The 10 Principles of Design
Here are some basic principles of design that you must know before starting designing.
- Contrast
- Balance
- Emphasis
- Proportion
- Hierarchy
- Repetition
- Rhythm
- Pattern
- White space
- Movement
Contrast
As a principle of art, contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements and effects. For example, light and dark colors, smooth and rough textures, large and small shapes. Contrast can be used to create variety, visual interest, and drama in an artwork.
Contrast refers to how different elements are in a design, particularly adjacent elements. These differences make various elements stand out. Contrast is also a very important aspect of creating an accessible design. Insufficient contrast can make text content in particular very difficult to read, especially for people with visual impairments.
Balance
As a principle of art, balance refers to the distribution of weight in a composition. While actual weight is a factor in sculpture and architecture, the principle of balance most often refers to the visual heaviness of shapes and forms in an artwork. An artwork’s balance affects the equality and tension of the composition and can lend a feeling of calm or chaos to the work.
Emphasis
Emphasis deals with the parts of a design that are meant to stand out. In most cases, this means the most important information the design is meant to convey. Emphasis can also be used to reduce the impact of certain information.
This is most apparent in instances where “fine print” is used for ancillary information in a design. Tiny typography tucked away at the bottom of a page carries much less weight than almost anything else in design, and is therefore de-emphasized.
Proportion
Proportion is the size relationship between the various parts of an artwork. Artists can use scale and proportion to create sensations such as depth, realism, disorientation, and drama.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy is another principle of design that directly relates to how well content can be processed by people using a website. It refers to the importance of elements within a design. The most important elements (or content) should appear to be the most important. Headings and subheadings should be formatted in a way that shows their importance in relation to each other as well as in relation to the title and body copy.
Repetition
Repetition is a great way to reinforce an idea. It’s also a great way to unify a design that brings together a lot of different elements. Repetition can be done in a number of ways: by repeating the same colors, typefaces, shapes, or other elements of a design.
Rhythm
Rhythm is a principle of design that suggests movement or action. Rhythm is usually achieved through the repetition of lines, shapes, colors, and more. It creates a visual tempo in artworks and provides a path for the viewer’s eye to follow.
Pattern
Patterns are nothing more than a repetition of multiple design elements working together. Wallpaper patterns are the most ubiquitous example of patterns that virtually everyone is familiar with. In design, however, patterns can also refer to set standards for how certain elements are designed. For example, top navigation is a design pattern that the majority of internet users have interacted with.
White space
White Space, negative space or blank space in graphic design refers to the space between each graphic element of your composition and it can have any color, texture, or patterns and it’s used by graphic designers to make breathe each element of the design layout and create emphasis on certain elements of the composition.
Movement
Visual movement is the principle of art used to create the impression of action in a work of art.
Movement can apply to a single component in a composition or to the whole composition at once. Visual movement is dependent on the other elements and principles of art. Rhythm, line, color, balance and space are all examples of elements and principles of art that can play a major role in developing movement in a work of art.
Congratulations! Now you’re a pro designer.
