BROCHURES AND FLYERSUsing Design Principles to Enhance Your Layouts

design

understanding

BALANCEAchieve Visual balance by arranging elements on the page.

P r o x i m i t y & U n i t y

How close together or far apart elements are placed suggests a relationship (or lack of) between otherwise Separate parts. Unity is also achieved by using a third element to

connect distant parts.

always use guides and rulers when creating your layout

A l i g n m e n t

Poor Alignment Centered (But Sloppy) Left Alignment

Repetition & Consistency

In your layout you want to be sure to use the same fonts, colors, and images/design elements throughout. Repeating design elements and consistent use of type and graphics styles within a document shows a reader where to go and helps them navigate your designs and layouts safely.

Repetition & ConsistencyRepetition & ConsistencyRepetition & ConsistencyRepetition & Consistency

CONTRAST

GO PIRATES

GO PIRATES

Designs that try to cram too much text and graphics onto the page are uncomfortable and may be impossible to read.

White space gives your design breathing room. Don’t be afraid to leave some empty space on your layout.

White Space

The rule states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts

by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and

that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or

their intersections.

The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in visual arts such as

painting, photography and design.

THE RULE OF THIRDS

DIRECTING THE EYE WITH IMAGES

People are Visually Stimulated.

Place images strategically around your layout to properly direct them

through it.

ELIMINTATIONOften, people add extra lines, boxes, bullets and other visual elements in order to convey information that's adequately conveyed with Size, Proximity and Alignment. Including this fluff makes your user’s brain work harder, as it has to figure out the significance of these elements.

INSPIRATION!

smashingmagazine.com

flyerfolio.com

designyourway.net

webdesignledger.com

visualmess.com

kuler.com (for color schemes)

Before & After