Transcript Four Basic Design Principles - Coastal Carolina University

Four Basic Design Principles
From The Non-Designer’s Design Book
(Robin Williams, 2004)
The Principle of Proximity

Items relating to each other should be
grouped together
One visual unit versus several separate units
 Helps organize information, reduce clutter

Example - Proximity
The Principle of Alignment

No page object is positioned arbitrarily

Every element visually connected to other
elements

via invisible lines
Example - Alignment
The Principle of Repetition

Some aspects of the design should be
repeated throughout the entire piece
Formatting option, bullet, color, graphic, spatial
relationships…etc.
 Also known as “consistency”
 For web design – especially important for
navigation

Example - Repetition
The Principle of Contrast

Significant differentiation makes
elements more visually engaging
Cool and warm colors
 Text formatting
 Line spacing
 Vertical and horizontal alignment

Example - Contrast