Design for Everyone: Lesson 4 - Contrast

Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of "Design for Everyone"! We've already covered three fascinating design principles that help us create more conscious and visually effective materials: Proximity, Alignment, and Repetition. Today, it's time for the last, but equally important, foundation discussed by Robin Williams in her inspiring book "The Non-Designer's Design Book" – Contrast.

Contrast: How to catch the eye and add meaning to your design

Have you ever browsed a website or a poster and immediately knew what to focus on? That's often thanks to contrast. In its simplest form, contrast involves making elements on a page visually different from each other. By doing this, we can draw the eye to the most important information, create a visual hierarchy, and make our design more interesting. For contrast to work effectively, it needs to be clear. Therefore, juxtapose distinctly different elements, for example, a bold and large heading with a lighter and thinner paragraph.

Think about night and day, black and white. These are extreme contrasts that are easily noticeable and expressive. In design, we operate similarly, although often in a more subtle way. Contrast allows us to distinguish headings from the main text, highlight important buttons on a website, or add depth and dynamism to our projects.

Where can we see contrast in action?

Contrast is ubiquitous in good design. For an element we want to stand out to work well, it must contrast with the rest of the elements. Here are a few examples:

Text: Using a large and bold font for the heading in contrast to a smaller and thinner font for the main text.
Color: Combining vibrant and muted colors. Using bright colors to highlight important elements, such as a "Buy Now" button against a neutral background.
Shape: The appearance of a sharp-angled element in a delicate and rounded design. Using an unusual shape to make a particular element stand out.
Size: A large image in contrast to small icons. A long block of text next to a short, impactful slogan.
Space: Densely packed elements next to areas with a lot of white space.
Graphic Style: Combining realistic photos with minimalist illustrations.

Inspired by the article?

Have thoughts, questions, or want to know how I can help?

Write to me - I'd love to chat!

Write to me

Why is contrast so important?

Contrast plays a crucial role in effective design because our eyes like it, and thanks to it:

It attracts attention: Elements with strong contrast immediately catch the eye.
It establishes hierarchy: Through contrast, we can visually indicate what is most important and what is less so.
It improves readability: Contrast between text and background is essential for comfortable reading.
It adds visual interest: Contrast makes a design more dynamic and engaging.
It creates focus: We can use contrast to direct the viewer's attention to a specific element, such as a call to action.

Beware of a lack of contrast (and too much contrast!)

Just like with other design principles, contrast should also be handled skillfully. On the one hand, too little contrast can result in elements blending together, and the text becoming difficult to read, which will negatively affect the perception of the design. On the other hand, an excess of chaotic contrast can overwhelm the viewer and make the design look unprofessional. However, remember that consciously introduced contrast, aimed at highlighting a specific element, should be clear and decisive – so that its effect is visible at first glance.

How to create effective contrast?

Here are a few ways to use contrast in your projects:

Color Contrast: Utilize color palettes that offer clear differences between hues. You can use the color wheel to find complementary or contrasting colors.
Size Contrast: Don't be afraid to use large and small elements next to each other to create visual tension and hierarchy.
Typographic Contrast: Combine different fonts (e.g., serif with sans-serif), different sizes, and font weights to highlight headings and other important information. However, remember to exercise moderation and not use too many different fonts. I try to use a maximum of three (heading, paragraph, highlights).
Space Contrast: Use white space around elements to showcase them and separate them from others. This is where the principle of proximity comes in handy.
Shape Contrast: Juxtapose simple and complex shapes, sharp and rounded edges.

In Conclusion

Contrast is a powerful tool that allows you to bring your projects to life, give them structure, and attract the attention of your audience. Remember to consciously use the differences between elements to build hierarchy, improve readability, and create visually interesting compositions. With contrast, your designs will stop being bland and will truly speak to your audience, and you will consciously guide your viewer's eye.

This is the last of the four fundamental design principles discussed by Robin Williams. I hope this journey through Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, and Contrast has opened your eyes to the world of design and inspired you to create even better visual communications. As you have probably noticed, all these principles intertwine, and the power lies in using their synergy to create unforgettable designs. Remember, design is for everyone!

See you in the next posts on the "Design for Everyone" blog, where we will explore other aspects of creative design!

See you soon!

Your coffee = my inspiration

Every coffee is an energy boost and motivation for me to continue working.

Thanks to your support, I can spend more time creating valuable content for you!

Fuel creativity!

Terms and Conditions

Follow me and stay up-to-date with creative ideas!