Principles of Design ?

The principles of design are the rules that designers follow to create effective and attractive compositions.

How does the use of the principles of design factor into universal design practices?

According to the Center for Universal Design (CUD) at North Carolina State University, universal design is:

The design of products and environments is to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design.

The principles of design help designers achieve this goal, as the foundation of these principles promotes user-friendliness and inclusivity.

The principles of design are a set of fundamental guidelines that are used to create visually pleasing and effective compositions in various artistic and design disciplines. These principles help artists, designers, and creators organize and arrange elements such as lines, shapes, colors, textures, and spaces to achieve balance, harmony, and visual interest. While different sources may present slightly varied lists, here are some commonly recognized principles of design:

• Balance: Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in a composition. It can be achieved through symmetrical (formal) or asymmetrical (informal) arrangements of elements.
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• Contrast: Contrast involves using differences in color, value, texture, size, or shape to create visual interest and make elements stand out. It helps create emphasis and hierarchy within a design.
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• Emphasis: Emphasis focuses on creating a focal point or center of interest within a composition. It is achieved by using contrasting elements, such as color, size, or placement, to draw the viewer's attention.
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• Unity: Unity refers to the visual harmony and cohesion of a design. It involves creating a sense of oneness or coherence by using consistent elements, such as color schemes, shapes, or styles, throughout the composition.
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• Movement: Movement suggests a sense of action or visual flow within a design. It can be created through the use of lines, curves, and other elements that guide the viewer's eye from one part of the composition to another.
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• Proportion: Proportion deals with the relative size and scale of elements within a composition. It involves finding the right relationships between different elements to create a visually pleasing and balanced overall design.
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• Repetition: Repetition involves using the same or similar elements, such as shapes, colors, or patterns, multiple times within a composition. It helps create unity and visual rhythm.
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• Rhythm: Rhythm refers to the repetition and variation of visual elements to create a sense of movement, pattern, or flow. It can be achieved through the regular repetition of shapes, colors, or lines.
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• Harmony: Harmony involves the pleasing combination of different elements in a composition. It often relates to the use of colors, where complementary or analogous color schemes are employed to create a sense of harmony and balance.
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• White space: White space, also known as negative space, is the area of a composition that is left unoccupied by elements. It helps create breathing room, balance, and focus, allowing the viewer to better appreciate the main elements.

These principles are not strict rules but rather guidelines that can be applied and adapted in various ways depending on the specific context, medium, and desired effect of the design. They serve as valuable tools to assist designers in creating visually engaging and effective compositions.

The principles of design are not always used in isolation. In fact, they are often used together to create a more effective design. For example, a designer might use contrast to create emphasis, or they might use rhythm to create movement. The key is to use the principles of design in a way that creates a design that is both visually appealing and functional.

When can you break the rules of design?

To create unique designs, you need to do something different and unique. But how do you do this if everyone is following the same design principles? Breaking the rules means walking a fine line, but in some instances, you can do so to achieve a particular goal.

For example, breaking the common rules of scale can be a good way to design something that leans on the creative side rather than the practical side. In the example below, it’s easy to see that some hierarchy and scale rules were broken. However, the final result looks appealing.