Design History
This style is defined by its use of strict grid systems, minimalism, and sans serif typefaces.
Swiss
This principle helps create visual interest by using noticeable differences between elements.
Contrast
This term refers to the little feet that appear on some letterforms.
Serif
This is the area around the edges of your page, marking where it is safe to put content.
Margins
This font was used as a wildly inappropriate choice for Kurt Cobain's memorial plaque.
Comic Sans
This German school emphasized simplicity, function, and the unity of art and industry.
Bauhaus
This design principle takes related elements and creates connections by placing them close to each other.
Proximity
This is the term for the invisible line that letters sit on.
Baseline
This invisible structure helps organize content and maintain alignment across a page.
Grid
These types of letters wobble when they are stacked vertically, because they have ascenders, descenders, and varied widths.
Lowercase
Artists like Alphonse Mucha and the Glasgow Four worked in this ornate style, known for the use of flowing, sinuous lines and floral motifs.
Art Nouveau
This design principle is often described as "nothing should look like it was placed randomly."
Alignment
This term refers to the space between a group of letters, making them appear tight or loose.
Tracking
This is the area outside of your pages trim edge, allowing for graphic elements to flow off the edges.
Bleed
This single word falls at the end of a paragraph and disrupts the flow of reading and spoils the even shape of the text.
Widow
William Morris was associated with this movement, which focused on handcraftsmanship and sought to improve the standards of decorative design.
Arts & Crafts Movement
This principle helps build trust and recognition in branding, but it can also help keep a design consistent.
Repetition
This term refers to the space between individual letter pairs.
Kerning
This type of grid uses a system of rows and columns in a specified size.
Modular
To avoid stretching or squishing graphic elements, hold down this key on the keyboard to scale things proportionally.
Shift
This designer created film posters and title sequences for movies like The Man With the Golden Arm and Vertigo.
Saul Bass
All of the design principles are used to do this effectively.
Communicate
This term is used to refer to the part of the letterform that extends above the x-height.
Ascender
This term refers to an area on the page where there is nothing and its purpose is to let the eye rest before moving on to the next piece of information.
Finish this phrase: When everything stands out....
Nothing stands out!