After reading the first eight chapters of the textbook, you should have some idea on what makes a good design. Please analyze a good design using the four design principles discussed in the book. You will explain what is the principle, how to use them in your design, and why it is important to use them. I would like to see the example your use to support your points. In another word, I like to see your explanation and details.
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Dr. Wang
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What makes a good design…
ReplyDeleteThe four principles of good design are: alignment, contrast, proximity and repetition. If these four principles are followed, a good design is destined to be your end result. I will use the “Monday Music Minute” (MMM) published by The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Music to discuss each principle of design.
Alignment establishes a line for the reader’s eyes to follow throughout the document. With a strong line, the flow of the document will be easy to follow and will discourage the reader’s eyes from jumping around on the page. The “MMM” has proper alignment throughout the document.
Contrast provides a break for the reader’s eyes and pulls a multiple page document together. The “MMM” contrasts include: black left and right margins with subtitles in a dark red or maroon border.
Proximity means to group related items together while separating unrelated items. In the “MMM” under “Upcoming Events” the Choir’s concert at Carnegie Hall is the main event but other – smaller – events are grouped with it.
Repetition is used by choosing a dominant element to be used throughout your document to pull a multiple page document together and is much stronger than be consistent in your design. In the “MMM” the repetitive elements throughout the document are the colors of black and maroon and the University dome at the end.
Jeremy Wright
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lifestylenavigator.de/wp-content/no_beauty-1.jpg
In the example I chose, the design is easy to read and understand, engaging and exciting, and communicates everything the reader needs to know without overstimulation.
A number of design principles are used to effectively communicate the message of the design.
Repetition is employed in color, weight, and from and style of font to unify the design.
Contrasts are used to break up different blocks of information in the design. Different colors, sizes, and weights are used to separate the information into groups. Color is used to group text levels together even when separated. Weight is used to definitely show which block of text is for the title; lighter weights are used for supporting information.
Directional contrast is used to make the design exciting and to direct the viewer's eyes in scanning the page. Sharp, right angle changes in direction move from top to bottom in a back and forth motion implying motion and movement.
Graphics are used sparingly and used only to reinforce the written information on the page. The cube shape reinforces the right angle directional contrasts of the type. Likewise, the dollar sign in the square alludes to the fact that this is for a commercial business.
Finding the right balance of design principles and knowing what tools not to employ is, in my opinion, the most important thing a designer can do. Overdoing a design by adding to many different contrasts, focal emphasis, and graphics can thoroughly ruin a design and distract the viewer from what was intended to be communicated.
I feel if the design could be improved, if could be done by choosing colors that contrast more strongly. Using both warm and cool colors would bring another layer of interest to the design.
My reflection on "What makes a good design?" From the most simple veiw point a "Good Design" catches your attention, is rememberable, and gives clear concise information. The use of the design rules in the document will ensure that any project can be classified as a "Good Design" when using the preceeding qualities. The four elements of design used in a well planned project are alignment, contrast, proximity and repetition. Alignment can be used to direct the reader to the flow of information. White spaces and well aligned text create a restful stopping point for readers while keeping their attention. Contrast is used to create character and spark interest, by providing a distinctly different item within similar items. Proximity is a simple action of keeping liked items together inorder to show relationship of information. The final element of a good design is repetition. Repetition can be a simple design element, text or even spacing which is repeated throughout the design. The design repetition is used to guide the readers eyes, unify the elements of the design and establish relationship between items.
ReplyDeleteA good design is made by the proper understanding and implementation of the four basic principles of design: contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. Utilizing these principles together helps make a design appealing, attractive, and understandable. A good design does not just make use of one of the principles. Early on, a designer may focus on one or two, but a truly good design will use all four principles in a way that make the design stand out more without being confusing.
ReplyDeleteContrast is made whenever two elements in a work are different. This difference should be strong and noticeable, not weak. A weak difference, something that looks “sort of” difference, such as using a font size one size larger than the body text for the heading, is called a “conflict” and is absolutely undesirable as conflicts may be seen as mistakes on the designers part. When creating contrast, you want to make differences that stand out and grab the viewer’s attention. Two very different colors for the heading and the background, an opposing font style from the body text and the subheadings, etc. The key rule to using contrast is “If it’s not exactly the same, make it very different.” “Sort of different” is not the way to go for a good design.
Repetition is repeating some element of design through the course of the work. Repetition is used a lot for organizational purposes. For example, you may have all subheadings underlined and colored red, so as the reader reads the piece, when they reach an underlined, red colored phrase they can be pretty sure a new section of information has begun. Repetition should also be used whenever multiple works are made for the same event or person. Such as, if a group is making flyers, postcards, business cards, and brochures, the repetition of some design element in all of these works, like a logo, will help readers understand that all these different works are from the same organization.
Alignment is establishing a visual connection between elements on the page. In other, lining them up or placing them in the work in such a way that they are visually connected to another element. Alignment gives the reader a “direction” to start reading in as it organizes the information in the work. It also helps establish a cleaner look as visually connected elements are usually more ordered and easy to read, making them more appealing. A designer must be conscious of how their elements are aligned and connected.
Proximity, finally, is grouping related items together. Proximity, like alignment is used for organizational purposes. In a well done piece, items that relate to each other, such a person’s name, their address and phone number, are close together, while unrelated items may be spaced further apart, such as the name of the program that person works for. Closeness on the work implies a relationship, so it’s not good to simply shove elements close together to use up less space on the page. A good design will segregate information, keeping related items together, away from unrelated information, so that the reader can easily distinguish what is connected to what.
Of course, there are more elements that make up a good design. Color is a key component to any work that utilizes it as color can be one of the most attractive, or distracting, elements of a work. Contrast of color can be both visually appealing and deliver information to the reader such as a change of tone or section. Font is also another important element as the style of font you chose can express the mood of the piece (a script font may seem more festive than an Oldstyle font). Differences in font between headings, subheadings, and body text can also be used to organize the information in the work. There are many other elements that could be discussed, but the four basic principles discussed above are they central components to creating a good design. Understanding them will give you a better understanding of how to use all other elements in a work for a more appealing piece.
The design I chose to analyze was one page from a brochure for the 2010 Ford Taurus. I always thought the automobile companies did a masterful job with graphic advertising materials. Buying a car is a very subjective process. Car makers want every aspect of their printed materials to capture a person's interest, imagination, and desire for the vehicle being described. Click HERE to see the brochure.
ReplyDeleteProximity
Proximity refers to relative close spacing between graphics and associated text. For example, the line graph and the Fast Forward paragraph are close together as are the close-up of the turbocharger and the Grace Under Pressure paragraph. On the other hand, there is a gap between the end of the Ecoboost paragraph and the asterisked not about figures. The wise use of proximity in this piece makes it easy for a viewer to decide what text to read and possibly to ignore based on his or her interests. For example, a reader who is not interested in the intricacies of the turbocharged engine would intuitively understand which text block to skip.
Alignment
All text is right aligned forming a strong line on the left side of the page. There are no paragraph indentations and headings are right aligned as well. Whenever a text block is associated with a graphic, the right margin of the text aligns with the right edge of the graphic. The small picture of the turbo charger is carefully aligned and inset within the background. The right edges of the logos at the top and the bottom of the page are aligned with the right edge of the graphic background. All of these placements are carefully thought out, giving a feeling of order and stability. Hence the viewer can focus on the content of the piece with clarity.
Repetition
It appears that only one font family is used on this page, but variations of that font family are thoughtfully introduced. The gray of the background and the shiny, metallic texture of the car are repeated in the SHO-Ecoboost logo. The red in the line graph echoes the red color of the car, bringing unity to the design. This page is part of a 25-page brochure which displays effective use of repetition. For example, each page in the brochure has the Ford Taurus 2010 logo and the ford.com footer, and the same font family is used throughout. Repetition in this design lends a feeling of unity and cohesiveness to this design; it calms the mind so the reader can attend to the information in its various forms.
Contrast
The gray photographic background brings needed contrast to the white page, and the red of the car and line graph add an interesting pop of color. Bold type is strategically used to draw attention to key information in the piece. The green color in the Eco-Boost logo is subtle, yet it conveys both meaning and cool contrast. In this design, contrast is used both for emphasis and visual interest. Often contrast is used to grab a person’s attention. However, a single page inside a multi-page brochure does not need contrast in the way a flyer does. That is why no eye-popping contrast is needed in this sample. The more targeted, subtle contrast shown here keeps it interesting.
Other Design Notes
The converging lines and blurred streaks in the background as well as the burring on the wheels of the car give the sense of speed. Also, the fact that the car is facing away from the viewer’s perspective gives the idea that the car is speeding away – wheels screeching. I don’t think it is an accident that the driver is not visible – a person in the design would distract from the focus on the vehicle. The same reasoning applies to the missing license plate.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD DESIGN
ReplyDeleteThe message must be clear. Whether a poster, brochure, logo, or Web site — the design should emphasize the message.
The basic principles of design apply to all design disciplines — writing, graphics, art and architecture, even fashion and poetry. The principles of design are tools we use to format the elements of design (color, shape, texture, etc.). Here are some of the essentials:
• Proximity the book states that you group related items together, move them physically close to each other so the related items are seen as one cohesive group rather than a bunch of unrelated bits.
• Alignment the book states nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Even item should have a visual connection with something else on the page.
• Repetition the book states repeat some aspect of the design throughout the entire piece
• Contrast the book states if two items are not exactly the same, than make them different. Really different.
Using these four principles is what makes a good design.
Williams, Robin The Non-Designer’s Design Book Third Edition