11 Design Principles

Table of contents

Proportion

Space

Size

Hierarchy

Contrast

Repetition

Variety

Balance

Alignment

Movement

Rithm

11 Design Principles

While there is much debate about just how many design principles there are (and even what they mean), there are a few that appear regularly and are far more consensual. Design principles are some rules that designers can follow when making a composition to style a creatively pleasing and functionally appropriate work.

The goal of those rules would be to convey the message in the absolute most organised and functional way possible.

Beyond all the experimentalism, which can be always welcome, it is essential to know the meaning of the fundamentals, the bases. Every piece of design includes a structure beneath the outer lining that supports it and makes it relevant, interesting and balanced. Beyond all the experimentalism, which can be always welcome, it is essential to know the meaning of the fundamentals, the bases. Every piece of design includes a structure beneath the outer lining that supports it and makes it relevant, interesting and balanced.

Proportion

Proportion defines the right relationship between elements and between elements and spaces. Applied well, as artists have done for centuries, it may evoke an expression of wholeness and fullness

Space

Proportion defines the right relationship between elements and between elements and spaces. Applied well, as artists have done for centuries, it may evoke an expression of wholeness and fullness

Size

Size is how large or small something is in terms of something else. It defines importance, creates visual interest through contrast and directs attention.

Hierarchy

Hierarchy is linked to the relative significance of elements in the design. The most important elements should certainly be seemingly the main and vice versa.agencia de webdesign

Contrast

Differentiated elements in a design should stand besides each other. One way to achieve this is through contrast. A good CONTRAST – which can be achieved using colour, tone, size, etc – allows you to guide the attention of the beholder in a natural way

Repetition

Differentiated elements in a design should stand besides each other. One way to achieve this is through contrast. A good CONTRAST – which can be achieved using colour, tone, size, etc – allows you to guide the attention of the beholder in a natural way

Variety

Height+Width=Shape. All of us know the basic shapes: squares, triangles, rectangles and circles. Less banal or even extravagant shapes can be utilized to attract attention. There are three main ones: geometric (mentioned), natural (leaves, people, etc.) and abstract (stylisations, icons, etc.)

Balance

Proximity provides visual unity in a design. If two elements are related to each other, they should be positioned close together. As a result, visual clutter is reduced and organisation enhanced, thus increasing the viewer's understanding.

Alignment

Proper alignment in a design implies that any element present should really be visually connected to another. It offers coherence; nothing looks out of place or confusing whenever a good alignment has been applied.

Movement

Movement guides the viewer's eye through the design. Emphasis and positioning can guide in one element to a different by focusing and leading where it's most important.

Rithm

The area between elements can make an expression of rhythm that can be utilized to produce a number of sensations, such as for example calm – with a regular rhythm – or excitement – with an irregular rhythm.

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