Design Principles From The Non-Designer’s Design Book Second Edition by Robin Williams
Mini Vocab List Baseline – invisible line on which type sits Body text – main block of text that you read Bullet – marker used in a list instead of numbers Dingbat – character or symbol;
Vocab List – take 2 Elements – separate items on the page Justified type – when text is lined up on both the left and right edges Rule – horizontal line White space – “blank” area on a page that is not occupied by text or graphics
Why do we need Design Principles? Produce professional-looking documents Design eye-pleasing layouts Follow good rules for school, work, or personal projects 4 Principles = 1 Design
Joshua Tree Story Strange tree and had never seen one Started noticing them all over the neighborhood Now sees them all the time
Contrast Most important visual attraction on the page Avoid similar elements If elements are not the same – make them very different type, color, size, line thickness, shape, space, etc.
Contrast Example
Contrast Example 2
Repetition Help develop organization Strengthen the unity of the piece Repeat visual elements in the design throughout the page color, shape, texture, fonts, graphics, spatial relationships, line thickness, sizes Create “Consistency”
Repetition Examples
Recognition of Repetition
Alignment Everything should have a place on the page Every element should have some visual connection with another element Create a clean, sophisticated, fresh look
Text Alignments This text is flush left or left aligned. This text is flush right or right aligned. This text is centered. This text is justified. Some people call it blocked – the text lines up on both sides.
Alignment Example 1
Alignment Example 2
Proximity (nearness) Groups related items together Organizes information Reduces clutter Provides a clear structure for the reader Several items close together become one visual unit
Proximity Example Flower List Marigold Sunflower Daisy Carnation Rose Violets Flower List Marigold Sunflower Daisy Carnation Rose Violets
Proximity Example 2
Proximity Example 3
Good Design is as easy as… 1.Learn the principles. 2.Recognize when you’re not using them. 3.Apply the principles. Contrast Repetition Alignment Proximity
To Remember... C R A P CContrast RRepetition AAlignment PProximity Now you will notice!