Design & DTP · National 5
Design elements & principles
5 cards · 4 quiz · 0 exam
Graphic Communication · National 5 · mrkellydt.co.uk
What you're learning in this topic
Learning intention WALT
We are learning about design elements & principles, specifically to:
know
- the type of alignment between items
understand
- line, colour, alignment, contrast, dominance, depth and unity, referring to specific items
Success criteria WILF
- I can explain line, colour, alignment, contrast, dominance, depth and unity, referring to specific items
- I can name the type of alignment between items
Elements and principles
| Term | What it means in a layout |
|---|---|
| Line | Lines that separate, lead the eye, connect or underline items |
| Colour | Used for mood, contrast, harmony and to link items (see Colour) |
| Alignment | Items lined up with each other: left, right, centre, top, bottom or justified. Always name the type |
| Contrast | Differences that make items stand out: colour, size, shape, weight of font, light and dark |
| Dominance | The item that stands out most and is seen first (the focal point), usually the largest or brightest |
| Depth | Making items seem to sit in front of others: layering, overlap, drop shadow, gradients |
| Unity | Items look like they belong together: repeated colours, fonts and shapes, and grouping related items |
How to answer layout questions
- Be specific: name the actual items. "The red heading contrasts with the black background" scores; "contrast makes it stand out" doesn't.
- Two or more items for unity, contrast, alignment and depth: these principles are relationships between items.
- Name the alignment type: "the body text and heading are left aligned".
- Explain = cause + effect: "The title is the largest text (cause), so it dominates and is read first (effect)." Course reports say most candidates give only the effect.
- Don't repeat the same point for different parts of a question.
Design challenge: gig poster
The brief. A youth music venue in Glasgow needs an A3 poster for a Saturday gig.
- Sketch two thumbnails.
- Name the focal point and explain why it dominates.
- Describe two layout principles you used, naming the items.
What a good answer includes
- Thumbnails, annotated against the brief.
- A dominant item (the largest or brightest), explained as cause and effect.
- The alignment named by type, e.g. "the heading and body text are left aligned".
- Contrast and unity described using the actual items.
- The key information: what, where, when, price.
Key terms
| Dominance | The item that stands out most and is seen first. |
|---|---|
| Contrast | Differences in colour, size, shape or weight that make items stand out. |
| Unity | Items look like they belong together: repeated colour, font, shape. |
| Depth | Items appear to be in front of others: layering, overlap, drop shadow. |
| Alignment | Items lined up; always name the type: left, right, centre, top, bottom. |
Quick check
1. Which answer would score for alignment?
- The items are all aligned to look neat
- Alignment has been used to make it tidy
- Everything is balanced across the page
- The heading and body text are left aligned
Show answer
D: The heading and body text are left aligned. Name the type and the items.
2. The largest, brightest item that is seen first shows…
- Dominance
- Unity
- Line
- Alignment
Show answer
A: Dominance. Dominance.
3. Repeating the same font and colour across a layout creates…
- Contrast
- Unity
- Depth
- Dominance
Show answer
B: Unity. Unity.
4. A drop shadow behind an image mainly creates…
- Unity
- Line
- Depth
- Alignment
Show answer
C: Depth. It lifts the image off the page.
Printable worksheet
An I do, we do, you do worksheet for this topic, with a separate answer sheet.