This document discusses basic principles of design including similarity, proximity, alignment, focal point, balance through symmetry and radial techniques, illusion of size, and emphasis through contrast, placement, and isolation. Similarity is achieved through repetition of shapes and colors. Proximity places objects in close distance to create unity. Alignment specifically positions objects at equal distances to look unified. Focal points draw the eye through techniques like blurring backgrounds or using distinctive colors. Balance can be created through symmetrical or radial positioning of elements. Placement, contrasting colors or shapes, and isolating objects from their surroundings can emphasize certain elements.

1. Basic
Principles
of Design

2. Similarity: Repetition
This image is an example repetition as it displays the
recurrence of shapes and colours. The repetition of the
the architectural arches unifies them and gives the
photo an overall clean look.

3. Similarity: Proximity
Proximity is displayed by placing each circle within close and equal distance within one
another. In doing this, it creates unity amongst the circles. In the above, the left has one
group of proximity, while in the right, there are three groups of proximity due the the
defined space shown between each.

4. Alignment
Alignment is the specified placing of objects in relative distance from one another. In the first
image, the specific placing of the items creates an overall unified look. In the second image, the
scattered squares are placed within equal distance from one another, again creating a unified
look.

5. Focal Point
Focal point is a technique that is meant to instantly draw the viewer’s eyes to a specific aspect
of the photo. In the first photo, the focal point of the droplet is emphasized by blurring out the
background. In the second photo, the focal point is created through the use of colour by placing
a single red apple amongst an abundance of green apples.

6. Balance: Symmetry
Symmetry is achieved in this photo as when splitting the photo in half along its axis of
symmetry, both left and right halves are mirror images of each other. This technique of
balance creates an aesthetic look.

7. Balance: Radial
Radial symmetry is displayed in this photo as the pattern of the glass radiates from
the central point of the photo, again creating an aesthetically pleasing look.

8. Illusion of Size
The placement of the baseball close to the lense in comparison to the placement of the baseball
players in the far distance creates the illusion that the baseball is much larger than it actually
is. This technique can be used for the purpose of putting greater emphasis on smaller objects.

9. Emphasis: Contrast
This photo uses contrast to put emphasis on the starfish. One component of contrast is
the circular shape of the rocks in contrast to the star shape of the starfish. Additionally,
the dark blue colour of the rocks in contrast to the light blue colour of the starfish also
creates greater emphasis on the starfish.

10. Emphasis: Placement
Emphasis on the chair is present due to it being the only chair within the photo, it being
placed in the middle of a beach, it being in a setting that it normally wouldn’t be in, and it
being separated from the rest of the objects in the photo.

11. Emphasis: Isolation
Emphasis is put on the tree as it is the only one in the field. Greater emphasis is put
on the tree also due to how plain the sky and field is.