Design Glossary

Arranging elements so their edges or centers line up, promoting order and unity.

The visual distribution of elements in a layout; can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

The collection of visual and verbal elements (logo, color palette, voice) that convey a brand’s essence.

The arrangement or placement of visual elements in a design or layout.

The degree of difference in color, tone, or shape between elements, improving readability and hierarchy.

Presenting data in charts, graphs, or infographics to make information clear and actionable.

Psychological theories describing how humans organize visual information into groups or wholes (e.g., similarity, proximity).

The craft of visual communication through typography, imagery, color, and layout.

A collage of visuals (images, colors, fonts) that establish the style and emotional tone for a project.

The empty space around or between elements, improving clarity and focus.

Grouping related items and separating unrelated ones to improve scannability and hierarchy.

Pixel-based images (e.g., JPEG, PNG) which can lose quality when scaled up.

Reusing the same or similar design elements (colors, shapes) to create unity and consistency.

Dots or pixels per inch, indicating the clarity and detail of an image or display.

Graphics defined by mathematical paths (e.g., SVG, AI) which can scale indefinitely without quality loss.

Organizing elements so users naturally notice or read them in order of importance (e.g., larger headers, bolded text).