1. Design Principles
Applying principles to create attractive and professional printed and electronic publications
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2. OBJECTIVES List the four design principles
Define the four design principles
Identify characteristics of the four design principles
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3. BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Contrast
Repetition
Alignment
Proximity
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4. CONTRAST
Definition:
A method of design that emphasizes the differences between items; it purposely brings out their differences to draw attention.
Note: ways that contrast is used on this slide is shown in the font:
color- opposition of white and yellow;
size- title is much larger than definition;
Weight- title is bold (thicker letters);
Form – title is all caps and definition is sentence case;
Position – title is right aligned and definition is left aligned.
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5. CONTRAST SAMPLE 1 1 2 3 4 Here is a sample block of words.
Can you read it from a distance?
Here is a sample block of words.
Can you read it from a distance? 1 2
Here is a sample block of words.
Can you read it from a distance?
Here is a sample block of words.
Can you read it from a distance?
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG 3 4
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6. CONTRAST SAMPLE 2 1 2
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

7. CONTRAST SAMPLE 3 1 2
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

8. WHAT IS CONTRAST? Showing a STRONG DIFFERENCE to draw attention
Can be demonstrated using
Color
Size
Borders or images
Fonts
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9. REPETITION A part of design that copies or repeats elements.
Definition:
A part of design that copies or repeats elements.
Note: ways that REPETITION is used on this slide is shown as follows:
Each slide so far has repeated the same background design, the same background color, the same layout of objects, the same color and size of title and definition font.
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10. REPETITION SAMPLE 1
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
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11. REPETITION SAMPLE 2 1 2 Here is a detail.
Notice the color, shape, and size.
Here is a detail.
Notice the color, shape and size. 1 2
Here is a detail.
Notice the color, shape, and size.
Here is a detail.
Notice the color, shape and size.
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
Here is a detail.
Notice the color, shape, and size.
Here is a detail.
Notice the color, shape, and size.
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12. REPETITION SAMPLE 3 1 2
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

13. WHAT IS REPETITION? Looks professional and planned to repeat things!
Can be demonstrated using
Color
Fonts
Sizes of items (photos, borders, etc.)
Bullets
Bold headings
More…
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14. ALIGNMENT A part of design that lines up objects or groups of objects.
Definition:
A part of design that lines up objects or groups of objects.
Note: ways that alignment is used on this slide is shown as follows:
Title is most important so it is at the top
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15. ALIGNMENT SAMPLE 1 1 2
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

16. ALIGNMENT SAMPLE 2 1 2
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

17. ALIGNMENT SAMPLE 3 1 2
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
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18. WHAT IS ALIGNMENT? Line up all items…. No random placement
Once you choose an alignment, stick with it!
ALL items on the page should have the same alignment.
Can be demonstrated using
Left alignment
Center alignment
Right alignment
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19. PROXIMITY
Definition:
A part of design that groups related items together and balances the design.
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Note: ways that Proximity is used on this slide is shown as follows:
The term/title is spaced further away from the label “definition”, while the label is spatially closer to the words that make up the definition.

20. PROXIMITY SAMPLE 1
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

21. PROXIMITY SAMPLE 2
Ask the students to determine which item 1-4 is more visually appealing to them – and tell why.
When the font color is not significantly different than the background color – it is difficult to read.
Rule of thumb: Black vs. White is the strongest contrast and is considered visually appealing.
Remember: to be considered contrast it must be obvious and STRONG
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

22. WHAT IS PROXIMITY? Groups like items together to make sense
Balances the page using even spacing
Can be demonstrated using
Images that go together
Details that go together
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23. REVIEW The four design principles
Contrast — shows a strong difference to draw attention
Repetition — repeats items to show professionalism
Alignment — lines up items; stays the same for everything
Proximity — groups related items together
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24. Because I KNOW you want the secret tricks!
Extra Goodies
Because I KNOW you want the secret tricks!

25. How Many Fonts? Never use more than 2 fonts on one project!
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26. How Many Main Colors?
Most great design uses no more than 3 major colors.
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27. Borders
Adding a border… even a simple line or a stripe like is shown here… makes your design instantly more professional!
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28. Odds The human brain sees ODD numbered things as more attractive.
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29. Reminders: Most important items should be BIG!
Can you read it from a distance?
Is your page balanced?
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