Have you ever heard of the principles of graphic design? These are like a kind of rules that any professional dedicated to graphic design must follow in all their projects. But do you know what they are?
If you have not heard of them, or you have forgotten some, then we are going to tell you about all those that exist and that you should always highlight yourself in your projects.
Where do the principles of graphic design come from?
Know that the principles of graphic design is not something that has been invented. They are actually based on the 13 laws of Gestalt who determined that those 13 points were the most important and those that frame the so-called principles of human perception.
These are:
- Whole
- Modular
- Dialectics
- Contrast
- Closing
- Complexion
- pregnancy
- Topological invariance
- Masking
- Birkhoff's principle
- Closeness
- Conference proceedings
- Hierarchy
They basically try to establish a whole on what we perceive visually. For this reason the principles of graphic design are based on these.
And what are those principles of graphic design?
In different publications they tell us that there are six. Others speak of seven principles. Here we detail what they are.
Alignment
We start with a principle that allows the text, with the rest of the design, to look correct and adequate. In other words, aligned.
Thus, what we get is to maintain the order between the elements, at the same time that it allows us to combine them so that they look as if they were one.
It is as if they had a line that united them and, with the alignment, this was achieved.
An example is if we align everything to the left and right, or if we align to the center making the design appear to stand out from the project while the other elements on the sides give it depth (thereby creating a 3D effect).
Equilibrio
In graphic design, balance is not that you put the same elements on the sides to make it look the same, it means that you should control the “visual weight”. That is, you have to create a balance as a whole.
When you get it, the users will be able to focus their gaze on the points that you want, on those that you have given more importance to without it seeming that you are prioritizing one space over another. In addition, it is capable of evoking emotions.
An example of this could be when we place some elements to the left and to the right, you must place something to compensate (and that the eyes do not go only to the left, but contemplate the entire design).
Emphasis
The emphasis can be defined as that part of the design that we want to be the protagonist of the whole. For example, if you want to create a poster for a book fair, what should have more prominence is a book, a woman reading, a man looking at a bookstore... But the books are the ones that should attract attention.
It could also be the title of that poster. The name of the fair, or even the date and where it will be held.
Contrast
With the contrast you can get to highlight a part of the design, that is, achieve something striking, that captivates the user when he sees it. It can be an image, a text, a typography or another element.
The most common is to use color contrasts to allow differentiation and at the same time emphasize.
For example, imagine that you had to make a poster in shades of blue. If you put it like this you will not achieve any contrast and, due to the colors, it may go unnoticed. Now imagine the same poster in blue but with some elements in white and yellow. What would you highlight more? Well, that's what the contrast would be.
Proportion
By proportion you must understand the visual size and weight of the elements you've used in the layout. That is, by the total set of elements to know if they are too big, if they are too small, or if it is too overloaded.
When all the elements are the correct size and exact location, then the proportion is said to be correct. You can actually achieve this with alignment and balance.
Blank space
When you make a design, what you can't think of is that you need to fill everything. It is also necessary to have blank spaces, also called negative spaces. Why? Because it allows the work to "breathe", so that it does not look so overloaded.
In case you don't know, that blank space is used to create an organization and a hierarchy. It is as if you tell those who see the design where you have to focus and where you can relax.
Repetition
Don't think repetition is wrong. Sometimes it is necessary to avoid overloading the design. Normally this occurs with colors or fonts, although it can also be the case with images.
Of course, do not abuse repetition. You have to see it as an element that will reinforce the recognition of a brand, an element, a product, etc.
Movement
This principle is not always used, but those who are adept at it make any project seem alive. And that is very important because it will make anyone who sees it unable to look away.
However to get the movement you have to make all the elements match and at the same time they create a visual effect that seems to move. To do this, you have to work not only with it, but also with balance, contrast and alignment.
You will not always be able to achieve it, but in music posters, or those that are of "moved" activities, you can always try to create this effect.
How are they used
Now that you know what the principles of graphic design are, you should know that projects do not have to follow all the principles to the letter. Normally, 1-2 of them are ignored to achieve an impressive result. What you should be clear about is that all design must communicate. If you lose that, no matter how good you think it is, it's not going to do you much good.
In addition, If you are just starting out, it is not advisable to ignore these rules. You must first learn to use them correctly so that, with experience, you will know how far you can afford to skip them.
Are the principles of graphic design clear to you?