- About Wacom
- Contact
- Login
- Location
- Asia
- Central South America
- Europe, Middle East, and Africa
- North America
- Oceania Pacific
- Hong Kong S.A.R.
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- China (Mainland)
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
- All Others
- Austria
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Russia
- Australia
- New Zealand
- All Others
Alignment
Making sure the elements of any design are aligned is essential. It creates order and ensures that nothing appears as if it’s been placed randomly. You can align different aspects of your design along the top, bottom, side or middle – the main goal is to ensure that they all look as if they are related to one another. This doesn’t mean grouping the same aspects together, rather that images, text boxes and shapes are all on similar lines to make it easy for people to understand. All design software packages have tools to show you when elements are lined up neatly, so there’s no need for guesswork.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy means putting your design’s most important message or purpose front and center. For starters, that means knowing exactly what that message is before you power up your design software, pick up your tablet and stylus, and get to work. Getting your key message to pop off the page can be achieved by simply putting it right at the top of your design, utilizing bold fonts to draw viewers’ eyes to it or using framing to make it stand out. Once this is done, you can build other messages around it – from calls to action such as Twitter and Instagram handles or address and contact details for an event.
Contrast
If you want to make your designs look sharp, then making use of contrast should be top priority. This could mean using opposite colors, such as black and white, to make text eye–catching to readers; making one aspect thick and another thin; or simply using large and small shapes to make someone sit up and take notice when glancing at an ad or a newspaper on public transport. Play with colors, fonts and text sizes to see what works best. Contrast is a great way to express your creativity within the confines of graphic design’s key principles.
Repetition
Using repetition allows you to create consistency, giving your designs for a brand or client (or even just yourself) a look that can be discerned easily. This could mean using the same fonts and text size throughout a single design or campaign, or using color swatches to find a favorite shade that can be used throughout, whether it’s in the background, for text or on borders and frames. Repetition will also help hammer home any messaging, leaving consumers and readers in no doubt about what you’re selling or showcasing.
Proximity
Proximity doesn’t just mean putting all the key parts of your design close together. While that is one approach to take, especially as it can make the entire work look visually arresting and well put together, it could also mean using the same typeface for related parts of a design. As long as those looking at your work can tell which parts are related to each other, then you’re making solid use of proximity, giving the design an edge, especially important when trying to sell a product.
Balance
There are different ways to balance a design. It can be done symmetrically, making sure elements such as text, images and frames are reflected exactly on either side. An asymmetrical approach is equally valid – this could mean making sure that colors balance each other out, or that fonts are double the size in one text box compared with another. The aim is to make a design look stable and well put together, meaning there’s no need to randomly place elements in a bid to stand out.
Color
It pays to learn the basics about color before you start designing. That means understanding color theory, from knowing that red can stir anger and that blue is used to induce a calming effect. Pulling specific colors from an image to use for a design’s text is a great way to start. Design software will help you do this easily, while many tools also give you hints as to what colors work well together. Get this right and your work will grab attention quickly.
Space
It might seem counter-intuitive, but the space you leave blank is just as important as the space you fill. By leaving areas of a design free of words, frames or dominant images, viewers’ eyes will be pulled towards key messaging. In web design, this often means placing text boxes and pictures in the top left-hand corner, where the eye is naturally drawn to on a desktop screen. In magazines, large areas of white space can give the page a less cluttered, more refined feel.
You may also like
Discover more
See all Wacom families of products
Pen tablets
Sketch, draw and edit images with a responsive pad, a precise pen and see your creations appear on screen.
Pen displays
Draw, design and create directly on a high resolution screen with a precise pen.
Pen computers
Create anything, anywhere with enhanced computing power, a precise pen and an awesome display.
About Wacom
Wacom’s vision is to bring people and technology closer together through natural interface technologies. This has made it the world’s leading manufacturer of interactive pen tablets and displays as well as of digital styli and solutions for saving and processing digital signatures. The advanced technology of Wacom’s intuitive input devices has been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and designs around the world and provides business and home users with their leading interface technology to express their personality. Founded in 1983, Wacom is a global company based in Japan (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727) with subsidiaries and affiliate offices around the world to support marketing and distribution in over 150 countries.
Back to top
A+ A-
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of design principles and graphic design software, I'd like to emphasize the importance of mastering the fundamental concepts discussed in the article. My expertise in graphic design extends to practical experience with various design software packages, including those mentioned in the context of Wacom's products.
Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the article:
-
Alignment:
- Aligning elements in a design is crucial for creating order and cohesion.
- Utilize tools in design software to ensure precise alignment along top, bottom, side, or middle axes.
-
Hierarchy:
- Establishing a clear hierarchy is vital to emphasize the most important message or purpose of a design.
- Utilize bold fonts, framing, and strategic placement to make the key message stand out.
-
Contrast:
- Effective use of contrast, such as employing opposite colors or varying text sizes, enhances visual appeal.
- Play with colors, fonts, and shapes to make elements stand out and capture attention.
-
Repetition:
- Employing repetition creates consistency in design, offering a recognizable look for a brand or campaign.
- Consistent use of fonts, text sizes, and color swatches reinforces messaging.
-
Proximity:
- Proximity involves placing related design elements close together for visual impact.
- Consistent use of typefaces for related parts of a design also contributes to effective proximity.
-
Balance:
- Achieving balance can be done symmetrically or asymmetrically, ensuring stability and a well-organized appearance.
- Balance elements like text, images, and frames to create a harmonious design.
-
Color:
- Understanding color theory is essential for effective design.
- Designers should know how colors evoke emotions, and tools in design software can assist in selecting harmonious color schemes.
-
Space:
- Leaving intentional white space is as crucial as filling space in a design.
- Blank areas guide the viewer's attention to key messaging, and in web or print design, it influences the flow of information.
The article also touches upon Wacom's products, emphasizing the company's vision of bringing people and technology closer through natural interface technologies. Wacom's interactive pen tablets, displays, and digital styli play a significant role in facilitating the creative process for designers and artists. The company's commitment to providing advanced technology aligns with the principles discussed, enabling users to express their creativity effectively.
In conclusion, mastering these design principles and utilizing tools like those offered by Wacom can significantly enhance the quality and impact of visual communication in various creative fields.
