Principles of Design

For anything to work well, there must be an adequate balance of the different components that make up that entity. Together with those components are guiding rules that ensure that each of the components work well with each other — principles.

With design, there are also principles you need to follow to ensure your design is well organized. The moment one of these rules is not followed, you stand the chance of coming up with a bad design!

It is very easy to get carried away with finesse in a bid to impress users while designing but there are rules that govern how to use these elements and while it may be necessary to break some of those rules a few times, it is important to know what rules you are breaking and why you are breaking them.

The principles of design are

1.Balance

2.Emphasis

3.Movements

4.Pattern

5.Repetition

6.Proportion

7.Rhythm

8.Variety

9.Unity

Balance

Balance is the distribution of elements of the design. It is a visual interpretation of gravity in the design. There are three ways f achieving balance:

• symmetrical balance
• asymmetrical balance
• radial balance

Emphasis

Emphasis is a technique used to draw attention to a specific design element. Lines, shapes, colors, textures, size, etc., and other design elements can be used to create emphasis. Emphasis is usually used to drive a call to action (a sign-up, purchase, etc.).

Movements

Movement is the path the viewer’s eye takes through a design, usually to a focal point. Movement can be directed along lines, edges, shape, color and other design elements.

Pattern

Patterns are a repetition of more than one design element working in concert with each other. All the elements in a design eventually combine to become a whole. Patterns are usually seen on backgrounds of web and app pages.

Repetition

Repetition is simply repeating a single element many times in a design. Repetition can be used to create emphasis or to reinforce a particular element in the mind of the users.

Proportion

Proportion is the relationship of two or more elements in design and how they compare to one another with respect to size, color, quantity, degree, setting, etc.

Rhythm

When design elements are repeated, the intervals between the elements creates a sense of rhythm and movement in the viewer. Spacing is usually used to achieve rhythm. There are five types of rhythm

• Regular rhythm
• Alternating rhythm
• Progressive rhythm
• Flowing rhythm
• Random rhythm

Variety

Variety is used to add interest to design by juxtaposition and contrast. A good example is placing straight lines next to curvy lines or organic shapes among geometric shapes or bright colors next to dull colors. Variety can also be used to draw attention to a focal point evolving into emphasis.

Unity

Unity gives design a feeling of oneness. Simplicity, repetition and proximity are proven methods that help give unity to design.