This blog is a continuation of the “Learn how to Elevate your design game with Design Principles ” blog. 

Here’s a recap of what we’ve already covered: A total of 12 core fundamentals were formed that are proven strategies to upgrade your work when utilized effectively and wisely. These basic principles are effective guidelines for creating striking and eye-catching visuals.

The fundamentals are:

1. Contrast
2. Balance
3. Emphasis
4. Proportion
5. Hierarchy
6. Repetition 
7. Rhythm 
8. Pattern
9. White space
10. Movement
11. Variety and 
12. Unity 

As we have already discussed these principles in the previous blog (https://frameboxxanimation.com/learn-how-to-elevate-your-design-game-with-design-principles/)

• Contrast
• Balance
• Emphasis and,
• Proportion

It is truly a miracle how these design principles alone can boost your creative designs by a ton!

This blog will be covering the next 4 core principles, i.e. 

• Hierarchy
• Repetition 
• Rhythm 
• Pattern

Let’s dive into it!

5) Hierarchy

Hierarchy is the way of composing your design so that the most important element is highlighted first. Visual Hierarchy is an important element in designing. It is about strategically ranking the most important to the least important element in the design so that the most important element reads first to the viewer.

It is about categorizing information into chunks. Based on importance, the viewer will identify the key information in your overall design. 

This plays a vital role in Web Design. In most cases, there will be a logo on the top, a main headline, and a subheading to support the information cycle. It is because all these pages follow the fundamental rule of hierarchy. 

More examples can be noticed in Movie Posters. Notice how, they all have a big, bold title, followed by a sub-heading. A sub-heading is generally less attention-grabbing than the title. This is followed by a credits list that lists out the important details about the cast.

How can I improve my Visual Hierarchy?

All these elements are placed carefully and strategically in a good design. Make a habit to observe these details in professional designs and break them down into core fundamental pieces that eventually make up the whole design. This method forces you to train your eye to observe the details and the important elements. 

There are several tricks and ways to optimize your visual hierarchy:

Size: The larger the size of an object, the more likely the viewer is to see it. Changing the size and scale of an element, automatically either highlights or diminishes the overall impact of an element.

Color: This method is widely used in graphic illustrations and graphic posters. The brighter the color of an element is as compared to its surroundings, the higher the probability of it getting noticed is a common phenomenon.
Contrast: Generally speaking, Contrast is one of the vital elements in the field of design. Contrast refers to the value difference between elements. Contrast can be created using various properties. One can use Size contrast, Color Contrast, Type Contrast, and more. It is important to navigate the attention of the viewers in a smooth flow, hence contrast comes into play.

6) Repetition

Repetition is a widely used principle. It is used to tie the whole brand identity together. Whether it is repeating a pattern or repeating a color, this invites a dynamic visual angle for the audience.

Brand identity is a visual element of your brand design. It is important for the audience to visually separate other brands from your brand. This is where repetition comes into play. Repetition is the deliberate use of the same visual elements to tie the creative together. Usually, repetition is found in Graphic Poster Design, infographics, and more. Every brand uses repetition, this is one of the impactful ways of connecting to the audience. Ever wondered, why we relate the Coca-Cola logo to the brand, why we recognize the Apple logo from anywhere? This is all a wonder of repetition.

7) Rhythm

Rhythm can oftentimes be confused with movement. Rhythm is the visual flow of the overall composition. It conveys energy, life, action and flow to the overall graphic. Designers create rhythm by repeating lines, shapes, rhythms, patterns, colors, scale, etc. This inhibits the visual flow from being stagnant. 

Rhythm can be of various types:

Regular rhythm: Repeating elements in regular intervals.

Irregular Rhythm: Irregular rhythm is also known as Random Rhythm. This shows the repetition of elements at a random pace. 

Progressive rhythm: This shows the repeating of elements over clear gradations. 

This fundamental is also used in Illustrations. The visual flow and rhythm of the viewer’s eye are most important while illustrating. Usually, professionals choose one or two focal points for the graphic and use the power of composition and rhythmic flow to create a better visual interest.

This fundamental alone gives us a drastic change in our work.

8) Pattern

People tend to confuse Patterns with Repetition, which does make sense. Contrastingly, the similarities aren’t much.

Repetition is when we use the same element over a lot of places. Whereas, a Pattern is when the elements are used together and form different, unique patterns. This element comes into play mostly in Brand Identities, Graffiti, Graphic Illustrations, Character Art, etc. 

Some artists even have a designated, signature style that can be found in most of their work. Some artists even use deliberate Typography to indicate their style. Even patterned brushes are mostly used to signify style and character.

Patterns and textures like Halftones, Rustic, and cloth textures are widely used as patterns. This makes it easier for the artist to work on a piece. 

Repeating Patterns: Repeating patterns are patterns that get repeated after a certain interval. They are mostly found in brand identities, illustrations, and graffiti.
Unique, Non-Repeating Patterns: These are found mostly in textural work, etc.

Conclusion:

Moreover, These design fundamentals allow your work to be of higher quality and at the same time impactful. You’ve learned eight principles of design. These principles are tried and tested guidelines for designers from all avenues – from beginners to experts.

Got these principles down? But wait, there’s more. The rest of the four principles will be covered in our next blog. Learn and apply these principles in your daily work, you will be amazed by the tremendous increase in your design quality.

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