Sometimes people get so hung up on just the aesthetics when designing, which is really only a part of the process therefore neglecting other very crucial components that makes a design easy on it's users. Design is not merely a paint by numbers where you splatter a couple of colors to fill up a blank canvas, it is about problem solving and is primarily user focused.

Design by definition is a discipline of study and practice focused on the interaction between a person - a "User"- and the man-made environment, taking into account aesthetic, functional, contextual, cultural and societal considerations. A good design serves as a solution to users problems with the intent to make lives better and easier.

An important factor to note in design is the purpose your work serves and also proper communication of the brand message to the users. Just like every other field, design also has rules that guides it's proper usage and application. Surprised? Yeah.

In this article, we'll examine some design rules you must ensure to follow to help guide anyone (beginners and veterans alike) who are looking to work on any design project. As a beginner however, you might not realize the importance of these rules, but as you begin to work on more design projects you'll begin to appreciate the need to adhere rules strictly in your designs for easier user experience. Let's take a look at the different design rules you must follow as a beginner in this field.

Basic Rules in Design

Hierarchy

Hierarchy is a very important rule in design. It refers to how contents are arranged in a design. The main theme of the message you intend to pass across through your design should come first and other less important ones can subsequently follow after so it doesn't get lost in the jumble and can be easily recognized by the user.

Contrast

This is an integral aspect of design. It refers to how different elements are in a design. The differences in the elements are important because they make various elements stand out or as contemporary urban youth would say "make it pop" or "give it some zing".

Balance

In design usually, there are a lot of elements that make it up. You don't want a situation where some elements are heavy or too eye-catching while some others are way too light and mellow on the eye. A balance of sorts should be applied when designing.

White Space

Many beginners in the design spacemake the error of filling up their projects with all colors and patterns thinking that alone would help in the aesthetics and so your work comes off a little "choked up" or "too much". A white space is important as it creates sort of a "negative space" and it creates an effect that makes your work easily discernable.

Proportion

This is another important rule in design. It's simply the size of the elements in a design in relation to one another.

Repetition

In design, just like in every other field that requires human interaction, you need to be a master psychologist. How often do you, perhaps in a classroom or maybe your parentskeep repeating certain words to you over and over again, those words stuck with you right? It's no different in designing as well. Repetition can be done in a number of ways; repetition of the same colors, shapes or other elements of a design. It is a great way to reinforce an idea.

Pattern

Patterns are important elements to incorporate in your designs. it refers to how your designs appear or certain set standards on how elements are designed.

Unity

This is one rule that must not be overlooked when designing. Have you ever seen a design where everything is out of place and nothing seems to work together? Yeah. Unity refers to how well elements in a design work together. Designs that follow this rule appears organized and cohesive and that is only when concepts can be communicated clearly.

Conclusion*

It is good to have creative freedom as a beginner when designing but it can be better harnessed when following these rules that can guide you properly in your designs. It is important to understand how these rules actually impact the final product of your work. I know it might seem like some designers are just "winging it" but even many of those apply these rules however at an instinctive level so it's not a trial and error kind of thing.