5 Visual Design Principles

Question 1

What are the 5 Visual Design Principles?

Answer 1

• Balance
• Rhythm
• Emphasis
• Proportion and Scale
• Unity

Question 2

What is Balance?

What are the types of balance and what do they look like?

Answer 2

Balance is the parts of the design that are equally distributed to create a sense of stability. There can be physical as well as visual balance.

Types

Symmetrical or Formal Balance - not identical but equal in visual weight

Asymmetrical or Informal Balance - not equal in visual weight

Radial Balance - radiates outward from the center

Vertical Balance - visual weight distributed vertically

Horizontal Balance - visual weight distributed horizontally

Question 3

What is Rhythm?

What are the types of Rhythm and what do they look like?

Answer 3

Rhythm is the repeated use of line, shape, color, texture, or pattern.

Types

• Regular Rhythm - same element is repeated each time
• Graduated Rhythm - the beats of the element become closer or further apart as they move
• Random Rhythm - beats of the elements are random and irregular
• Gradated Rhythm - repeated element is identical with the exception of one detail increasing or decreasing gradually with each repetition.

Question 4

What is Emphasis? How can that be expressed?

Answer 4

• Points of attention in a design
• The feature in a design that attracts one’s eye
• The focal point
• Emphasis can be achieved through size, placement, color and use of lines
• The most personal aspect of a design

Question 5

What are the aspects of Proportion and Scale?

Answer 5

• Comparitive relationship between elements in a design with respect to size
• 3 : 5 ratio (not rational #) is known as the Golden Mean

Scale

• the proportion or size of one part of the image in relatirelationshipe other

Question 6

What is Unity?

Answer 6

• Unity is applying consistent use of lines, color and texture within a design
• To be harmonious