Understanding Design Principles

• Ololade Adesuyi

Understanding Design Principles

Designing for success and understanding the principles of effective design

• Ololade Adesuyi

Index

Overview

Design Principles

Goals

Practical tips

Types of Design Principles

Effective design

Resources

• Ololade Adesuyi

Goals

01.

Know the key principles of effective design

02.

Understand how design can impact the success of a product or service.

03.

See some examples of effective designs in action

04.

Learn practical tips & techniques for designing with impact

05.

Start applying these principles in your designs.

• Ololade Adesuyi

Design is crucial in building successful products and services.

To be an effective designer, you need to have a deep understanding of the principles that underlie good design. In this session, we will explore the key design principles that you need to know to create effective designs that resonate with your audience and drive success.

Q & A

• Ololade Adesuyi

Design Principles

They are a set of fundamental concepts, guidelines, and best practices that guide the design process and help designers create functional, and aesthetically pleasing products. These principles cover a broad range of design considerations, including visual design, user experience, accessibility, and functionality. They help designers make informed decisions about how to arrange design elements, use colors and typography, and create visual hierarchy.

• Ololade Adesuyi

Design Principles

By applying these principles, designers can create designs that are visually appealing, easy to navigate, and communicate the intended message effectively. For example, proper use of contrast can make important elements stand out, drawing the user's attention to them. This can be particularly important in web design, where a call-to-action button or important information can easily get lost in a sea of content. Similarly, applying the principle of hierarchy can help designers organize design elements in a way that guides the user's eye towards the most important content or actions.

• Ololade Adesuyi

Overall, applying design principles can lead to better user experiences and ultimately contribute to the success of a design.

• Ololade Adesuyi

Design Principles

Some common design principles include

Balance

Contrast

Hierarchy

Consistency

Simplicity

Proximity

Functionality

Key Design Principles / 01

BALANCE

01.

In design, balance refers to achieving a visual equilibrium by distributing design elements evenly throughout a layout in a way that feels harmonious and stable. Design should be balanced in terms of color, contrast, and layout. This creates a sense of harmony and cohesion that makes the design more pleasing to the eye.

example

Key Design Principles / 02

CONTRAST

02.

Contrast is all about making certain design elements stand out by using contrasting colors, fonts, or sizes. For example, if you have a dark background, you might use a light-colored font to create contrast and make the text easier to read. Contrast is an effective tool for creating visual interest and drawing attention to important elements of a design.

example

Key Design Principles / 03

HIERARCHY

03.

Hierarchy is all about organizing design elements in order of importance, from most to least. This might mean making the most important information larger, bolder, or a different color, so that it catches the viewer's eye first. Hierarchy is an important design principle because it helps guide the viewer's eye through the design and makes it easier for them to understand what's important.

example

Key Design Principles / 04

PROXIMITY

04.

Proximity is about grouping related design elements together while keeping dissimilar elements separate. This helps to create a sense of organization and hierarchy in a design. By placing related elements close together, you make it easier for the viewer to understand how the different elements relate to one another.

example

Key Design Principles / 05

CONSISTENCY

05.

Consistency is important in design because it creates a recognizable identity for your product. This means using the same fonts, colors, and design elements throughout your website, app, or other design projects, so that everything feels like it's part of the same brand. Consistency helps to build trust with your audience and creates a sense of familiarity that makes your product more memorable.

example

Key Design Principles / 06

SIMPLICITY

06.

Simplicity is all about keeping things clean and uncluttered. In design, this means minimizing the number of elements on the page and making sure that everything serves a clear purpose. By simplifying the design, you create a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for your audience.

example

Key Design Principles / 07

FUNCTIONALITY

07.

Functionality is all about making sure that the design elements you use are practical and easy to use for your intended audience. This means designing with your audience in mind and making sure that your design choices enhance usability and user experience.

example

• Ololade Adesuyi

By following these principles, designers can create designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and effective in achieving their intended purpose.

• Ololade Adesuyi

Examples of effective design in action

Nike: Nike's "swoosh" logo is another great example of effective design. The logo is simple and memorable, with a bold and dynamic look that conveys the brand's message of athleticism and movement. Airbnb: Airbnb's website design is clean and intuitive, with a focus on high-quality images and easy-to-use search and booking functions. The design is based on the principles of functionality and simplicity, making it easy for users to find and book accommodations. Google: Google's search engine design is minimal and uncluttered, with a focus on the search bar and search results. The design is based on the principle of functionality, with the goal of making it easy for users to find what they're looking for quickly and efficiently.

"These principles can be applied to any design discipline, including graphic design, product design, web design, and user experience (UX) design"

Apple's iPhone: Apple's iPhone is a great example of effective design in action. It is sleek, simple, and easy to use. The design of the iPhone is based on the principle of simplicity, with a minimalist approach to the layout and functionality. Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola has a timeless and recognizable design, with the classic red and white color scheme and iconic curved font. The design is consistent across all of their branding and marketing materials, reinforcing their brand identity.

• Ololade Adesuyi

Practical tips & techniques for designing with impact

• Know your audience: Understand who you are designing for and tailor your design to their needs, preferences, and behavior.
• Keep it simple: Strive for simplicity in your design by eliminating unnecessary elements and minimizing clutter.
• Use color effectively: Use color to create visual interest and establish a mood, but also be mindful of color psychology and the emotions and meanings associated with different colors.
• Pay attention to typography: Use typography to create hierarchy, establish a visual identity, and improve readability.
• Create visual hierarchy: Use design elements such as size, color, contrast, and placement to organize and prioritize information.

• Ololade Adesuyi

Practical tips & techniques for designing with impact

• Use white space: White space, or negative space, is the area around design elements and can be used to create balance, emphasize important elements, and improve readability.
• Be consistent: Maintain consistency in design across all aspects of a product to create a cohesive and recognizable identity.
• Incorporate user feedback: Listen to feedback from users and incorporate it into your design to improve usability and user experience.
• Test and iterate: Test your design with users and use the feedback to iterate and improve your design.

• Ololade Adesuyi

Resources

Links of interest

• The Elements of Typographic Style Applied to the Web

by Richard Rutter

• Universal Principles of Design

by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler

A list apart

• Don't Make Me Think

Canva design school

by Steve Krug

Design better by Invision

• Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction

Smashing magazine

by Jennifer Preece, Yvonne Rogers, and Helen Sharp

• Ololade Adesuyi

01.

For joining in today,

Thank you!

Reflect on what you have learned in this session.

Remember to practice these design principles in your work and keep honing your skills. You can also connect with me on social media