What visual design principle is created through the arrangements of objects in two dimensional space to look like they appear in real life?

The graphic part of graphic design is made up of visual elements, the building blocks of design. Through the harness of artistic expression, we choose these visual elements and arrange them on a surface in a layout to convey an idea.

The basic visual elements that combine to create graphic design include the following: line, colour, shape, texture, space, form, and typography.

Whatever work you produce be it for a magazine, a poster, a website or advertisement, these visual elements will play a part in your design.

Space

Space creates the visual essence and dynamic of a composition. In design, there are two types of space: positive space and negative space. Positive space can be perceived as two dimensional or three dimensional.

Positive space refers to the shapes of objects. It usually refers to anything that is considered the main focus of the page.

Negative space is the white space or empty space which is the part of the design that is not there, the space between the visual elements. This can also be the background colour of a design. Negative space can be just as integral to the design as the positive space. Negative space is important because it helps frame and contain a composition plus it also connects or disconnects shapes to suggest relationships between shapes. Negative space avoids visual clutter and looks clean which can help balance a composition and help focus the viewer on something specific.

In design what creates positive and negative space is the arrangement and visual appearance of shapes within a composition. In two dimensional design, proximity, overlap, opacity, light, shadow, and perspective can be applied to shapes to create visual dynamics.

Proximity is simply the distance shapes are from one another, far apart or close together. Proximity suggests relationships between shapes.

Overlap is the effect where shapes are arranged to appear to be on top of each other. This illusion makes the top element look closer to the observer.

Opacity is the effect where objects appear transparent. Degrees of opacity can make elements look heavy or light to suggest dominance and order of closeness in a space. Opacity blurs the barriers between positive and negative space. Overlapping transparent elements can create dynamics in a composition to create an illusion of 3D and perspective.

Light and shadow can give an object a three-dimensional look. Shadow can create the illusion that an object is on top of another and suggest how far apart they may be.

Perspective is created through the arrangement, creation, and manipulation of shapes to look like they appear in real life. This is the effect where shapes appear to get smaller the further away they get. Perspective can also be achieved through the use of relative sizes of objects, overlapping objects plus blurring and sharpening of objects.

In design, there is no way to determine the depth of the space, only the order of closeness. We can also use positive and negative space to create a focal point, create balance, set a visual tone and define a look and feel.

Source: Gareth David

Balance is a psychological sense of equilibrium. Balance is the equal distribution of weight. As a design principle, balance places the parts of a visual in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. In visual images, balance is formal when both sides are symmetrical in terms of arrangement.

Horizontal balance

Symmetrical balance occurs when the weight of a composition is evenly distributed around a central vertical or horizontal axis. Under normal circumstances it assumes identical forms on both sides of the axis.

Horizontal balance

Vertical balance

Asymmetrical balance occurs when the weight of a composition is not evenly distributed around a central axis. It involves the arranging of objects of differing size in a composition such that they balance one another with their respective visual weights.

Vertical Balance

Radial balance

Radial balance occurs when all the elements radiate out from a central point and the visual weight is distributed equally. Radial balance creates a strong focal point in the center of the design. Clock faces and daisies are examples of radial balance.

Radial Balance

Proportion / Alignment

Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole. This means that it is necessary to discuss proportion in terms of the context or standard used to determine proportions.

Proportion / Alignment

Perspective

Perspective is created through the arrangement of objects in two-dimensional space to look like they appear in real life. Perspective is a learned meaning of the relationship between different objects seen in space.

Perspective

Emphasis / Proximity

Emphasis is used by artists to create dominance and focus in their work. Artists can emphasize color, value, shapes, or other art elements to achieve dominance. Various kinds of contrast can be used to emphasize a center of interest. As in life, the proximity, or the closeness, implies a relationship.
By grouping similar elements into one unit, several things instantly
happen: The page becomes more organized.

Emphasis

Movement / Contrast

The way the artist leads the eye in, around, and through a composition. The path the eye follows. Movement in a visual image comes from the kinds of shapes, forms, lines, and curves that are used. Contrast defines the direction of movement and establishes the difference between objects and shapes

Movement

Pattern

Pattern uses the art elements in planned or random repetition to enhance surfaces or paintings or sculptures. Patterns often occur in nature, and artists use similar repeated motifs to create pattern in their work. Pattern increases visual excitement by enriching surface interest.

Pattern

Repetition / Rhythm

Repetition works with pattern to make the artwork seem active. The repetition of elements of design creates unity within the artwork. Rhythm is the repetition of visual movement of the elements-colors, shapes, lines, values, forms, spaces, and textures. Variety is essential to keep rhythms exciting and active, and to avoid monotony.

Repetition & Rhythm

Variety

Variety provides contrast to harmony and unity. Variety consists of the differences in objects that add interest to a visual image. Variety can be achieved by using opposites or strong contrasts.

Variety

Harmony / White Space

Harmony in visual design means all parts of the visual image relate to and complement each other. Harmony pulls the pieces of a visual image together. Harmony can be achieved through repetition and rhythm. White space is made of nothing, but shouldn't be treated that way. Simply by increasing the space between elements in a layout, a design can take on a more elegant appearance, and by injecting more white space into
a design’s typography, content becomes more legible.

Harmony

Unity

Unity means the harmony of the whole composition. The parts of a composition made to work together as a total visual theme. Unity is the relationship among the elements of a visual that helps all the elements function together. Unity gives a sense of oneness to a visual image.

Unity