How to Create Effective Visual Resources - Part 2: Principles of Design

Creating effective visual aids can seem hard if you don't know where to start. This two-part post teaches you about the elements and principles of design, what they are and how you could use them to create your visual aids. Now that you know about the elements of design, let's go over the principles of design.

Principles of design are used with elements of design to create simple to elaborate work. There is some disagreement among designers of which are the core principles of design. This post will cover the many different ones regardless of how popular they are. The principles that will be covered are contrast, balance, movement and hierarchy, emphasis, pattern and repetition, variety, unity, proximity, and alignment.

Principles of Design

Contrast

Contrast occurs when there is a variation or contrast that makes the visual interesting. Contrast can be created through size (big vs small), colour (warm vs cool), texture (slimy vs soft), value (light vs dark), length (short vs long). If you noticed, contrast is created by using the elements of design!

Balance

Balance is achieved when the visual weight (of colours, space, texture, objects, etc.) is distributed evenly through the visual. This can be achieved through symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance. 

Using an imaginary center line to divide a design, symmetrical balance lays out elements in the design to have equal weight on both sides. 

Elements of design that have different weights are used in an asymmetrical balance visual. The use of this type of balance often does not divide a visual into equal halves. 

Radial balance refers to elements of design is arranged around a point of interest, such as flower petals around the flower's center.  

Movement & Hierarchy

The path in which the eye travels through a design refers to movement. One way to help with the eye's movement through a visual is to use hierarchy. Hierarchy applies contrast to create the emphasis in certain areas. Those areas then draw the viewer's eyes in so that they see things in a certain order. 

Emphasis 

Something that stands out or catches the viewer's attention in a design is caused by the use of emphasis. There are a couple of ways one can create emphasis in a design. Two of those ways are contrast and hierarchy which were discussed above. Another way is the rule of thirds. 

Rule of thirds means that you divide your design in a three-by-three grid. The four intersections created by the grid are where you want to place the focal point if you desire to emphasize it. 

Pattern & Repetition

Patterns are created when elements of design are repeated. There are two types of patterns. Regular patterns repeat themselves in a visual at regular intervals. Irregular patterns repeat themselves in unpredictable manners. The use of repetition is often to reinforce ideas and concepts. Patterns and repetition are super helpful principles when dealing with math. 

Variety

Variety is the use of many elements of design to captivate and retain the viewer's attention. Using a combination of elements and principles of design adds interest to a visual. This makes means that the visual can stay fun and engaging instead of dull and boring. 

Unity 

Unity is achieved in a visual when all aspects of the piece work together to bring harmony and a sense of completeness. The relationships that each element and principles have to each other should not be random but clear. This will help your visual look more organized, creating the illusion of higher quality work, even if you didn't spend much time on it! 

This will help your visual look more organized, creating the illusion of higher quality work, even if you didn't spend much time on it! 

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Proximity

Proximity is not always a principle that is thought of, however, it can be quite useful. Proximity refers to how close or far elements are placed to each other in a design. Related items should be placed together. You can think of this like grouping. 

Alignment

Alignment also deals with the placement of elements of a visual. Nothing should ever look like it was placed randomly! There are three types of alignments. Left aligned, which is what most commonly is used for reading and writing. Right alignment which is the opposite of left aligned. Center alignment is what most amateurs will use (usually for text). This doesn't mean that you shouldn't use it, just be aware that there is a time and place for center alignment. knowing what you want for your visual can help you plan the alignment (think back to the rule of thirds!). 

Take Away

As you can see, there are many principles of design. Not all of them can nor should be used in any one visual. However, you can combine a couple to help you create the effect you want. If you are able to combine these principles and elements of design together, then you will have effective visual aids to help you teach your students or kids. 

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Works Cited:

Chapman, C. (2018, December 13). The Principles of Design and Their Importance. Toptal Design Blog. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.toptal.com/designers/ui/principles-of-design.

Harvey, J. (2018, March 23). 10 Tips for. . .Creating Visual Aids | Presentation Guru. Presentation Guru Publishing LTD. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.presentation-guru.com/10-tips-for-creating-great-visual-aids/.

Preparing Visual Aids | Guide to Preparing for the Abstract Competition | ACP. (n.d.). American College of Physicians. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.acponline.org/membership/residents/competitions-awards/acp-national-abstract-competitions/guide-to-preparing-for-the-abstract-competition/preparing-visual-aids.

Sanchez, D. (2017, June 14). The Elements and Principles of Design. Medialoot. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://medialoot.com/blog/the-elements-and-principles-of-design/.

All images were created by the writer for this article.