Five Principles of Good Design

The Principles of Design are the ideas or concepts that are used to organize the elements of the design. The way in which the principles are applied will affect how the content is expressed or how we view the message of the work or the whole of the design. Principles of design are considered to be the rules guiding the design practice.

Design rules vary slightly. However, when considering a design project, utilize these commonly accepted basic principles for a successful project.

Emphasis

This principle describes the “center of influence” or the “point of focus”. Most designers create a dominant theme around which minor themes are built. There are those, however, who wish to avoid placing emphasis on any one part, but create visual interest on all parts of the room.

Designers use emphasis to direct your attention to the most important elements of the design or room. Without emphasis, the room looks monotonous with a lack of inspiration. Emphasis is achieved through repetition and contrast.

Repetition is simply the use of patterns to achieve a rhythm in the design. It makes the work appear more dynamic and interesting and creates unity within the composition.

Contrast, often considered a principle on its own, refers to the abrupt change of an element to create emphasis and interest. Contrast can be accomplished in several ways. It is created through color, texture, shape, scale, positioning and detail.

Balance

Balance is the term used to describe the concept of visual weight given to the arrangement of objects within a composition. It reconciles opposing elements in order to create stability. Without balance, the room or composition can look awkward and unstable. Balance can be achieved either symmetrically or asymmetrically.

Symmetric balance occurs when we achieve equal weight on all sides of a central axis or focal point.

Asymmetric balance is more complex. It refers to how objects of varying importance or weight are arranged around the central point so as to balance one another. There may be one dominant form which is counterbalanced by several smaller forms. Asymmetric design often creates a sense of visual tension.

Proportion

Proportion refers to the size and scale of objects or elements in the design. It pertains to the relationship between those elements and the comparison in dimensions. Proportion can help in establishing visual weight and depth to a composition.

Public places are often very large in proportion to humans. Spaces such as churches or malls are intended to impress.

On the other hand, our homes are more on a scale consistent to our own proportions, our usual standard of measurement, and are seen as more inviting and less intimidating.

Rhythm

Rhythm is defined as regular movement through space. It is created when one or more elements are arranged repeatedly to produce a feeling of movement. It refers to the way the eye follows an arrangement of motifs or designs along a path in order to create a sense of predictability and order. It depends on pattern and movement to create a mood.

A calming rhythm is created when elements are placed at regular intervals, while sudden changes in position or in size can create a more lively rhythm. Variety is essential to keeping the rhythm exciting and moving the eyes actively around the composition.

Rhythm is created in several ways. Linear rhythm refers to the flow of each particular line. Repetition involves the use of patterning to create rhythm, as previously described. Alternation is the periodic repetition of patterns, such as long and short or fat and thin. Gradation refers to a series of steps in a pattern, as with shape or color, in order to create a sequence of events.

Unity

Unity refers to the harmony achieved by all of the parts. It gives one the sense that all of the elements are working together to create a visually satisfying composition or design. Unity is the quality of completeness achieved by balancing all of the other elements or aspects of the composition. It creates a sense that each element belongs with all of the others and that if it were removed the composition would fall apart.

Unity is most frequently achieved through pattern. Color, shape, texture and form are also powerful methods used to create a sense of unity of composition.

These are the five most common principles of design. If you attend to these principles, you will create a beautiful design in your home that will dazzle and impress anyone.

2007 Patricia Tomaskovic