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The wide availability of visual tools both online and offline has made it quite easy to create homemade graphic designs. Today, more and more freelancers and non-professional designers are using visual tools to jump start a career in graphic design. If you're looking to improve your understanding of design and its creation, then read on.

This blog post will not only delve into the details of the basic elements of design , it will go further by explaining the principles of how elements should be put together to create an entertaining and amusing visual project for yourself and your client.

The Elements of Design

A beautiful design is not a product of great imagination or a result of an idea. Rather, it is a product of carefully plotted design elements chosen to create a visual representation of the idea and the imagination.

Design is not about pictures placed together and arranged in a way that creates a story. Design is about creating harmony among the elements and having them come together in a final product that is unequivocally outstanding.

lements of design refer to a set of particular guidelines for graphic designers or artists. Design elements are the basic unit of painting, design, drawing, or any other visual piece coming into existence.

These elements are vital to every visual project.

LINE

The most basic design element is the line. With a simple drawing a line is regarded as just a mere stroke of a pen, but in the field or study of design, a line connects any two points. Lines are effectively used in separating or creating a space between other elements or to provide a central focus.

COLOR

Color effectively contribute unity of a series of flyers and puts emphasis on the pertinent information that is conveyed by the other visual elements.

Color can stand alone at any time. It can serve as a background or be a supporting element to other elements. It can heighten the impact of shapes, lines, and fonts on texture. The use of individual color is easy, but combining one with another will require a deeper understanding of its psychological implication in visual design.

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SHAPE

TEXTURE

can be used to accent a particular area of the visual project so that it becomes more dominant than the other elements.

SIZE AND SCALE

These elements go hand in hand. They are responsible for bringing balance, proportion, and contrast to every design.

Size refers to the actual dimensions of a particular element, while the scale is its relation to the original value, and proportion refers to the relation of all present elements to both size and scale.

Scale and proportion are used to indicate the exact size of an object or to emphasize the difference in size of two objects found on a particular visual presentation.

DIRECTION

Direction is an element of design that establishes the general mood and atmosphere. It creates the illusion that there is movement within the design.

Visual direction refers to instances in which the content screams "look over here" through the use of horizontal and vertical lines.

Vertical lines establish an atmosphere of balance, alertness, and formality.

Horizontal lines communicate peace, stability, and tranquility.

Oblique lines, on the other hand, suggest movement and action.

The Principles of Design

Principle in this field refers to the ways elements may be manipulated to create a work of art.

The principles and elements of design both carry the same weight in executing an effective piece. If you disregard the principles, then you have a visual piece that lacks a story.

In a previous post, we discussed Visual Communication as an effective tool in conveying the company message and corporate mission. Today, we show you how to be more effective in creating visual content that is both appealing and informative.

PROXIMITY

BALANCE

is the distribution of the various visual weights of the objects used in the visual presentation, the proper combination and harmony of colors used, the tone and refinement of visual texture, and the appropriate use of space.

ALIGNMENT

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REPETITION

CONTRAST

is defined as "the difference in visual properties that makes one object distinguishable from other objects." Contrast is often used to emphasize key elements in specific design projects.

A color contrast, for example, can redirect the attention of a reader to a more important part or message of a presentation.

SPACE

This principles is also known as white space or negative space. This is the very open, underutilized area of any visual presentation or creation.

Space is an area activated by the elements . It is the active and visible distance or area between and around, above, and below or within the elements used in one project design.

Space is powerful when you want to deliver a direct message without the clutter of other design elements.

Not everyone is gifted or has the ability to put elements together to come up with visual content. Whether you are a professional designer,an amateur, or a person seeking employment in this particular field, then learning the basic precepts and implementation of a design isnecessary training that you cannot overlook.

This is just a taste of design principles and elements. Watch out for a more detailed discussion of this topic in our upcoming posts.

Your Turn

Now that you've seen what constitutes good design, learn more about some of the most common mistakes made by non-designers here.

And if you want to put these visual communication principles into practice, there are online tools that allow you to create professional-looking visual content for your marketing and social media campaigns-even if you don't have advanced design skills. You can try one for free here.

And if you want to receive additional tips on becoming a better visual communicator, don't forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter below.

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What Makes Good Design? Basic Elements and Principles

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The wide availability of visual tools both online and offline has made it quite easy to create homemade graphic designs. Today, more and more freelancers and non-professional designers are using visual tools to jump start a career in graphic ...

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Animation & Design - Matt Greenwood - http://mattgreenwood.tv

Music by Proem - http://www.proemland.com

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Color Theory

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color theory basics for artists with chart

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Why Color Theory Matters | Issue 05 | Design for Non-Designers

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Examples of applied principles in graphic design

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Examples of applied principles in graphic design

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This was by far the toughest exploration of the semester, but also the most fulfilling. I improved and learned so much just through this "seemingly" simple exercise. I found that I struggled with the more simple principles, like repetition; I struggled to find solutions to make the compositions make sense, but still graphically interesting. Another principle I really struggled with was rhythm - how does one show rhythm without sound? I think my favorite principle to play with is positive negative space. I love layering and splicing simple shapes to create interesting relationships.

Points were my favorite element to work with. Planes were especially difficult for me; I had gotten used to working within the limitation of just using one shape! But like I said, this was definitely the most rewarding assignment to complete.

Sketches before I began producing the compositions digitally.

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Visual Principles - Step 1: Points, Lines & Plane

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This was by far the toughest exploration of the semester, but also the most fulfilling. I improved and learned so much just through this "seemingly" simple exercise. I found that I struggled with the more simple principles, like repetition; I struggled to find solutions to make the compositions make sense, but still graphically interesting.

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15 Golden Principles You Should Follow to Create Amazing Visual Content

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5 Pro Secrets to Improving Your Design Skills + Creating Better Marketing Graphics for your Business — AllieMarie Design