{"id":49365,"date":"2026-06-04T08:19:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T08:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/?p=49365"},"modified":"2026-06-04T09:13:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T09:13:34","slug":"the-7-principles-of-design-and-how-to-use-them-with-infographic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/the-7-principles-of-design-and-how-to-use-them-with-infographic\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 principles of design and how to use them (with infographic)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Design differs from art in that it has to have a purpose. Visually, this functionality is interpreted by making sure an image has a center of attention, a point of focus. Maybe you\u2019re thinking, \u201cBut wait! I thought design was all about creativity?\u201d If you\u2019re a business owner, marketer or designer who\u2019s just starting out, you might be tempted to go wild and combine the first five typefaces and colors that catch your eye, believing you\u2019re creating something fresh and new. You will probably find yourself with a design that is muddled, unfinished or, well, just plain ugly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Graphic design, like any discipline, adheres to strict rules that work beneath the surface to make the work stable and balanced. The <strong>principles of design<\/strong> are the rules you must follow to create an effective and attractive design composition.&nbsp; If the design is missing that balance, it will be weak and ineffective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Key takeaways            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <ul>\n<li>Understand the seven core design principles: Emphasis, Balance, Contrast, Repetition, Proportion, Movement and White space \u2013 and why they matter.<\/li>\n<li>Learn how each principle guides the viewer\u2019s eye and strengthens communication.<\/li>\n<li>Discover additional design elements and concepts such as hierarchy, framing, typography, color and shape that refine your work.<\/li>\n<li>Get a quick, step-by-step method for using these principles on logos, posters, packaging and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Principles of design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about design principles by watching our video or reading below. Either way, knowing these principles and how to use them can help your designs capture attention, improve recognition and make your marketing messages easier to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What are the 7 principles of design? And how do you use them?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qLlp1uv7fQA?feature=oembed&#038;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Principle<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Definition<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Direct application<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Emphasis<\/td><td>Making one element stand out more than others<\/td><td>Use it to highlight your headline, offer or call-to-action.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Balance and alignment<\/td><td>Distributing visual weight and organizing elements so they feel connected<\/td><td>Use it to keep layouts clear and prevent important content from feeling crowded.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Contrast<\/td><td>Creating distinction between elements using differences in color, size, shape or typography<\/td><td>Use it to improve readability and make key messages stand out.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Repetition<\/td><td>Reusing visual elements like colors, fonts or shapes<\/td><td>Use it to create consistency and reinforce your brand.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Proportion<\/td><td>Managing the relationship between the size and weight of design elements<\/td><td>Use it to show viewers which information matters most.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Movement<\/td><td>Guiding the viewer\u2019s eye through a design in a deliberate order<\/td><td>Use it to lead attention from headlines to supporting information and calls to action.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>White space<\/td><td>Using empty space around elements intentionally<\/td><td>Use it to improve readability and give important content room to stand out.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emphasis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first of the design principles is emphasis, referring to the focal point of a design and the order of importance of each element within a design. Say you\u2019re creating a custom poster for a concert. You should ask yourself: <em>what is the first piece of information my audience needs to know?<\/em> Is it the band? Or the concert venue? What about the day and the cost of attending?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design principle Emphasis features a rectangle of discreet navy dots with the central dot in an orange star shape.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-38683\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1755160425\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1755160425\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Emphasis\/Emphasis.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Make a mental outline. Let your brain organize the information and then lay out your design in a way that communicates that order. If the band\u2019s name is the most essential information, place it in the center or make it the biggest element on the poster. Or you could put it in the strongest, boldest type. Learn about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/how-to-pick-brand-colors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">brand color theory<\/a> and use strong color combinations to make your brand and business design pop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like writing without an outline or building without a blueprint, if you start your composition without a clear idea of what you\u2019re trying to communicate, your design will not succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>Your main message should stand out at a glance. If you relax your gaze or zoom out and several elements still compete for your attention, the focal point probably isn\u2019t strong enough.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Balance and alignment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Never forget that every element you place on a page has a weight. The weight can come from color, size or texture. Just like you wouldn\u2019t put all your furniture in one corner of a room, you can\u2019t crowd all your heavy elements in one area of your composition. Without balance, your audience will feel as if their eyes are sliding off the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design principle Balance &amp; Alignment features two equal-weight light blue lines with a row of discreet navy dots between.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49380\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559763\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559763\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-balance.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Symmetrical design creates balance through equally weighted elements aligned on either side of a center line. On the other hand, asymmetrical design uses opposite weights (like contrasting one large element with several smaller elements) to create a composition that is not even, but still has equilibrium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Symmetrical designs are always pleasing, if not occasionally boring. Asymmetrical designs are bolder and can bring real visual interest and movement to your composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>Try viewing your design upside down for a few seconds. Removing the content from the equation makes it easier to notice whether one side feels visually heavier than the other.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contrast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrast is what people mean when they say a design \u201cpops.\u201d It comes away from the page and sticks in your memory. Contrast creates space and difference between elements in your design. Your background needs to be significantly different from the color of your elements so they work harmoniously together and are readable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>Contrast doesn\u2019t have to come from color. Size, spacing, weight and shape can create just as much impact, often with a cleaner result.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design principle Contrast features a rectangle made of two sides: one dark blue with a light blue dot and the other light blue with a dark dot.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49379\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559757\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559757\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-contrast.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan to work with fonts, understanding contrast is essential because it means the weight and size are balanced. How will your audience know what is most important if everything is in bold? A large headline paired with smaller supporting text, or a bold call-to-action surrounded by generous white space, can be just as effective as contrasting typefaces. In fact, many strong designs rely on just one or two fonts, using different weights and sizes to create distinction. Contrast can be created through typography and color, but it also comes from differences in size, spacing and shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>Looking for fresh ways to create contrast with type? Explore the top <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/font-trends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">font trends<\/a> of the year for inspiration on pairing styles, weights and layouts.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Repetition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you limit yourself to two strong typefaces or three strong colors, you\u2019ll soon find you\u2019ll have to repeat some things. That\u2019s ok! It\u2019s often said that repetition unifies and strengthens a design. If only one thing on your poster is in blue italic sans-serif, it can read like an error. If three things are in blue italic sans-serif, you\u2019ve created a motif and are back in control of your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>Create a small set of repeatable rules before you start designing \u2013 headline style, button style, spacing, colors. Decisions become faster and your design stays more consistent.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design principle Repetition features a rectangle made of smaller discreet diamond shapes in alternating orange and dark blue.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49378\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559770\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559770\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-repetition.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Proportion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Proportion is the visual size and weight of elements in a composition and how they relate to each other. It often helps to approach your design in sections, instead of as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grouping related items can give them importance at a smaller size \u2013 think of a box at the bottom of your poster for ticket information or a sidebar on a website for a search bar. Proportion can be achieved only if all elements of your design are well-sized and thoughtfully placed. Once you master alignment, balance and contrast, proportion usually emerges organically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design principle Proportion features a rectangle made of large orange circles balanced proportionally to sets of four smaller blue circles.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49377\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559777\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559777\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-proportion.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>When everything is similar in size, viewers have to work harder to understand what matters. Make important elements noticeably larger rather than slightly larger.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Going back to our concert poster. If you decided the band was the most important piece of information on the page and the venue was the second, how would you communicate that with your audience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Movement is controlling the elements in a composition so that the eye moves from one to the next and the information is properly communicated to your audience. Movement creates the story or the narrative of your work: a band is playing, it\u2019s at this location, it\u2019s at this time, here\u2019s how you get tickets. The elements above \u2013 especially balance, alignment and contrast \u2013 will work towards that goal, but without proper movement, your design will flop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design principle Movement features a rectangle made of small light blue circles and a diagonal line of arrows pointing down and right.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49376\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559783\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559783\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-movement.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you look at your design and feel your eye get \u201cstuck\u201d anywhere on it \u2013 an element is too big, too bold, slightly off-center, not a complementary color \u2013 go back and adjust until everything is in harmony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>Start at your main headline and follow the path your eye naturally takes. If you jump around the page instead of moving smoothly through it, your layout may need adjusting.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">White space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All of the other principles of design focus on what you add to a composition. White space (or negative space) focuses on what you leave out. It\u2019s the empty area around the elements in your design, and it shapes how those elements are seen, understood and prioritized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many beginning designers, white space can be difficult to get right. Empty areas often feel unfinished, which creates the temptation to fill every gap with text, icons or decorative elements. That instinct usually creates the opposite effect. Crowded layouts compete for attention and make important information harder to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design principle White Space features a group of different size rectangles spaced evenly on a background of navy blue.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49375\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559750\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559750\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space\/visual-representation-of-the-design-principle-white-space.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>White space creates structure. It separates related content, establishes hierarchy and gives the eye a place to rest. The space around an element also changes how it feels: a tightly packed layout can feel busy, while generous spacing often creates a cleaner, more refined look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>White space in design also plays a practical role across marketing materials. Used well, it can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Improve readability on websites and emails<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Draw attention to calls to action<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a more polished feel on packaging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce visual clutter in social media graphics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>If a design feels like it\u2019s missing something, pause before adding another element. Remove one instead. Extra space is often the adjustment that brings everything else into focus.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Negative space can also become part of the design itself. Some logos use it to reveal a second image or idea that isn\u2019t obvious at first glance, adding another layer of meaning for viewers who take a closer look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Principles of design infographic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"409\" height=\"1024\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_409,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-16058\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_409,h_1024,c_scale\" data-format=\"png\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1715849785\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_409,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 1760w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_4123,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_3623,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_3122,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_2622,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_2121,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_1621,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_1121,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_620,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1715849785\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1\/7-Design-Principles-With-copy-1.png?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1760px) 100vw, 1760px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"other-useful-design-concepts\">Other useful design concepts and elements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the seven fundamentals, there are additional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/elements-of-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">design elements<\/a> that can help refine your work and make communication clearer. Concepts like color, typography, shape, line and texture are the building blocks of a design, while principles determine how those pieces are arranged and used. The elements below can help strengthen your layout and help guide your audience through it more effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hierarchy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hierarchy is the deliberate ranking of components so the viewer knows what to read or notice first, second and third. Size, weight, placement and color all help you build a visual ladder of importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design element Hierarchy features a wide column of multicolored rectangles and lines with the top thickest and the bottom thinnest.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49373\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559800\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559800\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-hierarchy.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Framing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Framing uses borders, shapes or surrounding elements to focus attention and create context. A frame can be literal (a box or stroke) or implied (negative space around an object) to separate or highlight content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design element Framing features a large circle holding several smaller circles of various colors.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49372\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559808\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559808\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-framing.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Typography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Typography is more than choosing a pretty font. It\u2019s how you combine typefaces, weights, sizes, spacing and alignment to enhance readability and tone. Good typography reinforces hierarchy and contrast, guiding the reader effortlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design element Typography features three lines of copy: \u201cHeading,\u201d \u201cSubheading\u201d and \u201cBody copy\u201d \u2013 with Heading largest and heaviest and Body copy in a finer styling.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49371\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559742\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559742\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-typography.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Color<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Color sets mood, builds brand recognition and creates emphasis. Follow current <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/color-trends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">color trends<\/a> \u2013 such as the latest <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/pantone-color-of-the-year\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pantone Color of the Year<\/a> \u2013 and use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/color-psychology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">color psychology<\/a> and theory to pair hues that harmonize or intentionally clash to grab attention. Limit palettes to maintain consistency and avoid visual noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design element Color features a fan of \u201ccards\u201d in different complementary colors of oranges and blues.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49370\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559814\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559814\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-color.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shape<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Shapes, geometric or organic, carry meaning and direct the eye. Repeating shapes can create rhythm, while contrasting shapes add interest. Consider how shapes interact to support balance and movement in your layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Visual representation of the design element Shape features a light blue square, a dark blue triangle and an orange circle, all of about the same size.\" class=\"wp-post-49365 wp-image-49369\" data-transformation-crop=\"w_1024,h_569,c_scale\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1780559822\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_569,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 1800w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1648,h_915,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 1648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1448,h_804,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 1448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_693,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_582,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_471,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_360,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_248,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_137,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1780559822\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape\/visual-representation-of-the-design-element-shape.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-use-design-principles\">How to use the principles of design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to put these design principles into practice:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Start by defining your message in one sentence: <em>what must viewers know first?<\/em> Use that to set emphasis and hierarchy.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sketch quick thumbnail layouts to test balance, alignment and movement.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose one or two typefaces and a limited color palette to control contrast and repetition.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Group related information to manage proportion, and then deliberately add (or subtract) white space to let key elements breathe.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Iterate, step back, squint and adjust until the eye flows effortlessly from point A to point B.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A design doesn\u2019t have to strictly follow these rules to be \u201cgood,\u201d and there are many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/graphic-design-trends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">graphic design trends<\/a> that don\u2019t. Some absolutely mind-blowing designs ignore principles to create eye-catching and effective work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Tip            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <p>Still building your design skills? Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/graphic-design-for-beginners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">graphic design for beginners<\/a> covers foundational concepts, tools and techniques to help you put these principles into practice with confidence.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Applying design principles through an inclusive lens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Design principles become even stronger when they make information easier to read, navigate and understand. Small design choices can have a big impact on how comfortably all people with all accessibility levels can interact with your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Contrast:<\/strong> Make text easy to read by creating enough distinction between text and background colors. Avoid relying on color alone to communicate information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Typography:<\/strong> Choose font sizes, spacing and line lengths that remain easy to scan across different devices. Design with responsiveness in mind so content is just as readable on a mobile screen as it is on a desktop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>White space:<\/strong> Give elements room to breathe. Clear spacing can make layouts feel less overwhelming and help viewers focus on what matters most.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Movement:<\/strong> Use animation and visual effects thoughtfully. Too much movement can distract viewers and pull attention away from important information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get-started\">Now you\u2019re ready to design!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The elements of a design should be viewed as moving parts that combine to tell a story. As you approach your design project, you must first familiarize yourself with these principles of design. Only then will you be able to break these graphic design rules to create your own signature style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before applying these principles to your own work, explore these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/branding-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">small business branding design examples<\/a> to see how they&#8217;re used across real-world brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-design-cta-block\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-design-cta-block swan swan-custom-cta-block px-6 swan-py-4 section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-3 swan-display-flex span-justify-center\">\n            <div class=\"swan-mr-4\">\n                <div class=\"swan-text-x3large swan-text-black swan-font-secondary swan-mb-5\">\n                    Ready to apply these principles of designs on your marketing materials?                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"swan-text-black swan-text-xm1 text-description\">\n                    Meet customers where they are with custom marketing materials \u2013 in the mail, at events or on the street.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                            <div class=\"vp-custom-design-cta-block-button\">\n                    \n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/marketing-materials\"\n   title=\"Explore custom marketing materials\"\n   target=\"_blank\"\n   class=\"swan-button swan-button-skin-primary\"\n    data-tracking-event=\"Navigation Clicked\" data-tracking-event-detail=\"\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49365;https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/marketing-materials;Content:Text Link;Explore custom marketing materials\" data-tracking-navigation-detail=\"Explore custom marketing materials\">\n    Explore custom marketing materials<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"design-principles-faq\">FAQs about design principles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why are design principles important?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Design principles help bring structure to your work. They guide the viewer\u2019s eye, show what matters most and make information easier to understand. Without them, even a visually appealing design can end up feeling cluttered or confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the difference between elements and principles of design?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Elements are the pieces you use to build a design \u2013 things like color, shape, typography and texture. Principles are the guidelines for arranging those pieces so your design feels clear, balanced and easy to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are design principles the same for all types of design?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The fundamentals stay the same, but how you apply them changes depending on the format. A website, product package, social media post and poster all use principles like emphasis, contrast and balance, but each has different goals and constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can I practice these principles without formal training?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Start small. Redesign a flyer you find on a noticeboard, improve the layout of a social post or create different versions of the same design while focusing on one principle at a time. Small exercises like these help train your eye surprisingly quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Design differs from art in that it has to have a purpose. Visually, this functionality is interpreted by making sure [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":218,"featured_media":49368,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"The Principles Of Design And How To Use Them (With Infographic) | VistaPrint US","_seopress_titles_desc":"Learn how to use the principles of design to create stronger marketing materials, build brand recognition and attract more customers.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design-tips"],"acf":{"vp_publishing_settings_post_modified":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49365","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/218"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49365"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49365\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49395,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49365\/revisions\/49395"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}