Principles to design by?

Posted by wcook

on 8 Aug 2007 11:15 AM

senior editor, TechSoup

Posted by MeganKeane

on 10 Aug 2007 12:56 PM

Megan Keane

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Posted by jazgal

on 14 Aug 2007 4:06 PM

Posted by spayneuterallpets

on 14 Aug 2007 4:58 PM

Posted by wcook

on 14 Aug 2007 5:38 PM

senior editor, TechSoup

Posted by spayneuterallpets

on 18 Aug 2007 6:08 AM

Before I reveal the four principles, let me encourage you once again to look at the books. They are packed with before and after examples, accompanied by clear explanations of why the after is better. You will also find thoughtful quizzes to help you see if you have gotten the concepts. And they are just plain fun.

I don’t think I could do a better job than Robin herself of summarizing the four basic principles, so in her own words:

“The four basic principles … are alignment, proximity, repetition, and contrast. These principles are the underlying factors in every printed piece you see anywhere, on screen or elsewhere. If you just remember these four principles, your web (or printed) pages will look clean, neat, and professional. They will communicate more clearly, people will enjoy them more, and you will be proud.”

“The … basic principles of design … appear in every well-designed piece of work. … Keep in mind they are really interconnected. … Rarely will you apply only one principle.”

Contrast
The idea behind contrast is to avoid elements on the page that are merely similar. If the elements (type, color, size, line thickness, shape, space, etc) are not the same, then make them very different. Contrast is often the most important visual attraction on a page – it’s what makes a reader look at the page in the first place.

Repetition
Repeat visual elements of the design throughout the piece. You can repeat colors shapes, textures, spatial relationships, line thicknesses, font sizes, graphic concepts, etc. This develops the organization and strengthens the unity.

Alignment
Nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Every element should have some visual connection with another element on the page. This creates a clean, sophisticated, fresh look.

Proximity
Items relating to each other should be grouped close together. When several items are in close proximity to each other, they become one visual unit rather than several separate units. This helps organize information, reduces clutter, and gives the reader a clear structure.

Excerpts taken from:
Williams, NON DESIGNERS WEB BOOK, p 13 and 105, (c) 2006, 2000, 1998 by Robin Williams & John Tollett
Reproduced by permission of Pearson Education, Inc publishing as Peach Pit Press. All right reserved.
The Non-Designer's Design Book, 2nd Edition (ISBN 0-321-19385-7)

Posted by wcook

on 20 Aug 2007 9:41 AM

senior editor, TechSoup

Posted by elliotharmon

on 10 Dec 2009 9:45 AM

Elliot Harmon
Staff Writer, TechSoup

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Principles to design by?

Principles to design by?

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