4. Here are a few examples of what we traditionally think of when we think of lines:
The first and most basic element of design is that of the line. In drawing, a line is the stroke of the pen
or pencil but in graphic design, it’s any two connected points. Lines are useful for dividing space and
drawing the eye to a specific location. For example, think about how a magazine uses lines to separate
content, headlines and side panels.
6. Color is one of the most obvious elements of design, for both the user and the designer. It can stand
alone, as a background, or be applied to other elements, like lines, shapes, textures or typography.
Color creates a mood within the piece and tells a story about the brand. Every color says something
different, and combinations can alter that impression further.
8. Shapes, geometric or organic, add interest. Shapes are defined by boundaries, such as a lines or color,
and they are often used to emphasize a portion of the page. Everything is ultimately a shape, so you
must always think in terms of how the various elements of your design are creating shapes, and how
those shapes are interacting.
10. Perhaps the single most important part of graphic and web design is typography. Like color, texture,
and shapes, the fonts you use tell readers you’re a serious online news magazine, a playful food blog
or a vintage tea tins shop. Words are important, but the style of the words is equally essential.
12. Negative space is one of the most commonly underutilized and misunderstood aspects of designing
for the page. The parts of the site that are left blank, whether that’s white or some other color, help to
create an overall image. Use negative space to create shapes as you would any other element. Check
out this article if you're interested in learning more about frequently used design terms like negative
space.
14. It’s counter-intuitive to think about texture when the piece isn’t ever going to be touched. Websites
and graphic design do rely on the look and impression of texture on the screen, however. Textures can
create a more three-dimensional appearance on this two-dimensional surface. It also helps build an
immersive world.
16. Playing with the scale and size of your objects, shapes, type and other elements add interest and
emphasis. How boring would a symmetrical website with all similarly sized ingredients be? Very. But
the amount of variation will depend heavily on the content within. Subtle differences suit professional
content, while bold ones prefer creative enterprises.
18. While you can talk about emphasizing one thing or another, the element of emphasis has more to do
with an object, color or style dominating another for a heightened sense of contrast. Contrast is
intriguing, and it creates a focal point.
20. There are two schools of balance: symmetry and asymmetry. While most designers, artists, and creative
folks much prefer asymmetry for its eye-catching nature, symmetry does have its place. Sometimes.
22. Harmony is “The main goal of graphic design,” according to Alex White, author of “The Elements of
Graphic Design.” So, you know it must be important. Harmony is what you get when all the pieces
work together. Nothing should be superfluous. Great design is just enough and never too much. Make
sure all the details accord with one another before you consider the project complete.
24. There’s a lot more to simple design than you think. A
product such as the iPhone may appear clean and
unobtrusive to the naked eye, but there’s a lot going on
beneath the surface that most people don’t know about.
Nor do they need to. They only need to know that it will
do what they need it to do, when they need it to do it.
That’s the underlying principle of Apple-style minimal
design. Not necessarily to “strip” something down, but to
make sure it’s easy to figure out and access with as few
distractions as possible.
https://speckyboy.com/the-10-golden-rules-of-simple-clean-design
https://webdesign.tutsplus.com/articles/how-clean-is-your-web-design--webdesign-4664
https://www.canva.com/learn/five-principles-design-can/
25. It can attract attention, set a mood, and even influence
our emotions and perceptions.
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/color-theory-design
https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/
https://www.sessions.edu/color-calculator/
http://blog.visme.co/color-combinations/
https://www.hootdesignco.com/blog/2015/10/18/how-to-choose-color-combinations-for-your-project-part-1-color-basics
https://www.hootdesignco.com/blog/2015/10/27/create-color-palette-best-color-combinations-for-your-project-part-2
26. To ensure your design is deliberate and each graphic
component (images and type) is thoughtfully and
deliberately positioned, consider employing these four
reminders, which will aid awareness of how you position
graphic elements in relation to each other and to the
format.
Have You MENT It?
1. M = midline
Consider all graphic components in relation to the
format’s midline.
2. E = edges
Consider all graphic elements in response to the format’s
edges.
3. N = negative shapes/space
Consider all negative space.
4. T = transitions
Consider all transitions among graphic elements.
http://www.howdesign.com/design-business/design-thinking/design-hygiene-handy-design-checklist/
https://oss.adm.ntu.edu.sg/wanm0007/2015/09/21/design-principles/
http://thevisualcommunicationguy.com/2014/10/23/the-50-most-important-rules-of-document-design-color-crayon-tip-method/
http://www.canistercreative.com/blog/what-separates-good-design-bad
https://uxplanet.org/10-small-design-mistakes-we-still-make-1cd5f60bc708
27. Serif and Sans Serif are two general categories of
typefaces or fonts, and almost all the fonts we use in
typing can be classified into these two categories.
Though many of us are familiar with these two terms,
what most of us really don’t know is the definite
difference between serif and sans serif. The main
difference between serif and sans serif is apparent is in
their names itself. Serif is a little decorative stroke that
extends from the letters. Therefore, serif can be
described as fonts that contain small finishing strokes at
the end of a character. Sans is the French word for
without. Thus, sans serif fonts can be described as the
fonts that do not have decorative strokes at the end of
the characters.
http://pediaa.com/difference-between-serif-and-sans-serif/
29. A lot to do with personal preference
https://visage.co/11-design-tips-beautiful-presentations/
https://www.duarte.com/top-ten-rules-to-keep-in-mind-when-designing-presentations/
http://www.garrreynolds.com/preso-tips/design/
30. There’s a lot more to simple design than you think. A
product such as the iPhone may appear clean and
unobtrusive to the naked eye, but there’s a lot going on
beneath the surface that most people don’t know about.
Nor do they need to. They only need to know that it will
do what they need it to do, when they need it to do it.
That’s the underlying principle of Apple-style minimal
design. Not necessarily to “strip” something down, but to
make sure it’s easy to figure out and access with as few
distractions as possible.
https://designshack.net/articles/graphics/effective-icon-design/
https://medium.com/ux-power-tools/the-most-efficient-way-to-use-icons-if-youre-a-designer-or-developer-5ce3954c146c
https://design.tutsplus.com/articles/10-styles-that-have-changed-the-face-of-icon-design--cms-29435