While the elements of visual design that we’ve covered above describe the building blocks of a product’s aesthetics, principles of design tell us how to use those elements together for the best results. This drawing was created using plain black & white lines. For instance, if you take a look at the image below, you will probably see an input form, even though it’s just a combination of lines.

Using lines alone, it’s possible to create simple or complex objects. People tend to identify objects by their basic shapes. The role of a designer is to tie those elements of design together and build an optimal layout from the visual perspective. Fonts, lines, shapes, colors, textures, volume, and negative space are the basic tools that designers use.

Elements of visual designĪny page or screen in a digital product can be broken down into fundamental elements of visual appearance. But as soon this goal is achieved, they can also introduce elements delight into their app designs, such as animated effects of crisp illustrations that make the UI more attractive. To make it happen, visual designers prioritize content on a page through size, color, and the use of negative space. The first and foremost goal of product design is to make interfaces usable-the user’s eye should be drawn to the correct information and functionality. As a field, it has grown out of both user interface (UI) design and graphic design. Visual design is about implementing text, colors, and images in a way that enhances a design or interaction.

In this article, we will discuss what visual design is, how it is related to usability, and what visual design principles designers should follow to create better user experiences. Visual design plays a key role in creating products with excellent aesthetics. The aesthetic–usability effect proves that people tend to ignore some usability flaws in aesthetically-pleasing products. The way our products look affects how our users experience them. This applies to many things in our world, including digital experiences. People tend to judge a book by its cover.

Creative key visual design