ETEC 6307: Design of Print-Based Media Design

DESIGN PRINCIPLES
BY ALEXANDRIA BYRD
 TODAY’S DESIGN MENU

PRINCIPLE IMAGES PRINCIPLE IMAGES

BALANCE EMPHASIS

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REPETITION VARIETY

PATTERN
 PRINCIPLE #1:BALANCE: THE DISTRIBUTION OF
OBJECTS, TEXTURES, COLORS, AND SPACE SO THAT THE DESIGN FEELS
STABLE

Explanation:

• The Dark Knight film

centers on the
antagonistic relationship
between characters. The
design is well-balanced
and shows both sides of
the plot creatively.

• The Beatles’ Abbey Road

album cover serves as a
balanced image,
because the cars and
trees frame the shorturl.at/ajpIQ
bandmates in a way that
is complementary to the
lines.
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 PRINCIPLE #2: REPETITION: THE REPETITION OF A PATTERN TO
CREATE UNITY OR ACTION

Explanation:

• The Career Expo flier

displays repetitive and
unique Window inserts to
emphasize the
importance of technology
when seeking
employment.

• The waterfall design

simulates an actual
waterfall be using the shorturl.at/emGIN
repetition of words to
mirror the movement of
water.

• shorturl.at/cDJS2
 PRINCIPLE #3 PATTERN: AN UNDERLYING STRUCTURE THAT
PLACES TEXTURES OR LINES IN A STEADY, FIXED MANNER.
PATTERN EXISTS IN NATURE AS WELL AS IN DESIGNED OBJECTS; IT IS USEFUL TO LOOK
AT THE PARALLELS. shorturl.at/jzBGQ
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Explanation:

• The bright, 1970’s inspired pattern uses small, colorful arrows to make a larger zigzag
pattern.

• The designer of this poster positioned a pattern of multicolored birds into a larger image of a
tree to show the similarity to various cultures.
 PRINCIPLE #4 EMPHASIS: DESIGN THAT DIRECTS THE
VIEWER’S FOCUS TO A SPECIFIC ELEMENT.

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Explanation:

• The piano keys embody jazz music and draw the viewer’s eye into the heart of this genre and
festival.

• The film subtly displays a car’s gauge on the protagonist’s face, but they it seems like the
emphasis is on him and the places he goes throughout the plot based on the center placement.
 PRINCIPLE #5 VARIETY: THE USE OF DISTINCT
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN TO HOLD THE VIEWER’S ATTENTION

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Explanation:

• The full-spectrum of colors and dynamic characters performing different actions highlights the
purpose of showing the creative possibilities of a career path or passion.

• A designer choice to exaggerate the unique features of various animals to make them as visually
different as possible. The colors of each square also give the design a special flair as well.
NAME THAT DESIGN PRINCIPLE!

QUIZ
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