Design Layout

 Graphic design layout refers to the way in which we arrange the elements on a page which makes up the content of a design. The aim of layout is both to convey the message correctly and to present information in a logical, coherent way making the important elements stand out.

A graphic design layout, should looks authoritative and packed with information, or clean and structured.

1. Graphic Layout Meaning

Layout basically means the arrangement of predetermined items such as image, text and style on a page. It establishes the overall appearance and relationships between the graphic elements to achieve a smooth flow of message and eye movement for maximum effectiveness or impact.

You just decide on placement, color, text, etc for items you already have.  Graphic layout plays a very important role in creating and achieving a successful design that easily attracts potential customers, is user-friendly, easy to understand has a universal appeal.

2. Graphic Design Layout Rules

A layout is the heart of any design.

The number one rule in layout is to balance all your elements, so that the message is not distorted.

You should always place your elements in the center of the page, keeping the margins on all edges. Rotational and reflection symmetry are further variations of the theme, and can add interest.

Next you should always remember the rule of third. Use guides to divide your work area into an equal three-by-three grid.

Place your key element where two of the axes meet to have a focal point. It’s then simple to develop the rest of the layout quite effortlessly.

Another important rule of layout is unity which states that by using unity you can create a cohesive layout. If your elements are of uniform sizes, aligned to grids, are of equal dimension a viewer will subconsciously create structure and order.

 

3. Graphic Design Layout Template

There are various design templates that you can use for creating a visually appealing layout. You can fully customize a page by just using HTML Code that does not use the theme. Liquid layout elements at will not show header, footer, or other carried over elements but can be great for creating unity.

4. Design Layout Inspiration

The most inspirational things are often right in front of us and they often inspire us to create a unique and impressive layout. 

It might be the opening titles in the recent movie that you saw, a typography on a book cover, the design of a square inch, the colors of your favorite music album, etc. Imagine you’re browsing through a bookstore, soaking up covers, getting awe-inspired by their colors, their typefaces, their layouts, little details. The variety is endless, and sometimes your eyes stick onto that master piece of art shining through the sheer mass. You just need to keep your eyes open and the best kind of design layout inspiration might indeed lie where you least expect it.

5. Graphic Design Layout Book

When it comes to seeking inspiration and getting into the depth of design layout, graphic designers are spoilt for choice. There is a wealth of books at our fingertips, all waiting to be explored and enjoyed, helping you improve and refine your design layout skill.

6. Print Layout Design Inspiration

In print design, layout is one of the most crucial aspects.  Whether it’s an artworks on your bookshelf, the Postage Stamps collection on Flickr, an influential mazagine, collage print design or whimsical pixel art, playful geometric designs and patterns, all of this is sure to squeeze your creative mind

7. Graphic Design Layout Techniques

There are various techniques to make your design layout appealing.

Focal Point and Accent is the most important among them because emphasis is achieved by position, rhythm, typeface weights and styles.

The secondary emphasis points are called accent and help in framing the layout correctly.

Another technique which can make your layout stand out is positive and negative shapes. In a successful positive/negative shape relationship negative shapes are interdependent, filling the whole space in the eyes of the viewer.

8. Graphic Design Layout Principles 

There are a few graphic design principles which you must follow. Alignment of elements in the layout is the basic principle which makes your layout stand out,

Further, you should use simple font face, images should be of high resolution and should be big enough to capture the viewers attention.

Proximity is another important principle which makes your layout a unity. Contrast is also important as it creates variety in the layout.

 A layout is the first attraction for your readers and viewers, so make it effective and appealing today.

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THE MEANING OF SHAPES IN DESIGN

Design is a visual language that sends messages to your target audience – no words necessary – and even the shapes you use contribute to that message.

Visual language was used for storytelling, guidance, and learning for early humans before spoken language evolved  and we continue to understand messages relayed through visual communication to this day.

Shape symbolism can help guide the choices you make when communicating with your audience.

THREE CATEGORIES OF SHAPE IN DESIGN

Shapes in design are categorized into three main types –

1.    geometric shapes,

2.    natural (or organic) shapes, and

3.    abstract shapes.

Geometric Shapes

Geometric shapes are any shapes that are based on mathematical principles, such as triangles, squares, circles, and polygons. Geometric shapes have clear, perfect edges that are usually made with tools. 

You usually don’t find a perfect circle or square in nature – that’s what marks the difference between natural and geometric designs.

So what do geometric shapes mean? The answer depends on the particular shape. Below, we’ll discuss some common geometric shape meanings behind the most popular shapes you might see in design!

TRIANGLES

To understand the triangle shape meaning. By the positioning of a triangle itself have a meaning.

Depending on how it is positioned, a triangle represents stability and instability, an inherent tension throughout the design. A triangle is stable when sitting on its base, and unstable when it is on its side or inverted. Rather than establishment and stability, triangles suggest growth, progress, and movement.

It suggests action, movement, and in some cases aggression.

Triangles in graphic design stimulate movement, progression and purpose. One of the most well-known examples? The “Play” button! It’s simply a triangle turned sideways, but it has a universal meaning – press to continue.

Squares and Rectangles

Squares symbolize order, trust, stability, and being grounded.

One of the most familiar geometric shapes in design, squares, and rectangles are used to organize and define a design. The square represents might come across as boring, but it also inherently establishes trust and security in the viewer.

CIRCLES AND OVALS

Circular shapes, oval shapes, and round shapes have meaning in graphic design.

While the triangle can be seen as masculine, circles are considered a more feminine shape. Their rounded curves are graceful, feminine, and warm.

They are often used in graphic design to represent familiar objects like wheels, fruit, the sun, eggs, and more!

ORGANIC SHAPES

Organic, or natural shapes in design, are associated with nature. Unlike geometric shapes, organic shapes look far less solid and precise without stiff corners or straight lines. In other words, they often look similar to things found in nature – like plants, animals, and rocks..

Organic shapes have meaning in design that may differ a little bit depending on the particular shape you’re using. 

For example, if you use a wave shape in your design, your viewer will probably associate it with freedom and flow. If you use a leaf or a flower shape, your design might evoke the feeling of nature and delicacy.

ABSTRACT SHAPES

 Abstract shapes – and even abstract art, are all about interpretation. It doesn’t actually matter if the abstract shape looks more organic or geometric – it’s more about the process and the context behind it. 

The Psychology of Shapes in Design

Designers use shapes to express different ideas, create the notion of movement, offer texture and depth to an image, suggest a mood or emotion, or emphasize an area of interest.

Most of the time, the designs will get paired with a color. The combination of shapes and colors are various and hold different meanings ,  moods purpose and the message we  want to convey..

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Principles for Creating a Visual Design

 

A successful visual design applies the following principles to elements, and  effectively brings them together in a way that makes sense.  When trying to figure out how to use the basic elements consider:

• Unity  ------------------Visual design must strike a balance between unity and variety to avoid a dull or overwhelming design.
• Gestalt, ...........................The design elements are arranged properly, the Gestalt of the overall design will be very clear.
• Space is........................ “defined when something is placed in it” The Elements of Graphic Design. Incorporating space into a design helps reduce noise, increase readability, and/or create illusion. White space is an important part of your layout strategy.
• Hierarchy ................shows the difference in significance between items.  Designers often create hierarchies through different font sizes, colors, and placement on the page. Usually, items at the top are perceived as most important.
• Balance........................ creates the perception that there is equal distribution.  This does not always imply that there is symmetry.  
  
  
  
• Contrast........................ focuses on making items stand out by emphasizing differences in size, color, direction, and other characteristics.
• Scale ....................identifies a range of sizes; it creates interest and depth by demonstrating how each item relates to each other based on size.
• Dominance focuses on having one element as the focal point and others being subordinate.  This is often done through scaling and contrasting based on size, color, position, shape, etc.
• Similarity ..............................refers to creating continuity throughout a design without direct duplication. 
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THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN-Visual Design Basics

Visual design focuses on the aesthetics of a site and its related materials by strategically implementing images, colors, fonts, and other elements.  A successful visual design does not take away from the content on the page or function.  Instead, it enhances it by engaging users and helping to build trust and interest in the brand.

Basic Elements of Visual Design

The basic elements that combine to create visual designs include the following:

The elements of art are  like "building blocks" for creating something​

Point:

A point is a single dot or mark that has position but is otherwise limited. It is a single entity in itself and alone it can act as a focal point or a stopping point in a composition. For example a target or dart board has a single point as its focus. Together a number of points can have a leading effect where the eye naturally attempts to "connect the dots" to create a line or form. This is known as the Gestalt grouping principle.

LINE

Line can be considered in two ways. The linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet. 

Lines connect two points and can be used to help define shapes, make divisions, and create textures.  All lines, if they’re straight, have a length, width, and direction.

A line is essentially a series of connected points. There are characterised by their length, direction and weight. Lines can be straight or wavy, long or short, heavy or soft, architectural or organic. As such they can be utilised in a variety of ways in a composition. They can be used to create perspective, outline a landscape, frame a composition etc. The directionality of a line will also have a big effect on your composition with oblique or slanted lines suggesting movement and dynamism while vertical or horizontal lines suggest structure, balance and conformity.

 

SHAPE 
A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape.

Shapes are self-contained areas.  To define the area, the graphic artist uses lines, differences in value, color, and/or texture.  Every object is composed of shapes.

Shapes are essentially closed lines. Shapes are two dimensional and forms are three dimensional. The basic two dimensional shapes are squares, rectangles and triangles with the related three dimensional forms being cubes, bricks (technical name is a rectangular prism) and pyramids. An infinite amount of other shapes exist of course, whether they are fluid organic shapes or rigid abstract shapes.

Form:

Forms

Forms are essentially three dimensional shapes. The basic two dimensional shapes are squares, rectangles and triangles with the related three dimensional forms being cubes, bricks (technical name is a rectangular prism) and pyramids. An infinite amount of other forms exist of course, 

Form applies to three-dimensional objects and describes their volume and mass.  Form may be created by combining two or more shapes and can be further enhanced by different tones, textures, and colors.

whether they are fluid organic forms or rigid abstract geometric forms.

Typography  refers to which fonts are chosen, their size, alignment, color, and spacing.

A typeface is a collection of letters. While each letter is unique, certain shapes are shared across letters. A typeface represents shared patterns across a collection of letters.

Typefaces that are selected for their style, legibility, and readability are most effective when following the fundamental principles of typographic design.

Weight

Weight refers to the relative thickness of a font’s stroke. A typeface can come in many weights; and four to six weights is a typical...

Weight refers to the relative thickness of a font’s stroke. A typeface can come in many weights; and four to six weights is a typical number available for a typeface.

DIRECTION 

All lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquility. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action

 

SIZE 
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.

 

TEXTURE 
Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual.

Texture refers to how a surface feels or is perceived to feel. By repeating an element, a texture will be created and a pattern formed. Depending on how a texture is applied, it may be used strategically to attract or deter attention.

Texture is the appearance of a surface material. The main differentiation between textures is that it is either rough or smooth. Textures suggest what a form/shape is made of and can be created using points, line, shapes or colour. Unlike the other elements, texture is both a visual and tactile element.

 

COLOUR palette 
Also called Hue.  Colour, also called hue, is how the eye perceives reflected light. There are many different theories about colour which are covered in more depth in the section on colour theory. What I will explain here are the three main components of a colour: hue, value and saturation

• Hue is where a colour is positioned on the colour wheel. Technically the hue is the colour which it a design element in itself.
• Value is the darkness or lightness of a colour and is a design element in itself.
• Saturation is the intensity of a colour.
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• Color palette choices and combinations are used to differentiate items, create depth, add emphasis, and/or help organize information.  Color theory examines how various choices psychologically impact users.

 

Value
Value is the lightness or darkness of a colour. Value is also called Tone

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