Basic Design Principles

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Basic Design Principles

• Computer as a Teachers Aide

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Group Related Elements

• Scattered elements are visually confusing
• The eye cant settle on what is important
• Related elements are confusing

3
Organize

• Use small groups
• Group headlines together
• Put address in small block
• KEEP WHITE SPACE BETWEEN ELEMENTS

Exploring Our World
Types of energy
Nick Miceli1000 River Rd.Teaneck, NJ
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Visual Elements

• Group related elements
• Reader will take each part as a unit
• Unrelated information should be separated by
  white space, lines and borders

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Example

• Look at this flyer advertising a car for sale
• The cars features can be listed close to each
  other
• The proximity indicates they are related
• Your contact information should not be in the
  same list
• Should be set off by white space or line

Nick Miceli1000 River Rd.Teaneck,
NJ201.823.9350
6
Alignment

• Consciously align each element with something on
  the page
• Alignment helps the reader digest the information
• The imaginary line that connects aligned items
  reinforces their connection
• More pleasing to the eye

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Alignment
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Text Alignment

• The key to using alignment effectively is to
  align everything along a strong margin.
• This makes everything easier to read.
• In most cases left align
• headings, body text, images and captionsalong
  the left margin.
• Right alignment is most useful for small sections
  of text
• title sheets for thesis papers, and captions for
  images

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Text Alignment (cont.)

• Four types of alignment
• Left most used
• Right useful for small bits of text
• Center formal and sedate
• Difficult to read
• Full good for column work
• Newspapers
• Align along an axis

10
Visual Unity

• Pick colors that harmonize with each other
• Theme should be carried through your presentation
  
• Repeat colors, logos, icons and shapes

11
Contrast and Emphasis

• Contrast creates emphasis
• Use high contrast headlines
• Bold, large font or reverse color background
• Contrast provides natural grouping
• Items in high contrast is set apart from others

bold
BOLD
BOLD
BOLD
The large red apple was good.
12
Borders

• Page borders are easily overdone
• The page border is a natural frame
• Used correctly they can unify a project
• Borders, lines and boxes can be used within the
  page to set off a section
• When in doubt dont use a border rely on white
  space

13
White Space

• Refers to the empty space between design elements
• Use this element liberally
• Provides breathing room to your graphic elements
• Helps readers eye flow from one topic to the
  next
• Creates a clean, open and inviting space
• Clutter creates a feeling of visual exhaustion
  white space is the antidote

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White Space

• Margins, line spaces, frames (without lines)
• Effectively highlights areas of page
• Use for impact
• Establishes contrast

15
Final Words

• Keep your design simple
• Use the rule of six
• six words per line
• six bullets per page
• Font size and style
• No more than three changes
• Read a printed copy at you feet
• Remember continuity is the key!

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Color/Balance