Does the theory of graphic design smother you as you would like a peaceful dive into its exciting environment? Yes, you are not alone in feeling so. The principles of graphic design might be very complicated for many people, but with proper guidance, anyone can learn the basics and design their own awesome designs. This is a guide that applies whether you’re a beginner or a pro trying to refresh your skill-set. It will expose you to the distinctive core principles that can elevate your work.
Therefore, this post will focus on everything basic in graphics theory from color and typography to space and balance. And we shall include useful tutorials to enable you to master each concept. Let us start right here.
Color & Contrast: Just the basis of every other design
Color is such a potent tool in any designer’s box to raw evoke emotion, make harmony, and especially communicate a brand’s message to customers. Understanding how to apply color can change designs from good to excellent.
Colors are meant to go beyond being pretty to being something of meaning. For example, warm colors such as red and yellows fall into being energetic, cool blues and greens are somehow associated with calmness, trust, and nature. It is about thinking through the emotions or messages you want to convey, and how colors can work for your goals when you are choosing colors for your design.
The crux of contrast is, of course, to let elements stand apart. Contrast lends visual interest, emphasizes the primary focus areas in designs, and renders a sense of hierarchy. So, in extreme contrast designs, shadows and lights get in on the act to present quite a dramatic experience. In a more subtle way, low contrast plays out harmoniously.
If you want to be more comfortable in the world of color and contrast, check out the following tutorial to learn how and when to apply these principles in making your design stand out.
Typography: The Art of Text
On the surface, typography seems uncomplicated, but it is much more than choosing an attractive typeface. Typography involves the art and technique of organizing type, and it essentially makes or breaks beauty and legibility for any design.
The perfect typeface conveys the essence of your design. A clean, modern appearance is suitable for a techy flavor, while a fun, handwritten script will appeal to a kiddie audience. Also remember, readability matters your target audience must be able to read and comprehend it freely.
There is another aspect of typography, the hierarchy. This is quite necessary when you are to guide the viewers’ way on your design. Headings should be loud enough, subheadings should be less loud, body text should be clear but should convey no distraction with the other important things.
And below is our tutorial for using typography effectively in designs that speak:
Hierarchy: Organizing Your Design Elements
It becomes apparent that not all ifs in graphic design were made as important as all. Some features of design are more important than the others. Hierarchy is the method by which the arrangement of design elements serves to communicate, by visual means, their relative significance to one another. For instance, the main message or headline should be at the top of the design, while less important items, such as footnotes and legal disclaimers, should recede into the background.
In establishing hierarchy, many of the factors manipulated can include size, color, contrast, and placement. The main part should be bulged, having most rooms and the dealer selling advertisement for you should be faded with the periphery in the design while the whole feet and conditions read on it.
Learn more about how to create effective hierarchy within your designs with our easy-to-follow tutorial on typography and design structure.
Understanding Psychology in Design: Affects Behavior through Design
One more thing of course is that design psychology is not only for the visual aspect of it but also for the interaction part of it. Every design decision – colors, layout, and even shapes – sends out messages to your audience. Colors can evoke feelings or emotions. For instance, blue is often evoked by studies, as a message from nonverbal communication, trust, and calm.
A further example: consider red-a color that ‘excites’ and generates feelings of urgency. Circular shapes are perceived as near-friends, while sharp angles seem to be somewhat dangerous or strong. Learning how this psychological knowledge can be turned or transformed to unique and fresh designs will attract a viewer’s attention on their own.
With our tutorial, you can learn in-depth information about the psychology of design and learn how to employ design effectively by influencing behavior.
Space: Balance and Focus Space, otherwise quite commonly referred to as negative space, or white space, is one such important aspect of design but is often ignored. Empty spaces between and around elements define a blank area that requires an essential role in giving that visual appeal to the layout.
Using space well improves legibility, accentuates key elements, and injects elegance into a design. By contrast, too many distractions can overwhelm and confuse a given design. Finding a workable balance between positive and negative space is the key to designs that work and look good.
Be sure to visit our tutorial on using space to bring harmony and clarity to your designs.
Balance: Technical Harmony
Balance is yet another important idea in graphic design. It is the technique of distributing the visual weight in the composition in such a way that the design appears able to hold itself together. It can be grouped into three types: symmetrical balance, asymmetrical balance, and radial balance.
Symmetrical balance generates a feeling of formality and permanence, where design elements are reflections of each other across a vertical axis.
Asymmetrical balance is more vivid in temperament, using contrasting elements to achieve a balance that would not conform to perfect symmetry.
Radial balance draws elements out from a center point, conjuring a sense of movement and emphasis.
Balance is important to move one’s eye throughout your design so that no single element has more prominence, and nothing appears to be out of place.
Make sure to check out our tutorial on achieving balance through grids, lines, placements, and all that.
Are You Ready to Advance Your Design?
With an understanding of some fundamentals of graphic design, it is now time to put those concepts into practice. Mastery of these concepts will enable you to make designs that are not only stunning but also effective in communicating their intended message.
We hope this guide has been instrumental in easing your apprehension regarding the theories behind great design. If you feel there is still more to achieve with your skills, we have other resources available for you!
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