What are the 12 rules of graphic design that keep in Mind ?

The principles of design are the indispensable rules that make the design work. They seem basic at first, but over time, one will realize that understanding their individual functions will result in designs that serve their purpose, which is to be appreciated aesthetically and communicate to its viewers.

• Balance- Balance refers to how you distribute the visual weight of the page. Each individual element holds a different visual weight; for example, a large, bold, textured headline holds more visual weight than small text written in a light, thin font. Equally, a bright, colourful shape will appear heavier (i.e. more eye-catching) than a simple line. Balance is an important graphic design principle because it influences the viewer’s perception of the overall design, drawing their eye towards heavier elements.
• Alignment- Alignment considers how each individual element is positioned in relation to the other elements on the page. The most familiar example is text alignment. Think about how, when typing in a Google Doc or writing a birthday card, you align the text in a certain way; either left, centre, or right. 
• Contrast- Contrast helps to distinguish between different design elements. This ensures that certain elements stand out, directing the viewer’s attention and guiding their perception of the page. Contrast is also critical for accessibility, ensuring that text is clearly legible and that the viewer can easily make out individual elements.
• Colour- Colour is extremely powerful in graphic design. It’s used to achieve balance, harmony, and contrast—all of which are essential for creating beautiful, effective designs. Colour also determines the overall mood of the design, evoking certain feelings, emotions, or associations in the viewer. As such, it plays an important role in conveying the desired message and reinforcing the brand identity (that is, the visual elements of a brand such as colour, type, and logo, that capture the brand values and make the brand easily recognisable).
• Hierarchy- Hierarchy tells the viewer which elements on the page are most important. If you’re designing the artwork for a book cover, for example, you’d want to give the book title particular prominence in the visual hierarchy. Graphic designers create hierarchy through size and scale; elements that appear larger will be perceived as more important. They also use contrast and colour to ensure that important elements and information stand out.
• Movement- This fundamental graphic design principle considers how the viewer’s eye moves across your designs. As you read this blog post, your eyes are probably moving from left to right horizontally across the page, then down to the next line, and so on. When you come across a poster, you might scan it from top to bottom.
• Proportion- The proportion principle is all about the size of different elements in relation to each other. Keeping all the different elements in proportion can help to create a sense of harmony in your designs, while displaying elements in different sizes can help to establish a visual hierarchy. Designers can also break the rules of proportion to evoke humour or create a sense of playfulness. For example, an illustration of a dog that appears much larger in relation to a drawing of a person will create the sense that the dog is giant, or that the person is tiny.
• Proximity- According to the proximity principle, elements that are positioned close to each other appear as though they belong to the same group. Likewise, elements that are further apart appear unrelated. Proximity makes it easier for the viewer to understand the information presented on the page. For example, when reading a restaurant menu, you can easily see that the ingredients listed under each meal belong to that particular meal because they’re positioned close together.
• Repetition- Repetition refers to the repeated use of the same design elements, either within a single design or across different designs and projects for the same brand. You can use repetition to create texture and patterns—for example, repeated use of a single circle would create a dotted pattern. Repetition also contributes to consistency, unity, and brand recognition. 
• Rhythm- Rhythm builds on the repetition principle. By repeating certain elements throughout your design, you can create a sense of rhythm or flow with the space you leave between each repeated element (i.e. the intervals at which the elements are repeated).
• White space- White space (or negative space) refers to the space you leave blank within your designs; the space between and around your individual elements. Note that white space doesn’t necessarily have to be white—a plain coloured background also serves as negative space.
• Unity- Unity refers to the overall harmony of your designs. Unity is achieved through a combination of several graphic design principles: from the right amount of white space to repetition, balance, alignment, and proximity. Apply all of those principles correctly and you’ll naturally achieve a sense of cohesion.