Visual Perception

Principles of visual perception

Good design begins with a clear understanding of the basics. The principles of design are guidelines for putting together elements in a way to create effective communication. It’s quite rare to see only one principle being used at a time, however, you do not necessarily need to use all principles on one project – even the use of one helps in creating good design.

Hierarchy

Unity_and_Variety

Use the principles of design to shape your work

Addition, Subtraction & Transition

Products usually are constructed by simple geometric form or forms. There are structural or manufacturing process constraints involved. Also addition and subtraction are often used to structure a form in order to create an interface or visual focal point.

If there’re more than one geometric forms, transition between forms and surface would be considered. The dominant part of elements is the one that stands out and carries more visual weight. Sub-dominant or subordinate elements carry little visual weight and usually carries some feature or functions.

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Unity & Diversity

Unity can give a sense of entirety or wholeness to a product family or equally break it up and create a sense of variety or disharmony.Using similar elements or material to apply unity to your work is a strong way to bring a brand concept to life

Gestalt & Emphasis

In the simplest terms, gestalt theory is based on the idea that the human brain will attempt to simplify and organize complex images or designs that consist of many elements, by subconsciously arranging the parts into an organized system that creates a whole, rather than just a series of disparate elements. Our brains are built to see structure and patterns in order for us to better understand the environment that we’re living in.

Adding emphasis creates a focal point, which grabs an audience’s attention. Emphasis can be created by size, weight, position, color, shape, and style. Emphasis might seem similar to contrast, but it’s not quite the same. Contrast deals with the difference between two objects, and emphasis deals with the impact of an object.

Stable & Light-footed

Larger footing brings more stability. Intentionally creating a small footing or reducing the coverage of the base will bring up the center of gravity, visually, which will bring a sense of grace or elegant to an object that has big volume or mass. (think of high-heels)

less supporting area

divide the mass

reduce the supporting area

divide the mass & reduce the supporting area

adjust the center of gravity

reduce the supporting area

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divide the mass & less supporting area

increase the support area

divide the mass

adjust the center of gravity

reduce the supporting area

Scale & Proportion

Proportion is the visual size and weight of elements in a composition and how they relate to each other. The book’Geometry of Design’ a mathematical explanation of how art works presented in a manner we can all understand.

Symmetry & Balance

Elements can have different visual weights dependent on their size, shape or color. Please keep in mind that it isn’t necessary for a design to be symmetrical in order to be considered balanced, an asymmetrical design can also be balanced too. Asymmetrical balance is where the weight of design language is not equally distributed (but is still visually balanced). Asymmetrical designs are bolder and can bring real visual interest.

symmetry & imbalance

symmetry

Repetition & Rhythm

Repetition strengthens a design by repeating elements throughout the entire piece. It is a conscious effort to unify all parts of a design. This can be a particular format, a color, a shape, a bold font, even a texture – by repeating the element throughout the design you are creating consistency and rhythm.

rhythm-05

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Visual Analogy and Cognition

Well-designed image reveals the mind’s intuitive leaps to connect known with unknown experience. Using analogy helps users to better understand abstract concepts and to fully exploit their capacity to retrieve previously acquired knowledge

inspired by nature

furniture

Philippe Starck-cheese grater

humble service

evasolo

culture

CMF & Design

CMF, which stands for Color, Material & Finish. Usually CMF designers work alongside industrial designers and product design engineers to make sure that the chromatic and tactile identities of the product are consistent. On smaller teams, a lone industrial designer might take on this role. Different materials have their own charecteristic traits hence the design language could be different.

polycarbonate casing

Sand-blasted aluminum alloy

Dual layer moulded silicon rubbe