Design Principles
Fundamental Design Principles
Every designer should be working with fundamental design principles when designing his or her work. Just like any scientist learns the basics of maths to apply them to things that are hundred times more complicated, a designer should make his work derive from the basics.
Most of you are probably aware of Behance network where individuals can showcase and discuss their projects. Most of you are probably using the network for finding inspiration. Today I’m going to explain the design principles to you with examples from the featured projects on Behance.
Contrast
Contrasting elements used in the design are vital to creating a good design. If contrast is applied, the eye is dragged to elements, it’s guided. It’s so obvious that there’s really nothing to add. Every artwork should have contrasting elements.
Unity
Every design should look right and no element of design should be isolated in terms of style. Unity is when every element belongs to the artwork, so there are no colors that don’t match, no elements that don’t feel like they belong.
Some people usually call Unity the Unity ofStyle. Unity can be obtained by using popular color schemes as well as resembling shapes and forms together.
3.5 Inch Poster
Variety
Variety makes the Unity look more interesting and unique. With Variety, the design looks alive and breathing.
Variety can be achieved by using unrecognized patterns in a recognized patterns if that makes sense. Adding magenta to a black picture is going to attract viewers due to the variety and alternative to black that magenta color provides.
Cote a Cote
Sabdiasep Mercado
Harmony
Although seeming very similar to Unity, Harmony is different. Using abstract terms, Unity makes sure that the design elements speak the same language, whereas Harmony provides understanding between them. Harmony doesn’t have anything to do with style but aesthetics.
Harmony is achieved through the right use of Variety and Unity.
Harmony was a very important part of art movement in the European Renaissance of 14-16th centuries, with classical artists like Rafael, Leonardo da Vinci paying much attention to it.
Proportion
Proportion is the relationship between size of different elements of design but is also viewed in terms of difference between the design and the item it’s placed on, say a page. Using 5% of the page for the elements with 95% left blank is also a use of proportion in design.
Proportionate or disproportionate elements give the design variety and attract attention. It is very important not to make every element be of the same size in the design.
Emphasis
Emphasis is when a design guides the eye of a viewer to make him look where the designer wanted him to. The Emphasis organizes the design and chooses the center point of it.
Emphasising can be achieved through contrast to anything else at the artwork with the use of color, shape, size etc.
No Smoking
Nordic
Repetition
Repetition is a most obvious principle of design. Repetition is when things are repeated (duh).
Repetition became very popular after Andy Warhol’s Marily Monroe portraits and introduction of the Pop Art. Using Repetition wisely with variety and contrast makes a great design.
Cloning
Balance
Balanced design calms down and feel right. Using symmetry or asymmetry both in aligning or shaping is vital in processing a good design composition.
Composing a balanced out design means working with mathematical or geometrical units such as golden ratio. A balanced out composition gives the design a perfect look.
Evian
Balance Example 2
The principles of design are very vital and every design should be deriving from those. I hope the examples made it easier for you to understand those principles. Whether using all of them or only one, never forget about the basics.
See you next time!
