as soon as I got home. 

I would even call them elegant, although I debated that years ago with well-known stylist Imogen Lamport without convincing her. But, let me tell you, out here in the great Northwest, and many other parts of the United States, Chacos go everywhere. Nearly everywhere.

So let’s talk about line direction.

Principles of Design: Types of Line Direction

Types of line direction:

1. Vertical lines imply strength and alertness, power and formality
2. Horizontal lines suggest calmness, stability, and peace
3. Diagonal lines give the feeling of dynamic movement, restlessness, and tension. I also call them the magic line and I will come back to that.
4. Curved lines convey softness,fluidity, and grace
5. Jagged lines are kinda aggressive, almost scary

Leading and Implied Lines

Line direction in artistic composition:

1. Leading lines: artists use lines to direct the viewer’s eye across the artwork. 
2. Implied lines: Lines that are not explicitly drawn but created by the placement of objects, for example, a row of buttons creates an implied line

Principles of Design: Using Line in Your Outfits

Ways you can use the concept of line direction in your outfits:

1. Use the type of line that relates to the feeling you are trying to convey
   1. Vertical, that is up-and-down, for strength and alertness, power and formality
   2. Horizontal for calmness, stability, and peace
   3. Diagonal for the feeling of dynamic movement
   4. Curved lines for softness, flow, and grace
   5. Mostly I don’t recommend jagged lines, but if you choose to use them do it intentionally, knowing they feel a little harsh to most people. Like fangs 😂
2. Use line to widen or lengthen in a specific spot. This includes lines that are formed by where one garment visually meets another on your body
   1. A vertical line will lengthen vertically. It can also be used to break up visual width
   2. A horizontal line will widen horizontally. It can also be used to break up visual length
   3. A diagonal line is sort of magic. It does the work of a vertical line and a horizontal line at the same time. That’s why Chacos  make your feet look better
3. Use line to direct the eye where you want it to go in the composition. In your outfit, that is your face!

Now, into the lab! Try on some clothes, either in your closet or at the store, and see if you can spot these concepts in action. Or, if you don’t have the energy for a big try-on, that’s OK; try looking for these ideas when you’re watching a show. Thanks so much for being here for this show! I hope you enjoyed this mini art lesson and I will meet you back here again real soon.