The Elements and Principles of Design
When it comes to design, whether we are talking about graphic design, interior design, or our favorite – web design, there are a few basics you should know. In this blog post I am going to list the elements and principles of design. We will go over the details of each element and principle in later posts, but for now we will talk about what the elements and principles are.
You may be asking yourself “what is the difference between elements and principles, aren’t they the same thing?”. The answer is no, but they are related.
The elements of design are the basic components involved in creating an design. The elements are the tools that will help you with your design. There are 8 elements of design.
The principles of design are the rules you should follow in design for the best outcome. To have a great design you should consider each principle during your process.
What are the 8 elements of design?
• Color (hue)
• Value (tone)
• Texture
• Shape
• Form
• Space (whitespace)
• Line
• Type
What are the 10 principles of design?
• Contrast
• Emphasis
• Balance
• Unity
• Pattern
• Movement
• Rhythm repetition
• Proportion
• Simplicity
• Gradation
As you can see, it is crucial to focus on both the elements and principles of design. Both work together to create a harmonious and unified design that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
