29th April, 2024•📖 2 min read
The Principles of Good Design
Israel Michael
By Med Badr Chemmaoui from unsplash
We've all been there: scrolling through social media and stopping dead in our tracks at a design that's pure eye candy. But then, on the other hand, there are those designs that just feel... off. You know what I mean? Not only do they lack that certain je ne sais quoi, but they are also very disturbing.
I've always been passionate about good design. It's like magic—a well-crafted graphic or UI can grab your attention, inform you, and even spark emotions. But have you ever wondered what makes a design truly effective? The answer lies in a handful of core principles that anyone can learn!
Here are 4 key principles to elevate your designs:
1. Contrast:
Imagine a flat picture with no variation in colour or size. Boring, right? Contrast uses opposing elements like light and dark or big and small to create visual interest and guide the viewer's eye through your design.
2. Balance:
Just like a well-built seesaw, a balanced design feels stable and pleasing to look at. This doesn't necessarily mean everything needs to be symmetrical. Balance can be achieved by strategically placing elements with varying weights to create a sense of harmony.
3. Hierarchy:
Not all information is created equal. Hierarchy helps you prioritize what's most important in your design by using elements like size, colour, and placement to guide the viewer's attention.
4. Simplicity:
"Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains." - Steve Jobs
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a cluttered design? Simplicity is about focusing on the essential elements and removing anything that distracts from your message. A clean and clear design is easier to understand and leaves a lasting impression.
By mastering these principles, you too can create graphics that captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression.