Depending upon your business, you may not realize your need for graphic design. Also, you may have a graphic design need you’re not aware of. When this happens, you’ll want to find someone in house who can follow these graphic design principles or learn to follow them yourself.
There are eight basic design elements used in any graphic design. These include:
• Balance – This element allows the viewer to decide on the best way to interpret a design. This could be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Balance, or the lack thereof, can elicit an emotional response such as tension or anxiety. Designs with symmetry may give the viewer a sense of peace or calm.
• Contrast – Use any number of design elements to create contrast. This could be a smooth surface and a rough one butting up against one another. Contrast can also be shown by the way light and dark are juxtaposed. Without contrast, the likelihood of creating an interesting design is diminished.
• Direction – How does the viewer’s eye travel when looking at the graphic design? Direction is created by lines, arrows, shapes, or colors and can enable the viewer to see a myriad of images. You can also lead a viewer through proportion and perspective, which can create a two dimensional quality to a one dimensional work. This element can also be used in three dimensional work with shape, space, and value.
• Economy – Can you move an element within the design and the design remain strong? Avoid overpowering a design with too much, but don’t be skimpy with design element which could leave you with a boring design.
• Emphasis – Similar to direction, you can lead a viewer throughout the image you’ve created by using emphasis. Be sure, however, to create a point of interest or you may lose them entirely. Use emphasis to convey the message you want your viewer to take away.
• Proportion – Proportion can be used in a variety of ways within a graphic design. It can be used to denote realism or surrealism, whichever is more appropriate for what you are trying to say. Proportion can also show balance and perspective as well as unease because an image has drastic proportions.
• Rhythm or repetition – You most likely know what rhythm is when pertaining to music. Did you know rhythm is used the same way in graphic design? Use slightly increased squares to create depth or use the same elements in the same size throughout to create boredom. Rhythm may also help you emphasize one part of the design.
• Unity – Unity is the glue, which holds the other elements in a graphic design together. Take a hard look at all of the elements to be sure they work together.
Add into the above elements the ideas of proximity, alignment, and typography. Proximity is the way various like items are grouped together within the graphic design. It could also include the amount of white space used between elements. Alignment is how things are visually connected within the design; there should be purpose behind how everything is placed. Finally, typography is the text used within the design as well as the myriad typefaces available for use. Depending upon the graphic design you’re creating, you may or may not use typography.
The graphic design principles above are commonly used by professional graphic designers. These elements and principles can be used in a way to create a masterpiece. By doing your best to find a graphic designer who can skillfully create the image you want to project, you’ll have graphics, which will portray your business in a professional manner.
Author Resource:
Andrew Perkins is a professional web site and graphic designer providing visually appealing, user friendly, search engine optimized web sites, graphic design, logo design and corporate identity. Visit him for a free, no obligation quote http://www.andrews-custom-web-design.com/graphic-designs.html
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