The 15 Principles of Design: A Guide for Small Business Owners to Create Better Graphics

Are you a small business owner struggling to create graphics for your brand? We know it is not easy, but you don’t need more than these 15 principles of design and of course, some practice.

In this blog post, we'll break down each principle and provide tips on how to apply them to your own designs. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of how to create graphics that accurately represent your brand and speak to your audience.

 

Understanding the 15 Principles of Design

These principles are a set of guidelines that designers use. The goal is to create designs that look more professional, communicate your message, and attract customers.

The 15 principles of design are:

1. Balance
2. Emphasis
3. Repetition
4. Contrast
5. Proportion & Scale
6. Movement
7. White space
8. Hierarchy
9. Rhythm
10. Pattern
11. Variety
12. Unity
13. Alignment
14. Color
15. Typography

In the next section, we'll explore each principle in more detail and provide examples of how to apply them to your graphics. 

Balance

Balance is about the arrangement of visual elements within a composition, achieved either through symmetry or asymmetry:

• Symmetrical Balance: Elements are arranged equally on both sides, creating a mirror-like effect.
• Asymmetrical Balance: Elements are arranged to create a sense of equilibrium without being identical.

Here are a few tips to help you achieve balance in your graphics:

• Organize your elements by using a grid system.
• Consider the size, shape, color, and texture of your elements.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with asymmetrical balance.
• Step back and look at your layout from a distance to see if it feels balanced.

 

Emphasis

Emphasis draws attention to elements like text, images, or shapes.

To create emphasis through graphic techniques, you can:

• Apply contrast, such as using a bold font for headlines or bright colors for call-to-action buttons.
• Isolate elements by centering images with ample white space around them.
• Utilize repetition with consistent color schemes for all headings.

 

Repetition

Repetition involves using the same elements, like color or shape, throughout the design to create cohesiveness.

Methods to achieve repetition in your designs: 

• Repeat graphic elements to reinforce brand identity.
• Use images with a similar style to create a visual experience.
• Maintain consistent spacing and margins between elements to create a balanced design.

 

Contrast

Contrast refers to the difference between two or more elements in a design.

Here are some tips to help you use contrast effectively:

• Choose contrasting colors, such as colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.
• Combine large and small text, along with bold and regular weight fonts, to enhance readability.
• Mix geometric and organic shapes, for example, use a circular logo with angular text, to create visual interest.
• Combine smooth and rough textures, like a glossy image with a textured background, to create contrast. 

 

Proportion & Scale 

Proportion is the relationship between the different elements in a design and scale refers to the size of elements in relation to each other.

It's important to note that proportion doesn't necessarily mean everything in a design has to be symmetrical or evenly spaced. 

Here are some tips for achieving good proportion & scale:

• Use grids to align elements and create balance.
• Vary the scale of different elements to create depth and hierarchy.
• Experiment with asymmetry and intentional imbalances to create visual interest.
• Avoid cramming too many elements into a small space to prevent a cluttered and overwhelming design.

 

Movement

Movement creates the illusion of motion or direction. 

To infuse your designs with movement:

• Integrate repeating elements like shapes or lines, particularly when contrasted with other elements.
• Employ directional lines, guiding the viewer’s eye. 
• Opt for bright colors to inject energy, or choose muted tones for a more tranquil ambiance.

 

White Space

Also known as negative space, white space is the empty area around and between elements and is essential for a balanced and well-organized design.

To use white space in your design:

• Allocate ample white space around and between objects.
• Adopt a minimalist approach to ensure designs are clear and not overwhelming.
• Leverage grids and guides for precise alignment of elements.

 

Hierarchy

Hierarchy is the arrangement of elements in a design to show their relative importance. 

To create a clear hierarchy in your design, consider the following tips:

• Larger elements will naturally draw the eye first.
• Brighter or contrasting colors will stand out. 
• Apply contrast in typography. Bold or italicized text will stand out more than regular text.
• Aligning elements to a grid or to each other can create a sense of order and hierarchy.

 

Rhythm

Rhythm refers to the repetition of visual elements to create a sense of movement and harmony in your design.

Good rhythm can be developed through:

• Create patterns by repeating a shape, color, or texture consistently throughout your design.
• Use lines of different thicknesses, lengths, and angles to create a sense of flow in your design.
• Ensure that every repetition in your design is deliberate and meaningful, rather than being arbitrary or random.

Pattern

It involves repeating an element to create a consistent and harmonious design.

Transformation techniques for pattern creation:

• Overlay multiple elements, varying opacity and blending modes.
• Apply transformations like rotation, reflection, scaling, or skewing to a motif.
• Arrange shapes closely together without overlapping or leaving gaps.

 

Variety

Variety helps to keep your graphics visually interesting and engaging. 

Here are some tips to help you add variety to your graphics:

• Pair bright colors with dark ones or use complementary colors.
• Try pairing a bold font with a more delicate one to create a sense of contrast.
• Include different shapes, for example, circles, squares, and triangles.
• Experiment with textures like wood, metal, or fabric. 

Unity

Unity brings all the elements together to create a cohesive design. 

To achieve unity in your designs, you need to:

• Ensure all elements relate to each other through consistent use of color palettes, shapes, textures, or other design elements.
• Use patterns, shapes, or other design elements to create a sense of consistency.
• Remove or modify elements that don't fit with the overall message to maintain element-message cohesion.

 

Alignment

Alignment organizes elements in a design, creating a sense of order and structure.

Follow these tips for structured design:

• Utilize grid systems to align elements accurately and create a structured layout.
• Employ visual guides like rulers and guidelines to align elements precisely.
• Maintain consistent alignment throughout the design to enhance readability and visual appeal.

 

Color

Color is a crucial element in design, affecting the mood, emotion, and message of the piece.

Explore these techniques for colorful creations:

• Use harmonious color schemes, like analogous or complementary, to create visually pleasing designs.
• Understand and leverage the psychological impact of colors to convey the right mood and message.
• Utilize contrasting and vibrant colors strategically to draw attention to specific elements and create visual interest.

  

Typography

Typography involves selecting font styles, sizes, and spacing to enhance readability and convey the message effectively.

Adopt these type tricks to enhance readability and message:

• Combine different but complementary fonts to create hierarchy and contrast.
• Adjust the space between lines and letters to improve readability and appearance.
• Use varied font sizes and weights to establish a clear hierarchy and emphasize important elements.

 

Benefits of Good Design for Small Businesses

Before we conclude, let's explore some benefits of good design for small businesses:

• Increased brand recognition.
• Improved customer trust.
• Better user experience.
• Increased sales.
• Cost-effective.

Now, moving forward, practice is the next step. Keep these questions in mind: For whom am I designing? What message do I wish to convey?

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. The principles of design are not set in stone, and there's always room for creativity and innovation. With practice and experimentation, you can become a skilled designer and create graphics that make your small business stand out.