• Archives of design research
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• v.18 no.4 s.62
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• pp.277-286
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to ascertain the design element in traditional palaces of Korea, China and Japan. It takes threesteps to proceed this study. Firstly, it needs to be established the analysis framework from the documents. In second step, the design elements - the form, the material, the pattern and the color - should be collected and investigated through the observation of the actual traditional palaces the Changduckung, the Forbidden City, the Nijo castle. The third step is the analysis of the results of the investigation of the design elements from step two. To sum up similarities and dissimilarities among the design element in traditional palaces of Korea, China and Japan is as the following It is to be noticed that the mainly common characteristics of the artistic design are 'naturalism', 'harmonious ideas' and 'confucianism'. But the representation style of the design element is differed from the country. : The typical features of China are symmetry, glassy surface by artificial process, the meandered curve, the magnificent pattern and the constrable color. In Japan, the mathematical asymmetry, made-up rough surface by artificial skill, decorativepattern with abbreviation and achromatic color are important feature of the design element. While the major features of Korean design element are asymmetrical balance with nature, rough surface by natural process, moderate pattern and harmonious color.