Concept of Garment Design and Principles of Design for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Fashion Design and Garment Making
Curriculum Theme: Introduction to fashion design and
Focal competence: Use elements and principles of garment design
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; ICT and Digital Competencies; Digital Competencies

Skills:

• Drawing of different lines and shapes e.g. straight, curved etc
• Drawing of colour triangle and colour wheel

Previous Lesson: Career Opportunities in Garment Making Tailoring and Fashion Design
Topic: Elements And Principles Of Garment Design
Subject Matter: Concept of garment design, Principles of design

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Explain the concept of garment design.
• State the principles of design.
• Identify features of quality garments.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of design principles in garment creation.
• Participate actively in group discussions on factors influencing fashion and garment design.

Psychomotor Domain

• Draw different lines and shapes relevant to garment design.
• Draw a colour triangle and a colour wheel.

Social Domain

• Collaborate effectively with peers during group activities.
• Share findings from internet research with the class.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Fashion Design and Garment Making for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts on colour wheel
• Charts on colour triangle
• Charts showing various garment shapes
• Samples of garments
• Students’ uniforms
• Internet-enabled devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, computers) for research
• Whiteboard or chalkboard
• Markers or chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces students to the fundamental concepts of garment design and the principles that govern it. Understanding these principles is essential for creating aesthetically pleasing and functional garments, laying a strong foundation for future practical work in fashion design and garment making. It also helps students appreciate the thought process behind clothing choices and design.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of clothing and its general purpose, as well as an understanding of simple shapes and colours.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Elements And Principles Of Garment Design

Concept of Garment Design

Garment design is the art and process of creating clothing. It involves applying aesthetic and functional considerations to develop garments that are both visually appealing and practical for wear. This process includes understanding the purpose of the garment, selecting appropriate fabrics, taking accurate measurements, using correct tools, ensuring safe handling of materials, and achieving neat construction.

Designers decide what type of garment to create by considering several factors:

1. Garment Purpose: Is it for casual wear, formal occasions, sports, work, or protection? The intended use dictates the style, fabric, and construction.
2. Target Audience: Who will wear the garment? Age, gender, lifestyle, and cultural preferences influence design choices.
3. Current Fashion Trends: Designers often draw inspiration from prevailing fashion trends while also aiming to create unique and innovative pieces.
4. Fabric Behaviour: Different fabrics drape, stretch, and hold shape differently. Designers select fabrics that complement their design vision and the garment’s purpose.
5. Accurate Measurement: Precise measurements are crucial for creating well-fitting garments that are comfortable and flattering.
6. Tools and Equipment: The availability and proper use of design and construction tools influence what can be created.
7. Safe Handling: Ensuring safe handling of materials and tools during the design and construction process is paramount for both the designer and the wearer.
8. Neat Construction: High-quality stitching, finishing, and overall construction contribute to the garment’s durability, appearance, and value.

Principles of Design

The principles of design are guidelines used to arrange the elements of design (like line, shape, colour, texture) in an effective and pleasing way. They help create a cohesive and balanced garment. Key principles include:

1. Emphasis: This principle involves creating a focal point or centre of interest in a garment. It draws the eye to a specific area, such as a unique collar, an intricate embroidery, or a bold colour block. Emphasis can be achieved through contrast in colour, texture, size, or placement.
2. Harmony: Harmony refers to the pleasing combination of all parts of a design to create a unified whole. It ensures that all elements – lines, shapes, colours, and textures – work well together without clashing. A harmonious design feels complete and balanced.
3. Balance: Balance in garment design refers to the distribution of visual weight within the garment. It can be symmetrical (identical on both sides, like a traditional shirt) or asymmetrical (different on each side but still visually balanced, like a one-shoulder top). Balance ensures the garment does not appear heavier or lopsided in one area.
4. Proportion: Proportion deals with the relationship of the sizes of different parts of a garment to each other and to the whole. It ensures that all parts are scaled appropriately, creating a visually pleasing and flattering silhouette. For example, the length of a skirt relative to a top, or the size of a pocket relative to the garment.
5. Rhythm: Rhythm is the repetition or progression of design elements to create a sense of movement and flow. This can be achieved through repeating patterns, colours, or lines, or through a gradual change in size or direction. Examples include pleats, gathers, or a series of buttons.
6. Unity: Unity is the sense of completeness and belonging among all parts of a design. It means that all elements and principles are working together to support the main idea of the garment. A unified design feels cohesive and well-thought-out.
7. Contrast: Contrast is the use of opposing elements to create visual interest and emphasis. This could be light against dark, rough against smooth, or large against small. It helps to prevent a design from being monotonous.

Features of Quality Garments

Quality garments exhibit characteristics that reflect good design, construction, and durability. These features include:

1. Accurate Fit: The garment fits the wearer correctly, neither too tight nor too loose, allowing for comfortable movement.
2. Neat Stitching: Stitches are even, secure, and appropriate for the fabric and seam type. There are no loose threads or skipped stitches.
3. Durable Fabric: The fabric is of good quality, suitable for the garment’s purpose, and resistant to wear and tear.
4. Well-Finished Seams: Raw edges are properly finished (e.g., overlocked, turned and stitched) to prevent fraying and enhance durability.
5. Functional Fastenings: Zippers, buttons, hooks, and other fastenings are securely attached and operate smoothly.
6. Matching Patterns: If the fabric has a pattern, it is carefully matched at seams and closures for a continuous look.
7. Appropriate Interfacings and Linings: These are used where necessary to provide structure, support, and comfort, and are correctly inserted.
8. Even Hems: Hems are straight, even, and securely stitched, contributing to the garment’s overall finish.
9. Comfort: The garment is comfortable to wear, with no irritating seams or tight areas.
10. Aesthetic Appeal: The garment is visually pleasing, reflecting good application of design principles.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Group Work, Individual Practice, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to observe their uniforms and other garments they are wearing. The teacher then asks: “What makes some clothes look better or more interesting than others?” and “What do you think designers consider when making clothes?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions, sharing their initial thoughts and observations about clothing aesthetics.

Learning Point: Introduction to garment appeal

Step 2: Concept of Garment Design Explained

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of garment design, highlighting it as an art and process. The teacher discusses how designers decide what type of garment to create, focusing on factors like purpose, fabric behaviour, accurate measurement, tools, safe handling, and neat construction. The teacher uses samples of garments to illustrate these points.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the garment samples, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Garment design definition

Step 3: Internet Research on Garment Design

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Research/ICT Integration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to search the internet using their devices for different garment designs and examples of design principles in action. The teacher provides keywords like “fashion design examples,” “principles of design in clothing,” “garment purpose examples.”

Pupils’ Activity: Students use their internet-enabled devices to research and identify various garment designs and how design principles are applied.

Learning Point: Online design exploration

Step 4: Introduction to Principles of Design

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the principles of design: Emphasis, Harmony, Balance, Proportion, Rhythm, Unity, and Contrast. Using charts and samples of garments (including students’ uniforms), the teacher demonstrates how each principle is applied in actual clothing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the charts and garment samples, relating the explanations to what they see. They may identify examples of principles on their own uniforms.

Learning Point: Design principles identification

Step 5: Group Discussion on Factors Influencing Design

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Facilitation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into groups and guides them to discuss factors that influence fashion and garment design, drawing from their research and the teacher’s explanation. Each group is tasked with identifying how purpose, fabric, measurement, and construction affect design choices.

Pupils’ Activity: Students discuss in their groups, sharing insights and consolidating their understanding of influencing factors. Each group prepares to present their findings.

Learning Point: Factors influencing design

Step 6: Drawing Lines, Shapes, and Colour Wheels

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Demonstration/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly demonstrates how to draw different lines (straight, curved, zig-zag) and basic garment shapes. The teacher also shows how to draw a simple colour triangle and colour wheel, using the prepared charts as reference.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice drawing various lines, shapes, and the basic colour triangle and wheel in their notebooks.

Learning Point: Basic drawing skills

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is garment design?
2. Mention three principles of design.
3. How do designers decide what type of garment to create?
4. State two features of a quality garment.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding design concepts

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the concept of garment design, principles of design, and features of quality garments into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of understanding garment design and its principles for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing clothing. The teacher encourages students to observe clothing around them with a designer’s eye.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the lesson’s main points.

Learning Point: Design concept reinforcement

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Answer the following questions and complete the drawing tasks in your notebook.

1. Define garment design in your own words.
2. Choose any three principles of design and explain how they can be applied to a simple dress.
3. List five features you would look for to determine if a garment is of good quality.
4. Draw a simple colour wheel and label the primary and secondary colours.
5. Sketch three different types of lines (e.g., straight, curved, zig-zag) and two basic garment shapes (e.g., A-line, rectangular).

Lesson Keywords

• Garment Design – The art and process of creating clothing.
• Emphasis – A focal point in a design.
• Harmony – Pleasing combination of design elements.
• Balance – Distribution of visual weight in a design.
• Proportion – Relationship of sizes of parts to the whole.
• Rhythm – Repetition or progression creating movement.
• Unity – Sense of completeness in a design.
• Contrast – Use of opposing elements for interest.

Differentiation

For students who grasp concepts quickly, encourage them to research specific fashion designers and identify how they apply design principles in their collections. Provide additional drawing exercises for lines, shapes, and colour theory. For students needing more support, offer simplified explanations, provide more direct guidance during internet research, and pair them with stronger students for group discussions. Use more visual aids and real-life examples to reinforce understanding.

Suggested Lesson Videos

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