ux360.design Principles of design
Name Date
The 11 principles of design
The principles of design are guidelines for arranging the parts of a design, like lines, shapes, colors and words, so the whole thing looks clear and planned.
The 11 principles in one line each
- Repetition
- Use the same feature again and again, like one color for every button.
- Rhythm
- Repeat things with a steady or changing gap, like a beat in music.
- Movement
- Guide the eye along a path through the design.
- Balance
- Spread the visual weight so the design does not feel lopsided.
- Proportion
- Size things to show how they relate. Bigger looks more important.
- White space
- Leave empty space so the important parts can breathe.
- Contrast
- Make things very different in color, size or shape.
- Emphasis
- Make one part stand out as the focal point.
- Hierarchy
- Order things by importance, so people read them in the right order.
- Variety
- Add a change so the design is not dull.
- Unity
- Make all the parts look like they belong together.
Try it
Find a poster, an ad or an app screen. Sketch it in the box.
Name three principles you can see in it. Where is each one?
Read the full lesson: ux360.design/principles-of-design-and-art/
ux360.design The 11 principles of design
Name
Check yourself
Circle one answer for each question.
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1What do the principles of design tell you?
- Which colors are in fashion
- How to arrange the parts of a design
- Which app to design with
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2A website uses the same green for every button. Which principle is that?
- Repetition
- Variety
- Movement
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3A poster has a huge headline, a medium subtitle and small details. Which principle helps you read them in order?
- Unity
- Hierarchy
- Rhythm
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4A design looks dull because every part is exactly the same. Which principle would fix it?
- Repetition
- Unity
- Variety
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5What is white space?
- Space that has to be painted white
- Empty space around and between things
- A part of the design that is not finished
Want to check online? The same questions are at the end of ux360.design/principles-of-design-and-art/
ux360.design The 11 principles of design
For the teacher
Answer key
- 1B. How to arrange the parts of a design. They are guidelines for arranging lines, shapes, colors and words into a clear design.
- 2A. Repetition. Using one feature again and again is repetition. It also helps people learn what a button looks like.
- 3B. Hierarchy. Hierarchy orders things by importance, so the eye goes from the biggest to the smallest.
- 4C. Variety. Variety adds a change, like one different color or shape, so the design stays interesting.
- 5B. Empty space around and between things. White space is any empty space, whatever its color. It gives the important parts room.
In class, about 30 minutes: read the lesson, do page 1, then page 2.
More free handouts: ux360.design/teachers/