Four Principles of Graphic Design

What is Graphic Design?The art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, books, posters, or websites.

This lesson will explore the four main principles of Design:

1. Proximity2. Alignment3. Repetition4. Contrast

Principles of Design

These FOUR basic principles of design appear in every well-designed piece of work. Although we will discuss each individually, they are all connected. Rarely will you apply only one principle to your design.

1. Contrast 2. Repetition 3. Alignment4. Proximity

Proximity/Closeness:

Proximity: The state of being near.

In design, proximity (or closeness) creates a connection between ideas or elements on a page.

Visually group related elements (text and/or images).

Items or groups of information that are not related to each other should not be in close proximity (nearness) to the other elements.

Organizing your ideas

Organize your ideas!

Example postcard:without proximity

Example postcard:with proximity

So far we have covered:

✓ Proximity Alignment Repetition Contrast

Alignment

Alignment is the placement of text and graphics so they line up on the page.

Use alignment to:1. Create order2. Organize things on the pages3. Group items4. Create visual connections

JustifyCenter Aligned Right AlignedLeft Aligned

So far we have covered:

✓ Proximity✓ Alignment Repetition Contrast

Repetition

To repeat or do again.

You should repeat some aspect of the design through out the entire project.

Makes the entire project look connected from page 1 to page 100.

You can use Repetition in your fonts, bullets, colors, alignments, or any graphic style.

Title Font Repeats

2nd Font Repeats

Stars Repeat

Text

Repetition

So far we have covered:

✓ Proximity✓ Alignment✓ Repetition Contrast

Contrast

Created when you place two different or opposite elements together. The more different, the better!

Creates an exciting graphic element to your page. Allows important things to pop out at the reader.

You can create contrast with font style, SIZE, or color

So far we have covered:

✓ Proximity✓ Alignment✓ Repetition✓ Contrast

Let’s review what we covered...ProximityRelated elements grouped together

AlignmentText and graphics aligned on the page.

RepetitionTo repeat or do again.

ContrastTwo different or opposite elements together.

ImagesCover Picture:http://eeryelegance.blogspot.com/2011/04/graphic-design-special.html

iPod Ad:http://news.cnet.com/i/bto/20090831/apple.JPG

Nike Ad

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MIBYQhdxSug/S1acqqBgj8I/AAAAAAAAAAk/IczISi8DkTA/s400/Nike_thighs_ad.jpg

Proximity Posterhttp://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/principles/proximity_poster_example.gif

Learn to Dance Postcardhttp://msfrankel.com/old_site/images/p23a.gif

Repetition Posterhttp://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/principles/repetition_poster_example2.gif

Alignment posterhttp://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/principles/alignment_poster_example.gif

Alignment Imagehttp://www.plu.edu/~haasehj/repetition.html

Images Continued...Marilyn Monroe Collagehttp://www.graphicshunt.com/images/marilyn_monroe_collage-6741.htm

Contrast posterhttp://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/principles/contrast_poster_example.gif

Ski Magazinehttp://news.auroraphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/kirkwoodcover.jpg

Facts:Design Principles- adapted from The Non-Designer's Design and Type Books by Robin Williams and NHS Design Dept. http://www.nhsdesigns.com/.

THE END