Design principles

Design principles are propositions that, when applied to design elements, form a design.

Balance

Types of balance in visual design

The top image has symmetrical balance and the bottom image has asymmetrical balance

• Symmetry

Hierarchy/Dominance/Emphasis

Main article: Visual hierarchy

Scale in design

Increasing an element's scale in a design piece increases its value in terms of hierarchy and makes it to be seen first compared to other elements while decreasing an element's scale reduces its value.

Contrasts

• Space
  • Filled / Empty
  • Near / Far
  • 2-D / 3-D
• Position
  • Left / Right
  • Isolated / Grouped
  • Centered / Off-Center
  • Top / Bottom
• Form
  • Simple / Complex
  • Beauty / Ugly
  • Whole / Broken
• Direction
  • Stability / Movement
• Structure
  • Organized / Chaotic
  • Mechanical / Hand-Drawn
• Size
  • Large / Small
  • Deep / Shallow
  • Fat / Thin
• Color
  • Grey scale / Color
  • Black & White / Color
  • Light / Dark
• Texture
  • Fine / Coarse
  • Smooth / Rough
  • Sharp / Dull
• Density
  • Transparent / Opaque
  • Thick / Thin
  • Liquid / Solid
• Gravity
  • Light / Heavy
  • Stable / Unstable

See also

• Composition (visual arts)
• Gestalt laws of grouping
• Interior design
• Landscape design
• Pattern language
• Elements of art
• Principles of art
• Color theory

References

• Kilmer, R., & Kilmer, W. O. (1992). Designing Interiors. Orland, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. ISBN 978-0-03-032233-4.
• Nielson, K. J., & Taylor, D. A. (2002). Interiors: An Introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ISBN 978-0-07-296520-9
• Pile, J.F. (1995; fourth edition, 2007). Interior Design. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. ISBN 978-0-13-232103-7
• Sully, Anthony (2012). Interior Design: Theory and Process. London: Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-1-4081-5202-7.

External links

• Art, Design, and Visual Thinking. An online, interactive textbook by Charlotte Jirousek at Cornell University.
• The 6 Principles of Design