Everything that we encounter in our daily lives, be it a place, a building or even an object like a pen, is a design. However, design is not just the outer appearance of the object, it also determines how well the user can interact with it.
But what makes a design good?
Here are the 7 basic design principles that determine how good your design is:
In design, it is necessary to create a sense of visual balance in order to make it appealing to the eye. A balanced design can be achieved in various ways such as symmetry, asymmetry, with shapes, colours, textures etc.
This iconic monument, designed by Fariborz Sahba, is a well-balanced structure that showcases vertical symmetry, hence having a formal balance throughout.
Hierarchy creates an orderly design that shows the relationship between various elements that are present in it. This helps direct the focus of the viewers to the key element first and creates an order.
The creative utilisation of size, colour, shape, and orientation are used to establish hierarchy of a composition.
Hierarchy in spaces can be seen by the arrangement of the different elements like the domes in the main building and the four minarets of Taj Mahal.
Use of visually different elements that are poles apart help create contrast in a design. Contrasting designs helps guide the viewer's eye to a highlighting space that needs most attention.
Adding contrast is a simple task and can be done by:
Contrasting Style of the World Maritime University
In this building built by the firm Terroir and Kim Utzon Arkitekter, contrast is seen through the variety of styles, shapes, textures and materials.
Emphasis helps create a focal point in the given space. One area can have an accent or highlighting effect so that the user can emphasize on it, which is the crux of this principle.
Emphasis can be done using:
The design of this airport makes the viewer's eyes go to the highlighted part in red color.
Repeating the same element in order to create a design pattern is called repetition. Repetition has the ability to bring a design to life as it adds a sense of movement. It also helps achieve consistency.
Repetition can be done with the help of repeating the same:
With the repetition of the same shape and structure thrice, an interesting building design has been created, making a uniform but unique pattern.
Scale refers to the comparison of the size of one object to a standard reference, while proportion is the comparison of the sizes of different parts of an object in relation to the whole. In a good design it is necessary to have varying scales of different objects to create interest among the users.
A sense of scale and proportion can be easily made out by comparing the size of the structure and the humans present in this monument.
In order to create a sense of movement in design it is necessary that the design has a certain rhythm. Rhythm helps maintain a flow, which keeps the user’s eye connected and follows a path.
Rhythm can be achieved by repeating:
Rhythm formed by the use of elements, shapes, colours and textures in the facade gives a sense of movement in this building designed by Lyon.
