Recently, I had the privilege of hearing a solo piece by the principal violinist of the North Carolina Orchestra. In complete bewilderment, all I managed to think was, “How did she do that?”  I think most would agree that experiencing creativity sparks a lot of questions because we simply don’t understand the basics. You can never teach raw creativity, but you can teach a foundation for any creative outlet. For example, musicians learn the basics of scale, notes and beat before they pick up an instrument. Designers are no different; the elements and principles of design are the backbone of art.

As an interactive designer, I am tasked with communicating a message by adding value and meaning with the goal of influencing viewers. Those of us who design for the web still rely on the basic principles of art, whether we’re creating a banner ad or a website. You may be asking yourself, “How do I do it?” After brainstorming a concept with the team, the design process begins. I use the top five principles and elements of design to guide me to a successful outcome.

Read the rest of this post »