the principles of design the structures behind improved print design

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNThe Structures Behind Improved Print Design

• The elements and principles of design are the building blocks used to create

• The elements of design can be thought of as the things that make up a layout

• Good or bad - all layouts will contain most of if not all, the seven elements of design

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

• Line can be considered in two ways:

• the linear marks made with a design toolor the edge created when two shapes meet

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: THE LINE

• A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form

• A positive shape in a design automatically creates a negative shape (aka white space)

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: SHAPE

• All lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique.

• Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquillity.

• Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness

• Oblique suggests movement and action

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: DIRECTION

• Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another

• Size can denote importance

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: SIZE

• Texture is perceived surface quality

• Print design largely uses implied texture (the surface of an object looks like it feels. The texture may look rough, fizzy, gritty, but cannot actually be felt)

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: TEXTURE

• aka swatches (in InDesign)• Considered to be the most

expressive element• Can create illusion of depth• Can draw attention to a

particular part• Increases visual appeal• Complementary colours help

create contrast• Monochromatic colours are tints

and shades of the same colour• Warm colours: reds, yellows,

oranges• Cool colours: blues, greens,

and purples

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: COLOUR

PRIMARY COLOURS

SECONDARYCOLOURS

TERTIARYCOLOURS

COMPLIMENTARYCOLOURS

TRIADCOLOURS

ANALOGOUSCOLOURS

• aka tone• Value is lightness or

darkness of a colour• Add black to a pure

colour to create a shade

• Add white to a pure colour to create a tint

• Value gives objects depth and perception

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: VALUE

• The 3fs (FFF)

• Form Follows Function• (what it looks like is not as

important as the job it is supposed to accomplish)

• A layout should help NOT hinder the message

• It should be transparent in nature (ie. your viewer should not be remarking on the layout, but rather focusing on the content)

THE #1 RULE OF PRINT DESIGN

• The Principles of design can be thought of as what we do to the elements of design

• How we apply the Principles of design determines how successful we are in creating layout

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

• Balance in design is similar to balance in physics

• A large shape close to the center can be balanced by a small shape close to the edge

• A large light toned shape will be balanced by a small dark toned shape (as the darker the shape the heavier it appears to be)

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: BALANCE

NOT USINGBALANCECREATIVELY

USINGBALANCE

• Gradation of size and direction produce linear perspective.

• Gradation of colour from warm to cool and tone from dark to light produce aerial perspective.

• Gradation can add interest and movement to a shape. A gradation from dark to light will cause the eye to move along a shape.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: GRADATION

GRADATIONS

GRADATION EXAMPLE

• Where else have you seen gradation used today to present information to you?

A PAUSE FORGRADATION

• Dominance gives a layout interest, counteracting confusion and monotony

• Dominance can be applied to one or more of the elements to give emphasis

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: DOMINANCE

NOT USINGDOMINANCE

USINGDOMINANCE

• Nothing should be paced on the page arbitrarily

• Every element should have some visual connection with another element on the page

• Creates a sophisticated look

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: ALIGNMENT

NOT USINGALIGNMENT

USINGALIGNMENT

• Repetition with variation is interesting

• without variation repetition can become monotonous

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: REPETITION

NOT USINGREPETITION

USINGREPETITION

• Items relating to each other should be grouped close together

• Items in close proximity become one visual unit instead of several separate items

• Helps organize information, reduce clutter, and give structure

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: PROXIMITY

NOT USINGPROXIMITY

USINGPROXIMITY

• Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements e.g.. opposite colours on the colour wheel - red / green, blue / orange etc. Contrast in tone or value - light / dark. Contrast in direction - horizontal / vertical

• The major contrast in a layout should be located at the center of interest

• Too much contrast scattered throughout a layout can destroy unity and make a work difficult to look at.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: CONTRAST

NOT USINGCONTRAST

USINGCONTRAST

• Unity is staying on the story, telling only one thing at a time

• Unity is staying in style throughout the design

• It helps provide clear and complete communication

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: UNITY

A PAUSE FOR UNITY

• Where else have you seen unity used today to present information to you?

THEEND

shaun_perry@bwdsb.on.ca