1. Four Principles of
Graphic Design

2. What is Graphic Design?
The art or skill of combining text and
pictures in advertisements, magazines,
books, posters, or websites.

3. This lesson will explore the
four main principles of Design:
1. Proximity
2. Alignment
3. Repetition
4. Contrast

4. Principles of Design
These FOUR basic principles of design appear in
every well-designed piece of work. Although we will
discuss each individually, they are all connected.
Rarely will you apply only one principle to your
design.
1. Contrast
. Repetition
2
3. Alignment
4. Proximity

5. Proximity/Closeness:
Organizing your ideas
Proximity: The state of being near.
In design, proximity (or closeness) creates a connection
between ideas or elements on a page.
Visually group related elements (text and/or
images).
Items or groups of information that are not related to
each other should not be in close proximity (nearness)
to the other elements.

6. Organize your ideas!
Example postcard:
without proximity
Example postcard:
with proximity

7. So far we have covered:
✓ Proximity
Alignment
Repetition
Contrast

8. Alignment
Alignment is the placement of text and graphics so
they line up on the page.
Use alignment to:
1. Create order
2. Organize things on the pages
3. Group items
4. Create visual connections

9. Left Aligned Center Aligned Right Aligned Justify

10. So far we have covered:
✓ Proximity
✓ Alignment
Repetition
Contrast

11. Repetition
To repeat or do again.
You should repeat some aspect of the
design through out the entire project.
Makes the entire project look connected
from page 1 to page 100.
You can use Repetition in your fonts,
bullets, colors, alignments, or any
graphic style.

12. etition
R ep
Text Title Font Repeats
2nd Font Repeats
Stars Repeat

13. So far we have covered:
✓ Proximity
✓ Alignment
✓ Repetition
Contrast

14. Contrast
Created when you place two different or opposite
elements together. The more different, the better!
Creates an exciting graphic element to your
page. Allows important things to pop out at the
reader.
You can create contrast with font style, SIZE, or
color

15. So far we have covered:
✓ Proximity
✓ Alignment
✓ Repetition
✓ Contrast

16. Let’s review what we covered...
Repetition Proximity
To repeat or do Related
again. elements
grouped
together
Contrast
Two different Alignment
or opposite
Text and
elements
graphics
together.
aligned on
the page.

17. Images
Cover Picture:
http://eeryelegance.blogspot.com/2011/04/graphic-design-special.html
iPod Ad:
http://news.cnet.com/i/bto/20090831/apple.JPG
Nike Ad
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MIBYQhdxSug/S1acqqBgj8I/AAAAAAAAAAk/IczISi8DkTA/s400/Nike_thighs_ad.jpg
Proximity Poster
http://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/principles/proximity_poster_example.gif
Learn to Dance Postcard
http://msfrankel.com/old_site/images/p23a.gif
Repetition Poster
http://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/principles/repetition_poster_example2.gif
Alignment poster
http://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/principles/alignment_poster_example.gif
Alignment Image
http://www.plu.edu/~haasehj/repetition.html

18. Images Continued...
Marilyn Monroe Collage
http://www.graphicshunt.com/images/marilyn_monroe_collage-6741.htm
Contrast poster
http://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/principles/contrast_poster_example.gif
Ski Magazine
http://news.auroraphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/kirkwoodcover.jpg

19. Facts:
Design Principles- adapted from The Non-Designer's Design and Type
Books by Robin Williams and NHS Design Dept. http://www.nhsdesigns.com/.

20. THE END