Is Your Design C.R.A.P?

Lets face it, after hours upon hours of working and staring at the same design, one can start to question the overall design. We have all been there before. Stared at the same design for so long we no longer know if its good or not. It’s like everything we know about design has left us and we stare at the screen dumbfounded.

It is times like these that a little personal assessment can help.

It is times like these a little C.R.A.P. can help.

C.R.A.P. is a simple acronym that can help you give your work a personal critique based on some of the fundamental principles of good design. The acronym stands for; Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity.

To make sure we are all on the same page of what these terms mean, lets briefly go over each of them.

Contrast
Definition: opposition or juxtaposition of different forms, lines, or colors in a work of art to intensify each element’s properties and produce a more dynamic expressiveness.

Basically, contrast should be used to help separate elements of a design. Having a good use of contrast can do a variety of things from helping lead a viewers eyes around the page, to making certian elements stand out more than others. When you “kinda sorta” create contrasts between elements it can be confusing for the viewer. This lack of contrasts leaves them wondering what they should look at next.

Repetition
Definition: the act of repeating; repeated action, performance, production, or presentation.

Use and repeat styles to help bond areas and content together. By repeating elements through out your design you, you help give it a more cohesive feel. Repeating styles for a certian aspect of your design through out your site can help make it easier for visitors to navigate your site or design.

For example, using the same style of buttons all over your site can help visitors easily spot a “buy now” or “sign up” button.

Alignment
Definition: an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line.

There are few things more sloppy in a design than poor alignment. Even chaotic and messy designs can follow some sort of alignment. Do yourself a favor and at least learn the basic of grid layout. You don’t always have to follow the strict grid rules, but it will help you keep things connected and aligned.

Proximity
Definition: nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation.

If objects or elements are related, they should be close to one another. By grouping like elements together, you can create a much more powerful meaning. On the flip side, elements that have nothing in common should be far enough away from one another to show this.

Photo by Klis