Graphic Design Basics

Four principles that govern page design

FOUR PRINCIPLES OF PAGE DESIGN

•PROXIMITY•ALINGMENT•REPETITION•CONTRAST

PROXIMITY

• When several items are close to each other they become one visual unit

• Be aware of what path the eye follows• You should be able to create a logical

progression from beginning to end• The basic purpose of proximity is to

organize.• Organized information is more likely to

be read and remembered

How to create Proximity

•Squinto Count the number of visual

elements by the number of times your eye stops when reading.

• If you have more than 5 elements, see which ones can be grouped to make one unit.

Avoid

•Too many elements•Sticking stuff in the corners

and the middle•Leaving equal amounts of

white space between elements.

•Creating relationships with elements that don’t belong together

Examples

Example

ALIGNMENT

•Every Element should have some visual connection with another element on the page

•The basic purpose is to unify and organize the page

•Even if the separate elements are not physically close on the page, they can appear connected.

How to Create Alignment

•Be conscious of where elements are placed.

•Always find something else on the page to align with, even if they are far away from each other on the page.o Find a strong line and use it, such

as a photo or graphic.•Use one text alignment for the

whole page, all left, center or right. Never mix.

Alignment problems to avoid

•Avoid using more than one text alignment on the page (don’t center some and right-align other texts)

•Try hard to break away from a centered alignment unless your are trying to create a more formal presentation

Alignment Example

REPITITION

•Repetition of visual elements throughout the design unifies a piece by tying together otherwise separate parts.

•The purpose of repetition is to unify and to add visual interest

How to create repetition• Be consistent• Find repeated elements such

as lines or boxes and make them stronger & more dramatic

• Add repeating elements such as numbered lists.

• Use contrast to accent repetitions.

Avoid

•Repeating too mucho Having every 3rd item in bold

type will be distracting and boring.

CONTRAST

• In order for contrast to work it must be strong.

• Don’t Be A Wimp. If two items are not exactly the same, then make them different. REALLY DIFFERENT.

• Contrast adds interest to the page.

CREATING CONTRAST

•Add contrast with typeface choices, line thicknesses, colors, shapes, sizes, and space.

•Make it strong, make it noticeable.

•Avoid using two or more typefaces that are similar.

• If items are not exactly the same, make them different.

CONTRAST EXAMPLE

Assignment: Graphic Design

o Create a Poster to Illustrate each of the 4 Principles: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity

o Set Your image size to 8.25"x10.25" at 300 ppi. 

o You may use text, shapes, images & fonts to illustrate your understanding of each principle.