Basic Design PrinciplesGaining Attention and Delivering a

Messageby Mr. Tim Hixson

Computer Applications

What a mess!

Four Elements of Good DesignGood color contrast to allow the

message to be seenReadable fonts to communicate

the message clearlyUse Pictures to enhance the

messageArranging contents to draw more

attention to the message

Color ContrastContrast is the effect of having

colors that are different enough to stand out against each other.

In the example, the black text on the dark blue background is harder to read

Color Contrast

Good contrast

Bad contrast

Can this?readyou

canYou this!read

Better Use of Contrast

Font SelectionConsider the appropriate size

fontUse Sans-Serif fonts for better

readability

Limit yourself to two different fonts to avoid distractions and clutter (maybe three on a larger work)

Hello serifs

Hellosans-

serif

Better Use of Fonts

Use of PicturesUse pictures that directly relate

to the messageAvoid using too many picturesUse pictures that have a similar

style and coloring

Better Use of Pictures

Content Placement

12

3

4 7

5

68

9

Look at the box. When I show the numbers, which one do you notice first?

This is commonly called the

Rule of Thirds.

Better Use of the Rule of Thirds

Good Example – Poster

Melissa Logies – Class of 2010

Good Example – Poster

Caleb Venman – Class of 2010

Good Example – Scrap Book

Cheryl Ginsburg – Class of 2009

Good Examples – Business Cards

Amy Hart – Class of 2010 Becky Yager – Class of 2009

John Wiser – Class of 2009 Chris Stathopoulos– Class of 2010

Basic Design PrinciplesGaining Attention and Delivering a

Messageby Mr. Tim Hixson

Computer Applications