Visual Design Principles: The Recipe To Creating Good Graphic Content!
Visual Design Principles: The Recipe To Creating Good Graphic Content!
Unity
Most important design principle but is most difficult to understand. Unity ties all other principles together If a project does not show unity it is unsuccessful
Unity
Unity is based on a theory that the viewer is actually looking for a connection between the elements, for some sort of organization, for unity in the design.
Proximity is based on grouping by closeness the closer elements are to each other, the more likely we will see them as a group. Proximity is one of the easiest ways to achieve unity.
Repetition is based on grouping by similarity elements that are similar visually are perceived to be related. Any element can be repeated line, shape, color, value or texture Repetition helps unify a design by creating similar elements and is one of the most effective ways to unify a design.
Alignment consists of arranging elements so that their edges are lined up. The common alignment allows the eye to group those elements together.
Continuation means that something (a line, an edge, a curve, a direction) continues from one element to another. The viewers eye will follow the continuing line or edge smoothly from one element to other and the mind will group the elements because of this connection.
Contrast or Variety
This is the variation of elements Variety is the complement to unity and is needed to create visual interest
Line thinness, thickness, value, color, angle, length Shape size, color, orientation and texture, type Color hue, value, saturation
Value darkness, lightness, high-key, low-key, value contrast Texture rough, smooth
Emphasis
something different attracts the eye line (a curve in the midst of straight lines) shape (a circle in a field of squares) color (one red dot on a background of grays and blacks) value (a light or dark area in the middle of its opposite) texture (rough vs. smooth)
Balance
Balance is the even distribution of images to create a pleasing visual effect. Formal Informal
Formal Balance
All things are positioned symmetrically It is human nature to want things balanced, otherwise we feel uncomfortable
Informal
Not totally equal on each side of canvas Achieved b changing value, size, or location
Influences on Balance
Position the further out an element is from the center, the heavier it will feel; a large object placed near the center can be balanced by a smaller object placed near the edge Size larger feels heavier Texture an element with more complex texture is heavier visually than one with a simple texture or no texture at all Isolation an isolated element has more visual weight Value darker feels heavier
Influences Continued
Value contrast the higher the value-contrast, the heavier the weight Quantity multiple small objects can balance one larger object Orientation a diagonal orientation carries more visual weight than a horizontal or vertical one Shape elements that have more complex shapes feel heavier than those with simple shapes Color the brighter and more intense its color, the heavier the element will feel
Space
Size
Easiest to make
Large in front, smaller behind, objects are smaller the further away they are.
Overlapping
Compositional location
Linear perspective
Seems to recede into space Shows great depth Shows great focal points
Examples