Blog Assignment 1

Q. Using the Internet, search for graphic design examples displaying good and bad application of the basic principles of design or theories of design.

Post at least two examples to your blog and write one to two paragraphs on the basic design principles used, and note whether they were good or bad examples.

A.

Good Example

This example shows the good use of a graphic design theory, similarity, and a graphic design principle, dominance.

According to the theory of similarity, our brain tends to tie together elements that are in similar size, shape, and color. The principle of dominance states that the element that is given more visual weight has more emphasis.

In this example, both the background and the woman in the foreground are comprised of warm, brown hues. Therefore, the brain sees these as a whole. However, the jewelry is comprised of a cold, metallic color. Therefore, the jewelry this ad is for has the most visual weight and has the most emphasis. Also, the brand name is white, which pops up on the background. As a result, this ad successfully applies graphic design theory and principles, and gives emphasis on what it is advertising.

Bad Example

This example shows the bad use of a graphic design theory, similarity and a graphic design principle, namely, dominance.

In this example, both the background and the woman in the foreground are comprised of kind of brown colors. However, the clothing that the woman wears is in white; the perfume and the brand name also are. Also, since the white clothing takes more space in this ad than the perfume which this ad is for, the clothing has more visual weight. Therefore, this ad fails to tie together the background and the image of the woman, including her clothing, and makes it looks like this ad is for the woman’s clothing instead of the perfume. Because of the failure to accurately use the theory of similarity and principle of dominance, this ad fails to advertise its product.