Foundations

Visual Design

What are Foundations?

Foundations in visual design refer to the fundamental principles and elements that serve as the building blocks of effective visual communication. These principles and elements help designers create visually appealing, balanced, and engaging designs.

The principles of visual design include:

  1. Balance: Achieving a sense of equilibrium in a design through the distribution of visual weight.
  2. Contrast: Using differences in colour, size, shape, or other visual elements to create interest and highlight important information.
  3. Emphasis: Focusing the viewer's attention on the most important elements in a design.
  4. Proportion: Creating a sense of harmony and balance through the use of appropriate sizes and shapes.
  5. Unity: Ensuring that all elements in a design work together to create a cohesive whole.

The elements of visual design include:

  1. Line: A continuous mark made on a surface that can convey different moods or emotions.
  2. Shape: A two-dimensional object that can be defined by edges, colours, and textures.
  3. Colour: A visual element that can convey different meanings, emotions, and moods.
  4. Texture: The surface quality of an object, which can be real or implied.
  5. Space: The area between and around objects in a design.

By understanding and applying these foundational principles and elements, visual designers can create effective designs that communicate their intended message and engage their target audience.