Basic Elements of Design

A summary of the book by Robin Williams “Non-Designer’s Design Book”

Alignment…Proximity…

Give every element a visual connection to another element.

Items related to each other should be grouped close together.

Principles of Design

"Alignment." About.com Principles of Design. Web. 20 Sep 2010. <http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/tp/Principles_of_Design.htm>.

Alignment

Alignment

Key idea:

Nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Every item should have a visual connection with something else on the page.

Problem:

No element has any connection to the others.

Solution:

Elements aligned

Flushed right

Nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily ( randomly without thought) Alignment

When items are aligned on the

page, it creates a strong cohesive

unit, even if the two objects are

physically far away from each

other.

Every item should have visual connection with something else on the page. Alignment

http://formulate.com.au/images/articles/alignment/text-alignment.png

Text Alignment

NEVER use more than one text alignment in a document.

Avoid Centering when ever possible.

Centering can create:1. a more formal look2. a more sedate look3. ordinary 4. dull

Alignment

Use spaces between paragraphs instead of indentingNEVER do both!

But, if you must indent then use an …….

Alignment

http://www.creativepro.com/files/story_images/20100217_fg01.png

“em” – a space as wide as the point size of your type

Alignment

• Alignment unifies and organizes the page.

• “Find a strong line and use it.”

• Flush right type makes use of image’s border.

•

•

Alignment

Avoid using more than

one text alignment

and center alignment. http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/intranet/pg/

itskills/images/module4/paragraph%20indents.jpg

http://designshack.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ds-basic-alignment-3.jpg

Alignment

Example

Basic Design Elements Packet1. Complete your notes using this PowerPoint.

2. Look through the magazine and find an ad that demonstrates a good example of alignment.

3. Use your pen and show how each element is connected to another element by connecting them with dashed lines. Refer to the example on my website or look at the example on the next slide.

4. Sketch out your text using the Principle of Alignment in the top right quadrant of your sketch sheet. Do not draw any pictures or elements, only text.