Importance of Layout in Design

Layout is interwoven with other fundamental principles of graphic design, such as color, contrast, repetition, texture, and typography. Layout design also encapsulates the principles of hierarchy, balance, alignment, proximity, and space. Let’s take a look at these elements in more detail so that we can better understand how each contributes to effective layout design.

Hierarchy:

In design, hierarchy refers to the order of importance of the elements in a layout. One way to create hierarchy is through size. In general, the largest element in a design is the most important, followed by the second largest, and so on. The reason larger elements are more important is that they’re the first to draw the eye.

Another way to create hierarchy in a design, without manipulating size, is through contrast. Elements with higher contrast stand out among lower contrast elements. A third way to create hierarchy is through the positioning of elements. An element that stands alone draws more attention than a group of elements, even if they’re all the same size and contrast level.

Balance:

Balance is intrinsically appealing to the human eye. Therefore, it makes sense to create balance in graphic design. A balanced layout incorporates either symmetry, asymmetry, or radial symmetry. Symmetrical and asymmetrical balance are the most common in design and the easiest to achieve. Radial symmetry can work well in print, but is harder to pull off on a website.

There are some exceptions to the rule of balance. An unbalanced design could effectively draw attention to a particular element that looks out of place. However, if not done well, an unbalanced design appears messy or confusing.

‍Alignment:

There are two types of alignment in design: Edge alignment and center alignment. Edge alignment is when elements are aligned to the top, bottom, left, or right edge of a layout. Left alignment is typically used for text because we read text from left to right (in English). Center alignment is effective for smaller text sections, such as a title or blurb, as well as images, icons, and other visuals. 

Effective alignment contributes to the legibility and flow of a layout. Using grids makes it easier to determine how to align elements in a layout.

‍Proximity:

Proximity refers to elements that are positioned together or otherwise connected visually. In design, proximity is important because it informs the viewer which elements are related to one another. Unrelated elements should be spaced apart in order to avoid causing confusion. 

Space:

Space is important in a layout because it helps separate and organize different elements. In a grid, space typically fills the gaps between columns, or gutters. But space can also draw attention to the elements that it surrounds. When creating a layout, it’s essential that different elements have enough breathing room in order to avoid overwhelming the viewer with too many competing elements.