The Good and Bad of Effective Design Principles

1. Rachel Merren Design of Print Based Media EDUC 6307 The Good and Badof Effective Design Principles

2. Contrast is an important design element, because it focuses the viewer’s attention on the desired item. Contrast can be created by using colors, images, fonts, and sizes. Providing “white space” can easily create contrast and add visual interest. Contrast can also be created by using texture and graphics that set apart the intended focus of the page. Contrast

3. The Lexus web page is an example of a site with good contrast. It uses white, black and gray to create a classy design with contrasting elements. The graphic of the car draws in the viewer’s attention to the car and the reflection below the graphic adds a visual effect. The use of white space is clear and the page is clean. The advertisement at the bottom is set apart and almost the only color on the page. It stands out and makes the viewer want to click NEXT to find out more. Contrast Source: www.lexus.com

4. This is an example of a page with poor contrast. There is too much going on, and everything is in competition with everything else. Although one cannot tell from this picture, the flags are waving at the top of the page. This immediately draws the viewer’s attention to the flags, but I am not sure if that is the designers intention. Furthermore, there are way too many colors present on the page and the alternating use of red and blue text is confusing . I count 6 different fonts on the main page alone, and that is distracting. It does not produce a clean, well thought out design. Contrast Source: www. fabricland.co.uk

5. The Rolex webpage is another example of a site with good contrast. The viewer’s attention is drawn to the large watch due in part to the size of the graphic. Although it is not noticeable in this still picture, the second hand on the watch is ticking. This is a good example of how movement can create contrast to the still background. Contrast Source: www.rolex.com

6. Repetition is a design element that can help a document or website create a cohesive feel. Elements should be repeated throughout the document to keep the viewer’s attention. Repetition easily allows the viewer’s eyes to flow through the page. Elements that should be repeated can include graphics, font style, and size. Repetition

7. This invitation is an example of a good use of repetition. The bar at the top of the page and the bar at the bottom of the page match. Additionally, the use of the red text for the event name and the important information about the event makes a positive impact. The viewer will continue to read down the page to follow the red text. Furthermore, this invitation is also a good example of effective contrast due to the white space, simple colors, and text. The use of good alignment and proximity are also evident in this example. Repetition Source: creativecurio.com/events-tradeshows-portfolio

8. The Sony website is another example demonstrating effective repetition. The + in front of each tab along with the common color and font create a cohesive, clean design. Additionally, the repetition of the font style and size for each of the captions adds to the visual appeal. Repetition Source: www.sony.com

9. Alignment is an important feature to create a clean, cohesive feel for the design. Each item on a page should be aligned with another item. Center alignment can be appropriate for titles, but too much text aligned in the center is difficult to read. Alignment

10. This is an excellent example of alignment. The dashed lines above show how each of the items are aligned to another item. Furthermore, all text is either left or right justified, and nothing has center alignment. The company name on the paragraph is set apart by the font and size and thus just a little to the left of the following paragraph. Alignment Source: www.protiviti.com

11. This is an example of poor alignment. Everything is aligned with the center, and thus the text looks messy and is hard to read. The main text would look better if it were split apart with bulleted points. Repetition and the use of white space would help the viewer more easily follow the information. Alignment Source: www.stexps.com

12. This is a poster which could be improved upon with the use of alignment. It doesn’t appear as if anything is aligned with anything else except for the Contact information in the bottom right. I would also like to see the yellow repeated for the “Date” and “Venue”. Repetition and alignment would make this poster easier to read. Alignment Source: http://www.phy.iitb.ac.in/olympiad/Olympiad%20Poster.jpg

13. Proximity tell the viewer if items are related to each other. Items should be placed in close proximity if they are related where items should be separated if they are unrelated. The proximity should dictate the organization of the material. Proximity

14. This is an example of a poster created with good proximity and repetition. The splashes of red in the black, white, and gray forces the viewer’s eyes down the page to see each of the different sections. The space in between each section creates proximity to help organize the poster. Related items such as the title, price, menu, expiration, and contact information are all separated for easy viewing. Proximity Source: www.malossol.co.za/images/ad_beluga_prawn_1.jpg

15. This example shows a website with poor proximity, alignment, and contrast. It is very difficult for the viewer to tell that this site is showing locations of an IT store. All items seem to be placed the same distance apart and the horizontal alignment is very difficult to follow. It would be easier if the region and stores were clustered together to give the reader some indication of organization. Proximity Source: www.msy.com.au