Basic Design PrinciplesGaining Attention and Delivering a
Messageby Mr. Tim Hixson
Computer Applications
What a mess!
Four Elements of Good DesignGood color contrast to allow the
message to be seenReadable fonts to communicate
the message clearlyUse Pictures to enhance the
messageArranging contents to draw more
attention to the message
Color ContrastContrast is the effect of having
colors that are different enough to stand out against each other.
In the example, the black text on the dark blue background is harder to read
Color Contrast
Good contrast
Bad contrast
Can this?readyou
canYou this!read
Better Use of Contrast
Font SelectionConsider the appropriate size
fontUse Sans-Serif fonts for better
readability
Limit yourself to two different fonts to avoid distractions and clutter (maybe three on a larger work)
Hello serifs
Hellosans-
serif
Better Use of Fonts
Use of PicturesUse pictures that directly relate
to the messageAvoid using too many picturesUse pictures that have a similar
style and coloring
Better Use of Pictures
Content Placement
12
3
4 7
5
68
9
Look at the box. When I show the numbers, which one do you notice first?
This is commonly called the
Rule of Thirds.
Better Use of the Rule of Thirds
Good Example – Poster
Melissa Logies – Class of 2010
Good Example – Poster
Caleb Venman – Class of 2010
Good Example – Scrap Book
Cheryl Ginsburg – Class of 2009
Good Examples – Business Cards
Amy Hart – Class of 2010 Becky Yager – Class of 2009
John Wiser – Class of 2009 Chris Stathopoulos– Class of 2010
Basic Design PrinciplesGaining Attention and Delivering a
Messageby Mr. Tim Hixson
Computer Applications