Visual Design Principles

Visual Design Principles

Design is how visual elements - shape, line, colour, and pattern - work together to communicate an idea or feeling. Before we look at software, it helps to understand a few basic principles:

• Repetition - repeating a shape or colour creates rhythm and unity across a design.
• Balance - elements can be arranged symmetrically (mirror image) or asymmetrically (different but still feeling even).
• Contrast - putting different colours or shapes next to each other makes both stand out more.
• Proportion - the relative size of elements affects what the eye notices first.

These principles appear in design traditions around the world, including in the curvilinear patterns, double-curve motifs, and geometric forms found in Wabanaki art and craftwork.