DESIGN PRINCIPLESHow can design be effective in communicating a message?
Do you have any examples of great design examples to share?
Here is a review of some essential design principles.
 Colour is possibly the most complex design fundamental of all. It is often the difference between success and failure in a design and needs to be explored before we can start to take control. Colours themselves have a specific set of elements to consider. This short video below explains them in a very brief synopsis. The video looks at RGB, CMYK, Hue, Shade and lots more. Pay close attention to the differences they make to how each setting particularly affects the colour. A Brief Lesson on Color Theory from Rhea Lelina Manglapus on Vimeo. Complete the 3 TUTORIALS on colour.
Share finished work on your blog. Be prepared to discuss it with the class.
SYMBOLS & INFOGRAPHICS
Symbols and representative graphics can be used very effectively in visual design.
Specifically, data visualisation and infographics use design principles to create symbols and representative graphics that convey information in a variety of ways.
Check out VISUAL.LY's design portfolio of beautiful designs including lots of infographics.
Typography plays a huge role in design.
Here are the major concepts you should be aware of:
 Learn more HERE
Serifs: Short lines at the end of characters.
Kerning: Space between two letters; becomes very important with large typeface and might need to be adjusted manually.
Tracking or letter spacing: Adjusting overall space between all letters, not just pairs of letters.
Leading: Space between two lines of text; can affect readability.
Baseline shift : Lowest point of most letters (except those that go below it, such as “y” and “g”); can be used to create interest.
Readability: Be aware of line length, spacing, correct hyphenation, causing reader fatigue by using too much coloured text, caps, or curvy, swooshy type.
Fonts: For readability in print and online, compare sans serif to serif and consider size, font families, and the dangers of using too many font combinations. See HERE for a list of font classifications.
 TASK 2: Complete these mini projects on FONTS
Choosing the right fontFont pairing basics Tips for titles Share finished work on your blog. Be prepared to discuss it with the class.
ESSENTIAL READING
LAYOUT TASK 3: Choose a design you like - look at a website, CD cover, postcard, film poster or digipak.
Complete this Design principles worksheet to define each design principle and select an example of how that design represents that particular principle.
Be prepared to share your documents and explain why the example you chose represents a particular design principle.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Take the FOUR ICON CHALLENGE!
FURTHER READING & RESEARCH Design Principles Timothy Samara’s 20 Rules for Good Design Definitions and examples of elements and principles of design 10 principles of good web design: Colour Theory An overview of colour theory and the colour wheel A colour theory tutorial
A site to spur discussion and terminology of colour selection Typography What typography is, featuring type used on letterhead, envelopes, business cards, flyers, and brochures The difference between type on the web and in print and how to bring the two together: Typography for web design Sustainable Design An independent online toolkit for sustainable graphic design Living Principles for Design framework Visual Literacy The Visual Literacy Whitepaper Data Literacy Infographic about Infographics |