OUGD404 - Study task 5 - Canons

Canons - principles and rules of a page layout design use to measure and describe the proportions, margins and print area of a page.

Balance - Visual balance comes from arranging elements on the page so that no one section is heavier than the other. Or, in other instances, a designer may intentionally throw elements out of balance to create tension or a certain mood.

Proximity / Unity - In design, proximity or closeness creates a bond between elements on a page. How close together or far apart elements are placed suggests a relationship (or lack of) between what are otherwise disparate parts. Unity is also achieved by using a third element to connect distant parts. 

Alignment -  brings order to chaos. How you align type and graphics on a page and in relation to each other can make your layout easier or more difficult to read, foster familiarity, and/or bring excitement to a stale design.

Repetition / Consistency - Repeating design elements and consistent use of type and graphics styles within a document shows a reader where to go and helps them navigate your designs and layouts safely. Ensure that your document utilises the principles of repetition, consistency, and unity in page design.

Canons are important to layout designs, as they are used to measure and describe proportions of pages, margins and print areas. Popular canons that designers use are Van de Graaf's, Tschichold's Golden Canon and Tschichold's Octavo.