DESIGN PRINCIPLES - TASK 1: EXPLORATION
2/2/26 - 1/3/26 (Week 1 - Week 4)
Lim Jia Xuan 0371026
GCD60804 Design Principles
Task 1:Exploration
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 LECTURES
Point
The simplest element of design
Indicates a position in space
Repetition of points can create patterns, lines, or shapes
Line
Created by connecting points
Can guide the viewer’s eye
Used to show direction, movement, or boundaries
Shape
A two-dimensional enclosed area
Formed by lines or colour
Can be geometric or organic
Form
A three-dimensional version of shape
Has height, width, and depth
Gives a sense of volume and mass
Texture
- Refers to surface quality
Can be tactile or visually implied
Adds depth and visual interest
Space
The area around, between, and within elements
Includes positive and negative space
Helps create balance and clarity
Colour
Adds mood, emotion, and meaning
Used to create contrast and emphasis
Helps establish visual hierarchy
Contrast
Shows differences between elements
Creates visual interest
Helps important elements stand out
Gestalt Theory
Explains how the eye groups visual elements
Focuses on seeing the whole rather than parts
Principle of Similarity
Similar elements are perceived as related
Creates unity and organisation
Principle of Continuation
The eye naturally follows lines and paths
Guides viewers through a design
Principle of Closure
The mind completes incomplete forms
Allows shapes to be perceived as whole
Principle of Proximity
Elements placed close together are seen as related
Improves organisation and readability
Principle of Figure / Ground
Distinguishes the main subject from the background
Helps direct viewer focus
Principle of Symmetry & Order
Creates balance and stability
Results in a structured and organised composition
2.0 INSTRUCTIONS
3.0 TASK 1: EXPLORATION
Contrast highlights the differences between elements in a design. It creates visual interest and helps draw attention to key areas, allowing certain parts of the design to stand out more clearly.
In this poster, colour contrast is created by placing red elements against a consistent background. The red elements stand out immediately, creating a strong contrast with the background. This enhances visibility and helps guide the viewer’s attention towards the highlighted areas and the intended meaning of the figure.
Emphasis is achieved when a design directs the viewer’s attention towards a dominant element, highlighting its importance within the overall composition.
In this image, emphasis is created through the use of colour and shape to establish a clear focal point. A bright red outer ring and a solid black inner circle stand out against a messy background formed by organic lines. Although the viewer’s eye may initially follow the leading lines, the red circle quickly redirects attention and draws the viewer’s focus to the centre.
In this poster, symmetrical balance is applied, as both the top and bottom of the design carry an equal visual weight, creating a balanced overall composition. However, the designer adds visual interest by introducing pattern to one half of the circular form while still maintaining symmetry. In symmetrical balance, elements on one side are mirrored on the other, resulting in equal visual weight. This creates a strong sense of stability and order within the composition.
Repetition is the repeated use of visual elements such as colours, shapes, or patterns to create consistency and unity within a design.
In this image, comma shapes are repeated throughout the composition. The repeated use of the comma not only reinforces visual consistency but also introduces a sense of movement, guiding the viewer’s eye across the image. This repetition creates rhythm, keeping the composition visually engaging and dynamic.
Movement is the use of visual elements to guide the viewer’s eye through a design, creating a sense of flow and direction.
In this poster, movement is demonstrated by guiding the viewer’s eye from top to bottom. The designer uses lines as leading elements, drawing attention to the car as it appears to travel downward through the composition.
Harmony and unity arise when shapes, lines, colours, and other elements are combined thoughtfully, so the composition feels balanced and integrated.
In this image, the typography and human figures work together to create a balanced and harmonious look. The poster combines straight, sharp lines with curved lines in both the figures and the text, blending these elements so they appear unified and consistent throughout the design.
A symbol is a shape, sign, or object used to represent an idea or concept, allowing information to be communicated quickly.
In this image, the Möbius loop is creatively formed by joining both hands to create the shape. Using a symbol in a creative way like this enhances interaction between the designer and the viewer, making the design more engaging and memorable.
This principle emphasises how combining text and visuals can guide the viewer’s understanding and engagement, creating a more effective and memorable design.
As a Sudoku lover, I find this image particularly appealing because of its interactive design approach. The designer arranges the letters in flowing, slightly overlapping grids and leaves several boxes empty, creating a visual experience reminiscent of filling in a Sudoku puzzle but in a modern, playful style. This interactive approach encourages viewer engagement and makes the design both intriguing and memorable.
4.0 SELECTED ARTWORK & EXPLANATION
Design Principle Observed:
- Contrast
- Emphasis
- Movement
- Repetition
- Word and Image
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