The term “leed” was first used in 1968 when the American Architectural Association coined it as an acronym for Less, Embrace, Explore, Detail. Since then, this set of instructions has become known as the “four-rule leed” or simply “the four rules.”

This article will go into more detail about how to use these concepts in your design process but first let us discuss what makes up each rule. These are all part of what is know as the “l.e.e.d. principle.”

The l.e.e.d principles were created by Josef Neuhausen back in 1932 and have since been adopted and adapted by many different architects and students around the world. They are quite simple but very powerful lessons that anyone can apply to their own style and creativity. If you ever had the chance to learn some of these basics before, you probably already applied them unconsciously somewhere in your work. That is why we want to focus on bringing them out now.

I wanted to take a little break from talking about other aspects of graphic designing and theory and talk something more practical – how to put together an album! I will be creating my third album here so there should be no problem sticking along. All the files and resources will be linked at the bottom of the page.

History of l.e.e.d

The term l.e.e.d is short for layering element, enrichment difference, and emphasis placement. These are all components of strong design. When used together, they form an integral part of your design.

Layering elements in design is when you use textures, colors, shapes, or patterns to emphasize something about the product. For example, if the packaging for a new device features lots of text and illustrations, that is using layer up pattern – emphasizing information through art.

Enrichment differences are adding additional features to give people more things to do with your product. If your product can play music, it has feature of enrichment. Emphasis placement refers to how you position the item. If the product looks cool, then placement makes it look good.

These three concepts can be applied to any object- whether it is furniture, clothes, technology, or whatever. By incorporating these into your designs, you will create beautiful looking products that make a statement.

How to use l.e.e.d in your design

The second fundamental element of any good architectural style is layering, or as it’s more commonly known, “the l-e-a-d method.” Layer styles can be geometric, figurative, textural, or all three.

Geometric layers like lines and shapes are very effective at creating strong silhouettes and patterns that influence perception and mood. Figurative layers such as people or animals add depth and sense of space. Textured materials contribute rich color contrasts and emphasize surface qualities over volume. All three work together to create an effect that draws attention away from the eye and towards what lies beyond the layer.

In early 20th century architecture, there was a heavy reliance on this concept of layering. Even famous buildings like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater feature large slabs of natural stone set off by thin wooden beams and metal bars. Or take New York City’s Chrysler Building, which features lots of glass windows framed with ornate copper spires.

But today, layered designs have fallen out of fashion. Why? Probably because we’ve become so used to flat surfaces everywhere around us. Technology makes it easy to produce almost anything you want on a screen, even furniture!

It’s great to use technology when it serves our purposes, but if we lose sight of how beautiful natural forms really are then I think we’re going to run into some problems.

Tips for using l.e.e.d in your design

When used effectively, layering is one of the most powerful tools in visualizing and creating new shapes and patterns. Layer styles such as lines, circles, drops, and textures combine together to form shapes, patterns, and designs.

Layered shapes are very common in design. For example, look at the shape of an object or pattern formed by layers of paper, glass, metal, or plastic. Or consider how shadows create depth and intrigue within a space.

In both those cases, you can clearly see that layer upon layer of material was put into making the finished product. This technique is called layering.

Using layers in your own designing helps give your piece more detail, texture, and dimension. You will also find yourself reusing pieces and materials many times because they have run out!

There are several ways to use layered concepts in your design. Most designers agree that it is important to be familiar with solid colors first before moving onto gradients and other types of layering.

This article will talk about some easy tips for incorporating layers into your designs.

Examples of l.e.e.d in architecture

Many would consider architects to be creative individuals, but what is actually considered “creative” varies greatly depending on who you ask. For some, creating new forms and concepts is an integral part of the job, while others find designing spaces or environments more stimulating.

In fact, many feel that creativity is overrated! According as psychology theories like those mentioned above, being able to identify inspiration and patterns can help you create your own designs and features, which are therefore not seen as artistic necessarily.

However, the use of l.e.e.d in architectural design has been proven to enhance the overall aesthetics and quality of a building or space. Therefore, it is important to know how to apply this theory into your everyday work. Read on for several examples.

What is LEED?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy Efficiency through the Use of Technology. This is a certification program run by The U.S. Green Building Council.

The organization reviews and gives certifications to buildings and/or technologies that have shown to reduce energy consumption and save money for their owners. By requiring these qualities, they set a standard for efficiency that other companies can look up for guidance.

There are three different levels of LEED certification available:

Aquamarine – Beginners only. These types of projects do not require technology usage or expertise in green design.

Next chapter: How to use patterns in design

Now that you have some basic concepts of what is considered an element, how it is built, and how to identify pattern references, it’s time to move onto something more practical – using patterns as components in your designs!

Using patterns for inspiration comes down to two things: studying examples of patterns and looking at materials - or textures - within nature. Both of these can be applied to any style, not just those categorized as “pattern oriented”.

Texture is another fundamental concept in visual art. Artists often focus on exploring new textures by experimenting with different surfaces and material qualities. Looking into natural textures can help you find new ways to apply them in your own work.

This article will talk about several types of architectural patterns, look at some examples, and discuss why they are effective when used properly. But first, let us dive deeper into what makes up the structure of a building- the skeleton.

Tips for using patterns in design

There are many types of pattern used in architecture, but one of the most fundamental is the use of geometrical shapes or patterns. These can be repeated symmetrically or as an asymmetrical shape to give visual emphasis or break up the space- they’re called rhythmical patterns!

Rhythmical patterns play with your eye by starting with something familiar and then changing it slightly. This keeps your mind engaged and exploring the pattern, making it more interesting to look at.

There are several types of rhythms that you can apply geometry to include circles, squares, triangles, hexagons, and so forth.

Circle patterns are very common and easy to create. They can be drawn free form, like a circle wave, or a nested set where each inner circle has its own radius and is positioned within the next larger circle.

These types of patterns work well when applied to landscapes, nature designs, or any type of setting that feels calm and relaxed.

Landscapes with lots of circular structures feel comforting and serene. Like how the beach has large rolling waves and cool ocean currents. Settings like this make us feel comfortable and able to relax.

Square and rectangular patterns also work really well in interior spaces. Rooms with solid colors will not stand out unless there is some sort of pattern involved. A simple stripey wall would look good if it was lined up horizontally or vertically.

Examples of patterns in design

Pattern is defined as “an arrangement or configuration that recurs”, but most people refer to it as “the pattern matching process used for identification”. That definition makes more sense to us. When you look at something twice, your mind automatically compares what you see with what it was before and notes any changes.

This concept applies to lots of things; shapes are a perfect example of this. A circle is a shape that repeats itself, making it a pattern. So are squares and triangles. These all match one another because they have a center and radius or length.

It also works when repeating colors use different shades of color to create an effect. For instance, if you want to emphasize importance, use black with white, gray, or other very strong colors.

When designing anything, there are two main types of patterns involved: repetition and variety.

Repetition is when part of the material or image is repeated either physically or mentally. Variety means changing the element slightly or adding something new like typography. Both can be used together!

Examples of patterns in architecture include using rounded corners or square windows and doors, tall ceilings, heavy timber framing, and so forth. The way these patterns combine and compliment each other make designs come to life.

Overall, looking into the past for inspiration and applying those concepts to new projects is how newer designers learn about patterns.

Next chapter: Popular patterns to use in your design

As we have discussed, there are many recurring shapes and concepts in architecture and art. These are called motifs or patterns. Some of these patterns are very popular and can be used repeatedly in different designs.

Many famous styles such as Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Modernist contain specific patterns that make them recognizable. Looking at examples of these styles will help you identify which patterns they include!

This book is not meant to be an all-inclusive pattern guide, but rather a primer for some basic architectural concepts. Therefore, we will only discuss a few common patterns here. When you feel more confident with these patterns, you can move onto other books that talk about it more in depth.

Note: Many of these patterns apply both to individual elements and to entire architectures. This article will focus mostly on how to use the pattern inside of a design.