Principles of design

The principles of design govern the relationships of the elements used and organ
ize the composition as a whole. Successful design incorporates the use of the pr
inciples and elements to serve the designer's purpose and visual goals. There ar
e no rules for their use. The designer's purpose and intent drives the decisions
made to achieve harmony between the elements.
The principles of design consist of:
Unity
Unity refers to a sense that everything in a piece of work belongs there, and ma
kes a whole piece. It is achieved by the use of balance, repetition and/or desig
n harmony.
Harmony
Harmony is achieved through the sensitive balance of variety and unity. Color ha
rmony may be achieved using complementary or analogous colors. Harmony in design
is similarity of components or objects looking like these belong together. Harm
ony may be visually pleasing and harmony is when some of the objects like drapes
and couches share a common trait. A common trait between objects could be: colo
r(s), shape(s), texture, pattern(s), material, theme, style, size, or functional
ity.
Contrast
Contrast is the occurrence of differing elements, such as color, value, size, et
c. It creates interest and pulls the attention toward the focal point.
Repetition (rhythm, pattern)
The recurrence of elements within a piece: colors, lines, shapes, values, etc. A
ny element that occurs is generally echoed, often with some variation to maintai
n interest. Rhythm in interior design also may be used to reduce randomness.
Variety (alternation)
The use of dissimilar elements, which creates interest and uniqueness. Variety l
ike a painting or some reflective wood panels added on a plain wall may be used
to reduce monotony. Helps infuse color to a house decor to attempt to increase d
esign beauty.
Emphasis (dominance or focal point)
Emphasis refers to areas of interest that guides the eye into and out of the ima
ge through the use of sequence of various levels of focal points, primary focal
point, secondary, tertiary, etc. Emphasis hierarchy may give direction and organ
ization to a design, and avoid subconscious confusion to sometimes improve the d
esign's visual appeal and style. Emphasis hierarchy or focus is not giving each
object in a project equal dominance within a piece of work. Emphasis or dominanc
e of an object can be increased by making the object larger, more sophisticated,
more ornate, by placing it in the foreground, or standout visually more than ot
her objects in a project. The primary focus point or area receives the largest e
mphasis in a room.
Balance
Balance can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. Balance also refers to a sens
e that dominant focal points don't give a feeling of being pulled too much to an
y specific part of the artwork. Balance can be achieved by the location of objec
ts, volume or sizes of objects, and by color. It can also be achieved by balanci
ng lighter colors with darker colors, or bold colors with light neutral colors.
Proportion (scale)
Proportion involves the relationship of size between objects. Proportion is also
relative sizes of surface areas of different colors. Proportion also depends on
functionality of object. Art painting can be given the correct size in relation
to room to make it an effective decorating component or source of color.
Functionality
A design must have good functionality. Proper functionality is simply the best p
ossible design and best possible location of this design that the occupant(s) re
quires. Such designs are clean, nearly sterile, tidy, brightly lit, warm, visual
ly appealing, is relatively dry, has relatively clean and healthy breathing air,
 and exceeds high level health and safety standards. Great functionality and bes
t possible materials for the function usually also increases visual appeal.
Proximity
Proximity is the placing of similar objects closer together physically, and unli
ke objects further apart. This aids in creating unity. For example, different fu
rniture styles with different colors compressed in a small bedroom does not look
as nice as the same furniture placed further apart in a very large living room.

Decluttering, organization and harmonization of accessories

Neatness or tidyness, clean rooms, construction precision and organization in ar
chitecture and home appliances is important. When there is too much storage in r
ooms, work space must be made by decluttering, organizing and general cleaning.
Collected clutter may hide the initial showcase visual appeal of a room. Clutter
also makes a room more laborious to clean.
Lighting coloration
Light coloration is important to setting the mood in a photograph or work of vis
ual art. Using various types of lights can denote specific mood changes. For exa
mple, a red-light may be used to denote an alert of some sort in the form of a b
eacon. Differences in lighting can affect the mood as well. Halogen lamps and fl
uorescents can give a cooler feel to visual design works. These can be replicate
d through psychological studies.[citation needed] In digital mediums, lighting c
an be applied through a variety of filters. For example, filtering out noise and
changing hues in a subtle manner can give a simple but tolerable logo feel to a
red-alert beacon.
Design methods
Despite the design rules and guidelines, the designer still has to make an attra
ctive design, and perhaps using some of these methods. Design by experimentation
: experimenting with different shapes, materials, sizes of shapes to optimize fu
nctionality and aesthetics of design. Design by modification: modifying an exist
ing design to improve the aesthetics and functionality of a design. Design by ch
ance: for example scribbling some lines and curves randomly with a pencil on a p
iece of paper then choose a shape outline seen in it that may be used as a wood
table top. Design by sketching: sketches and drawings can be easily modified. De
sign using a mood board: photographs of lamps and couches, paint swatches, wood
samples, textile samples, and room sketches can be placed on the mood board to h
elp visualize a room design. Design in the mind: visualize pleasing designs of r
ooms and houses in the mind. Design with "direct" method: direct is abbreviation
for describe, investigate, record, evaluate, construct, and try. This involves
describing design requirements, investigating design requirements and feasibilit
y, recording design progress and plans, evaluating the design to see if design r
equirements were met, constructing the design, and then trying or testing the ho
me design and problem solving. Making a new great design is not automatic, it is
created and then it might become a trend or fad for a few years. This is the dr
eam of a designer/engineer: to create a fad and get paid for it. Trade secrets:
to design and engineer well like no one else can; trying to make a top of the li
ne in class product. Contemporary home updates and upgrades, and contemporary ho
me lifestyle development may be the best; if not so there would be no point in d
esigning. You can help in home maintenance, updates and upgrades. What is home u
pdating? Is usually using not so much past designs, add a new design like sconce
s, tidying (making it look like new), perhaps add more decor. What is upgrading
or home improvement? Upgrading includes replacing past materials with better qua
lity and more expensive finishing materials like granite countertops and real wo
od, getting better quality components like real wood furniture and embroided thi
ck drapes, replacing phoney gold in chandelier with real gold plating.
[edit] See also