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ROBIN WILLIAMS in her Peachpit Press publication DESIGN FOR THE NON-DESIGNER gives us these four tips about graphic design.

FOUR GRAPHIC DESIGN PRINCIPALS:

1. CONTRAST

Contrast is the most important visual attraction on a page. Avoid elements that are similar. Typefaces, colors, sizes, shapes, line thicknesses should all be very different. Be bold! Don't be a wimp!

2. REPETITION

Repetition means use it more than just once! Repeat the same color in design shapes, borders and typefaces for example. This helps develop organization and creates unity.

3. ALIGNMENT

Nothing should be placed on the page randomly. Each element should have a visual connection with other elements on the page. The use of Centered, Left justification and right justification of type for example.

4. PROXIMITY

When items are close to each other they become one visual unit. White or empty space is O.K., as long as there isn't a lot of it inbetween your related design elements. Proximity helps organize information and reduces clutter.

Ms Williams suggests that if you fail to use these four graphic design principles that your work will most likely look like the word the first letter of each principle spells out.

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