Principles

By: Donna Deerfield

Design

Design PrinciplesContras

t

Repetition

Proximity

Balance

Unity

Alignment

Click on the pictures to review each

principle.

ContrastThe design

principle of Contrast draws in your attention & creates a visual hierarchy. You can use color, images, fonts, & size to show contrast.

This picture is a good example of Contrast because your eyes focus directly on the rainbow.

Other examples of Contrast include…

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Contrast

This is a good example of Contrast because of the silhouette of the tree, structure, & grass stands out against the pale sky.Home

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Contrast

This is a good example of Contrast because the focus of the picture is on the head & hands of the woman as well as on the simple colors of the ribbons.Home

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Contrast

This is a good example of Contrast because of the muted grey background and the vibrate red tree. Your eyes go directly to the beautiful tree. Home

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Repetition The design principle of Repetition means that you should repeat some aspect of the design throughout the piece. It ties everything together. Elements include graphics, text, & size.

This picture is a good example of Repetition because you can see the rhythmic patterns of the sea shells.

Other examples of Repetition include…

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Repetition

This is a goodexample of Repetition because it reflects repetition in nature. Each leaf seems to be used again &

again,which creates wholeness in

theimage.Home 2 3

Repetition

This is a good example of Repetition because it shows a picture of a jigsaw puzzle with same colors and pieces over & over again.Home 31

RepetitionThis is a good example of

Repetition because it shows the continuation of the columns, arches & light fixtures.

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BalanceThe design principle

of Balance is used when objects are of equal weight. You can have several small items on one side, & a large object on the other to balance it. You can also use lightness or darkness to balance pieces.

This picture is a good example of Balance because of the textures: The interesting textures (the flowers) balance the larger area with the smoother, untextured looks.

Other examples of Balance include…

1 2 3Home

BalanceThis is a

good example of Balance because it is the mirror image if you draw a line down the center of the page.

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Balance

This is a good example of Balance because the small watering can on the left is used to balance the larger dancers to the right.

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Balance

This is a goodexample of Balance because the

top & bottom halves of the picture are

practically the same but not be mirrored, rather it has the lizards chasing each other around the flower.Home

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Proximity

The design principle of Proximity puts related items close together physically. Things that aren't related should be farther apart. The amount of separation between items tells you how the material is organized.

This picture is a good example of Proximity because as the focal point is the table the chairs create unity due to their closeness.

Other examples of Proximity include…

1 2 3Home

Proximity

This is a good example of Proximity because the three buttons are close together.

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ProximityThis is a good example

of Proximity because on the top it appears that the circles are haphazardly placed in no particular order. But on the bottom, it is clear that the shape of a triangle has been formed. Your mind has found a unity amongst the shapes based on their proximity to one another.

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Proximity

This is a good example of Proximity because it expresses the relationships between the different objects, the trees are close together and the people ice skating are close together but look further away.Home

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UnityThe design principle

of Unity is to create a clear objective. Individual elements are not competing for attention. The theme is communicated more clearly. And the design evokes a sense of completeness & organization.

This picture is a good example of Unity because it displays the story of what unity is through pictures.

Other examples of Unity include…

1 2 3Home

UnityThis is a good example of Unity because it creates a sense of unity by the effectiveuse of repetition. You can see how the repeated similar forms (the ducks)

& brown color is placed throughout

the picture.Home

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Unity

This is a good example of Unity because of the grouping of similar objects was used to create Unity within.

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Unity

This is a good example of Unity because of the road. It helps to create a relationship between the people in the foreground to the people in the background. Home

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AlignmentThe design

principle of Alignment tells you that every item on a page must be aligned with another item. The alignment of items creates cohesion.

This picture is a good example of Alignment because of both the trees and the buildings being aligned with one another.

Other examples of Alignment include…

1 2 3Home

AlignmentThis is a good example of

Alignment because of the right justification, it shows an invisible line for the eye to follow, & gives a sense of unity & organization. The text corresponds with the image & the information is easier to read.

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Alignment

This is a good example of Alignment because of the justification & symmetry. Remember, you can align elements on the left side, the right side, or centered.Generally, choose one alignment

& use it on the entire

` page. Home 31

Alignment

This is a good example of Alignment because of the vertical & horizontal alignment of the road.

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