Understanding the Principles of Design | Graphic Design Basic
Summary
TLDRThis lesson explores fundamental design principles to create visually appealing and effective compositions. It delves into emphasis, using contrast, white space, and movement to direct the viewer's attention. The importance of repetition for rhythm and consistency, proportion for realistic relationships, and balance for stability or dynamism is highlighted. Finally, alignment is discussed as a means to establish structure and order, ensuring a professional finish to any design.
Takeaways
- šØ Emphasis is the element in a design that stands out, often through size, boldness, or brightness, to attract attention first.
- š² Contrast is a fundamental design principle that uses differences in color, texture, or size to create interest and highlight key elements.
- š White space is the unoccupied area in design that contributes to clarity, grouping, and emphasis, and is not limited to the color white.
- š Movement directs the viewer's eyes through the design, following a path created by lines and colors to guide attention to different elements.
- š Repetition in design can create patterns, rhythm, and consistency, using repeated elements to reinforce a message or theme.
- š Proportion is about the relative size and quantity of elements in a design, ensuring a balanced and harmonious composition.
- āļø Balance refers to the arrangement of elements in a design to create a sense of stability, which can be achieved symmetrically or asymmetrically.
- š Alignment is crucial for a professional look, establishing relationships between elements and the design's axes to provide structure and order.
- šļø The viewer's perception of a design can be influenced by the intentional use of unbalanced elements to create a sense of unease or tension.
- š Understanding and applying these design principles will become second nature over time, enhancing the effectiveness of one's own designs.
- š The script serves as a reminder of the importance of these principles, encouraging designers to test them out in their work for better results.
Q & A
What are the basic design elements mentioned in the script?
-The basic design elements mentioned are lines, shapes, form, text, and color.
What is emphasis in design and why is it important?
-Emphasis is when one element in a design stands out, often being bigger, bolder, or brighter than its surroundings. It is important because it directs the viewer's attention to the parts of the design that are most significant.
How does contrast contribute to a design?
-Contrast adds interest to a design by using differences between elements, such as color, texture, and size. It helps to create emphasis and make certain elements stand out.
Can you give an example of how contrast is used in the script?
-An example given is the text 'Mingbau Restaurant' which uses bold and bright typography against a black background to create emphasis through contrast.
What is white space in design and what are its benefits?
-White space refers to areas in a design that are not occupied by other elements. It provides breathing space, helps with emphasis, and improves legibility, making the design easier to look at.
How does movement in a design affect the viewer's perception?
-Movement guides the viewer's eyes across the design, following one element to the next in a certain order. It can create a sense of direction and engagement with the design.
What is repetition in design and how does it contribute to the overall look?
-Repetition involves using the same element multiple times in a design. It can create patterns, rhythms, and consistency, making the design look more structured and unified.
How does the script explain the importance of proportion in design?
-Proportion is about the size and quantity of elements in relation to each other. It ensures that the design does not feel heavy, lopsided, or off, maintaining a sense of balance and harmony.
What are the two types of balance mentioned in the script?
-The two types of balance mentioned are symmetrical balance, which is when elements are mirrored, and asymmetrical balance, where elements are balanced in a non-mirrored, dynamic way.
How does alignment affect the professional appearance of a design?
-Alignment helps establish relationships between elements and provides structure and order to the design. Proper alignment makes the design look intentional and well-planned, enhancing its professional appearance.
What is the final design principle discussed in the script and why is it important?
-The final principle is alignment, which is important because it helps to build relationships between objects and the axes of the design, contributing to a sense of order and professionalism.
Outlines
šØ Design Elements and Principles
This paragraph introduces the fundamental design elements such as lines, shapes, form, text, and color, and delves into the key design principles necessary for creating impactful designs. It emphasizes the importance of the first element noticed in a design, which is often the one with emphasis, standing out through size, boldness, or brightness. Techniques like contrast, movement, and white space are highlighted as methods to create emphasis. Contrast is explored through differences in color, pattern, and size, while white space is discussed as an essential element for clarity and emphasis, not limited to the color white. Movement is described as the natural progression of the viewer's eye through the design, guided by lines and color. Repetition is also touched upon as a way to create consistency, patterns, and rhythm in design.
š Proportion, Balance, and Alignment in Design
The second paragraph focuses on the principles of proportion, balance, and alignment in design. Proportion is discussed in terms of the size and quantity of elements and their relation to one another to prevent a design from feeling off or unstable. Balance is approached by considering the positioning of objects and the inclusion of white space, with elements being weighed for their visual impact. Symmetrical and asymmetrical balance are explained, with the former providing a sense of security and the latter offering a dynamic and interesting composition. Unbalanced design is also mentioned as a technique to evoke unease. Alignment is presented as a means to establish relationships between elements and to provide structure and order to a design, with options for edge or center alignment and the importance of aligning objects to one another for a cohesive look.
Mindmap
Keywords
š”Design Elements
š”Emphasis
š”Contrast
š”White Space
š”Movement
š”Repetition
š”Proportion
š”Balance
š”Alignment
š”Texture
š”Legibility
Highlights
Basic design elements include lines, shapes, form, text, and color.
Emphasis in design is achieved by making one element stand out through size, boldness, or brightness.
Contrast is created by differences in elements such as color, texture, and size.
Contrast adds interest and emphasis in design by using opposing elements.
White space in design refers to unoccupied areas that improve legibility and prevent overcrowding.
White space can be of any color and provides breathing space in a design.
Movement in design is the visual path our eyes follow from one element to the next.
Repetition in design can create patterns, rhythms, and consistency.
Proportion in design is about the size and quantity of elements in relation to each other.
Balance in design involves the positioning of objects to create symmetry or asymmetry.
Alignment in design helps establish relationships between elements and contributes to a professional look.
Unbalanced design can be used as a technique to create unease or tension in a viewer.
Design principles can be applied to create emphasis, contrast, white space, movement, repetition, proportion, balance, and alignment.
The text 'Mingbau Restaurant' uses bold and bright type to contrast with the black background, emphasizing the information.
Contrast can be seen in the white ring around a black circle and white lines framing dark pictures.
Photographic textures provide contrast with plain elements, such as the 3D detail of seeds on a burger bun.
Repetition of a single object, like a watermelon, can create a pattern in design.
Repetition of text can keep a design minimal while focusing on the message.
Alignment can be edge or center, and it helps in structuring and ordering a design.
Transcripts
Lines, shapes, form, text, andĀ color are basic design elements,Ā
but how do we bring them together?
In this lesson, we introduce key designĀ principles so you can create with confidence.
What's the first thing you see in any design?
We'll give you a hint.
It's the element that's emphasized.
Emphasis is when one element stands out.
It may be bigger, bolder, orĀ brighter than anything around it.
We add emphasis to the parts of ourĀ design we'd like people to notice first.
Contrast, movement and white space areĀ some techniques that create emphasis.
Let's run through these one by one.
At its most basic level, contrast is difference.
It's the difference between red andĀ blue, patterned and plain, big and small.
Contrasting elements are opposite elements.
They make designs interestingĀ and is used to add emphasis.
Color, texture, and lines are a fewĀ elements that help us to build contrast.
We contrast dark with lightĀ colors or thick with thin lines.
Here we can see many examplesĀ of contrast in a single image.
The text 'Mingbau Restaurant' is theĀ most important piece of information.Ā Ā
That's why it pops with bold and bright type.Ā
This contrasts with the blackĀ background to emphasize the text.
Where else do you see contrast?
How about the white ringĀ surrounding the black circleĀ
or the white lines framing the dark pictures?
The photographs provide furtherĀ contrast through texture.Ā
The tactile 3D detail of seeds on a burger bunĀ
or steam rising from a hot dish also contrasts with the plain, black circle.
White space applies to any area ofĀ design not taken up by other elements
such as text, photos, or illustrations.
Designers love it because it can help createĀ grouping, add emphasis, and improve legibility.
Contrary to the name, white spaceĀ doesn't just apply to the color white.
Even if our design is blue or yellow,Ā we can still have white space.Ā
It often refers to the background of the design.
Even with a picture in the background, youĀ could still have the benefits of white space.
What we're looking for is an empty patchĀ that gives our design breathing space.
We use white space to prevent our pageĀ becoming overcrowded with elements.
It makes our design easier to look at.
White space also helps with emphasis.
In this picture, there's so much white space we're instantly drawn towards the words.Ā
The information is deliveredĀ quickly, thanks to white space.
There's plenty of movement in a still image.
Movement is the way our eyes scan the page.
It's how we follow one element to the next.
Line and color direct us towards certainĀ parts of the design in a certain order.
In this book cover, simple shapes andĀ contrasting colors direct our eyes to the center.Ā
Then we notice a semi-circle in theĀ corner which represents the sun.Ā
Doesn't it look like the sun is poised to moveĀ across the square or maybe out of it altogether?
There are many ways to achieve movement.
Through contrasting white on black, our eyes areĀ first drawn to the title of the classic book coverĀ
then we make our way down the page to spot the shark lurking beneath.
The empty space prompts our eyesĀ to move between these bold elementsĀ
only later do we drift back up to takeĀ a closer look at the little object.Ā
Will the swimmer make her escapeĀ before the shark moves into her space?
Repetition can bring artistry to our design.Ā
It can make our design look consistent,Ā build a pattern, or emphasize our message.
Let's start with patterns.
If we take a watermelon and repeat this objectĀ until it covers the page, we've made a pattern.Ā
This pattern can add textureĀ or provide a background.Ā
Repeating text will keep our design minimal. This means we can focus on the message usingĀ Ā
subtler elements such as color andĀ space to give the words their meaning.
Repetition also gives ourĀ design a sense of rhythm.Ā
In the same way music gives us a predictableĀ beat, repetition gives us a visual beat.Ā
Using elements in a repeated order givesĀ our design a clean and well-structured look.
If something is out ofĀ proportion, it might fall over.Ā
That's how we think about theĀ size and quantity of our elementsĀ
and how they relate to each other.
This stops our design feelingĀ heavy, lopsided, or generally off.
When creating a design that features a cup of tea,Ā a spoon, and a book, we need to make sure the cupĀ Ā
is bigger than the spoon and the bookĀ should be the biggest object of all.
No matter how many objects or elements weĀ use, they should always be proportionate.
Once we have our objectsĀ or elements in proportion,Ā Ā
it's time to look at how they're balanced.
Balance is how we positionĀ objects inside our design.Ā
It can also include the amount of whiteĀ space compared to other design elements.
One way to master balance is to thinkĀ of each element as having a weight.
From text boxes to images to blocks of color, consider each of their sizes, shapes,Ā
and what weight they have in relationĀ to other elements on the page.
We can also balance our elementsĀ symmetrically or asymmetrically.
Symmetrical balance gives ourĀ design a sense of security.
Our viewer feels safe knowing ourĀ design has been well-structuredĀ Ā
and everything looks like it's in the right place.
It's safe, but can also be a bit boring.
Asymmetrical balance is where elementsĀ are not balanced in exactly the same way.
For instance, one side ofĀ the composition might haveĀ Ā
a large emphasized element that is balanced byĀ a couple of lesser elements on the other side.
It's still balanced, but it's notĀ mirrored like in the symmetrical example.
This makes it a little moreĀ dynamic and interesting.
Unbalanced design can be itsĀ own design technique too.
For example, when we want to make our viewerĀ Ā
feel like something isn't quite right, weĀ make our design look unsteady on purpose.
This is great for unnerving theĀ viewer like on a horror movie poster.
Balance is one of the most important principles.
The final principle to discuss is alignment.
Some people suggest alignment pairs with balance.Ā
As by aligning elements, it canĀ help designs feel more balanced.
Alignment focuses on the relationships betweenĀ elements, giving structure and order to designs.Ā
You can have edge or center alignment.Ā
Edge alignment can see objects relating toĀ the left, right, top, or bottom of the page.Ā
Center alignment sees objects sticking toĀ the middle either horizontally or verticallyĀ Ā
or both if you want it right inĀ the middle of both X and Y axes.
Objects can also be aligned to each otherĀ where they both sit on the same X or Y axis.Ā
This implies these objects haveĀ a relationship to each otherĀ Ā
and therefore should be understood together.
Alignment is incredibly important if you want yourĀ design work to feel professional and finished.Ā
Having objects that are not aligned to each otherĀ makes your design look random and unplanned.
We've learned a number of designĀ principles in this lesson.Ā
Soon it will become second nature asĀ you work them into your own designs.Ā
But until then, we'll give you a reminderĀ of the theory you've learned today.
Emphasis is the way oneĀ element stands out on the page.
Contrast is the differenceĀ between two or more elementsĀ Ā
such as bright and dark colorsĀ or big and small objects.
White space prevents our pageĀ becoming overcrowded with elements.Ā Ā
It's the breathing space on theĀ page and it can be any color.Ā
Movement is the way our eyes are directedĀ to scan from one element to the next.
Repetition can bring patternsĀ or rhythms into our designs.
Proportion is the size or quantity of ourĀ design elements in relation to each other.
Balance is how we position those multiple objectsĀ Ā
and how we can make the overallĀ design symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Alignment is building relationshipsĀ between objects and the X and Y axis.Ā
Test out each principle in your next design evenĀ if you're only using one word on a background.
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