Creating attractive designs is not as simple as flipping a switch. One must first master the basics, much like a child must master walking before he or she can run. However, if you don’t have the time or interest to enrol in a design course, you won’t have a lot of resources. Canva templates are helpful, but only if you know how to make the most of them. That’s the reason why we created this post. We will go over some of the most fundamental concepts of design principles to help you understand what makes for a successful design.

Top 6 Design Principles For Businesses

#1 Balance

Balance in design principles refers to the way that the elements of composition are arranged to create a sense of visual stability. Proper balance helps create a sense of stability and harmony in a design and can make it feel more pleasing to the viewer. There are two types of balance: symmetrical and asymmetrical. 

Symmetrical balance is achieved when the elements on one side of the composition mirror those on the other side. This creates a sense of stability and order in the design. Asymmetrical balance is achieved when the elements on one side are balanced by elements of a different size or visual weight on the other side. This can create a sense of tension and dynamism in the design. 

Balance is an important principle of design because it helps create a sense of stability and harmony in the composition. By using balance effectively, you can create a design that feels balanced and pleasing to the viewer.

#2 Alignment

The term “alignment” is used to describe the dimensional accuracy of a page’s text or images. They may be left-, center-, or right-aligned within the larger composition, or they may be aligned with one another. An overall sense of disorder is introduced into a composition when individual pieces aren’t properly aligned, especially with respect to one another. It’s a jumbled mess that doesn’t look very deliberate. Aligning elements appropriately with respect to one another is an important aspect of design principles. 

#3 Emphasis

When talking about design, “emphasis” refers to whatever it is that is noticed first. This is commonly utilized to draw attention to the most crucial aspects of a design. Size, color, positioning, and contrast are just a few of the ways that emphasis can be established. One way to emphasize something and call attention to it is to use a higher font size or a more prominent color.

One further way to highlight anything is to position it in such a way that draws attention to it; for example, putting it in the exact middle of the composition or aligning it diagonally. When used correctly, emphasis can draw attention to key elements and clarify a design’s intended message.

#4 Movement

When discussing design, the concept of “movement” refers to the way in which the components of a composition guide the viewer’s gaze through the design. Lines, curves, and gradual color changes can all help you reach your goal. Adding motion to a design is a great way to draw attention and give it a sense of fluidity and energy. Lines can be used to give a design a sense of motion. For instance, diagonal lines have the ability to provide a sense of motion and direct the attention of the spectator to a certain component or focal point in the composition.

Patterns and gradients are two effective ways for artists to convey motion using shapes. Using a color gradient, for instance, may make something feel dynamic by drawing the eye from one shade to the next. You may direct the viewer’s attention and give your design a sense of energy by strategically including motion. This is especially helpful in advertising, as you want to keep the reader interested in what they’re reading.

#5 Hierarchy

Design hierarchies describe the arrangement and prioritization of elements within a given layout. The most crucial details are brought to the forefront, and the reader’s attention is directed accordingly. Applying the principle of hierarchy, you can guarantee that the focal points of your design are noticed and understood by the target audience.

Design hierarchy can be achieved in various ways. One typical way is to employ size, with larger items suggesting greater importance. Hierarchy can also be established by the use of color and font size, with more prominent colors and fonts signifying a higher level of importance. It is also possible to establish hierarchy through the use of placement, with components placed higher or closer to the center of the composition typically being accorded more importance.

You can make a clean, easy-to-navigate design that gets straight to the point and helps people comprehend what’s most important in a flash by employing some basic principles of hierarchy. For marketing materials, where you want to get the message through quickly, this is crucial.

#6 Contrast

When two or more things are different from one another, it is called contrast. This difference can be in the form of color, shape, size, or any number of other characteristics. Although contrasts in color are the most obvious form of contrast, differences in size, shape or any other feature can also produce contrast.

There are two main purposes that contrast might serve. In the first place, it lets you emphasize certain parts of a design over others. A design with no contrast at all would consist of a single hue with no other elements. The presence of contrast is an inherent quality of any design that allows for the differentiation of individual components.

Contrast also helps to make things more approachable. It is essential to create an accessible design by providing adequate contrast between elements, notably text and background. It might be difficult for those with visual impairments to comprehend the content on a screen if the font size or color contrast is inadequate. If you’re concerned about whether or not your designs have enough color contrast for accessibility reasons, you can use one of the many accessibility tools accessible.

Bottomline

Design can take many forms. It plays a crucial role in promoting companies and brands across a wide range of mediums, from online design and print graphics to interior office layouts. If you’re not a designer by profession, but appreciate good design, read up on the many kinds of design and remember the fundamentals. Contact our team of experts today to know more.

Read more about Gestalt design principles here.