Principles

Research & Development Document

Contents

Brief Breakdown 3

Idea Generation 4

Point, Line, Plane 6

Colour 17

Layers & Transparency 23

Texture 41
Modularity 55
Grid 63
Scale 74
Framing 91
Figure & Ground 103
Pattern 113
Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance 128

2 Principles
Brief Breakdown Introduction

Understanding the brief

Project Overview Research Principles

What is the project about? What research will I conduct? Which graphic design principles will I explore?

During the Principles brief, I will begin by understanding the design principles To understand each principal to the fullest, I will begin by learning the The twelve principles I will explore include:
that are fundamental to becoming an accomplished graphic designer. basic definition of each principle from multiple sources. The sources I
I will then move onto exploring existing designs and seeing how each principle will use to conduct my research may include books, websites, Youtube Point, line and plane
can, and should be used most effectively. videos, Skillshare classes, and quotes/opinions from talented and Rythem and balance
Finally, I will demonstrate my understanding of each principle by producing a experienced graphic designers. Scale
series of appropriate visuals that explore each subject. Texture
I will then delve deeper into each subject to further my knowledge of each Colour
principle. This will include researching areas such as colour theory, colour Figure and ground
phycology, and the interaction of colour. My research will answer such Framing
questions as to why is each principle is important? What are the benefits Hierarchy
Deadline of using each principle? And finally, how can I apply each principle to my Layers and transparency
work in the most effective way? Modularity
When does the project begin? What is the deadline?
Grid
Finally, my research will then take me into finding some of the best Pattern
examples and use of each principle within the world of graphic design. I
The Principles brief begins on the 30th of September 2019, and the hand in will explore and analyse existing designs that I think demonstrate the best
date is the 1st November 2019. ways of using the design principles.

3 Principles
Idea Generation Development Document

Initial ideas and thoughts

4 Principles
Idea Generation Development Document

Initial ideas and thoughts

5 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Initial sketches and inspiration

6 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Font creation
I constructed the Pac-Man Logo Type inspired font
using basic shapes. I then used the ‘Shape Builder
Tool’ to merge the individual shapes, creating
the complete letterforms. To create the letter E, I
continued to use the shape builder tool, but instead
of adding shapes together, I subtracted the small
rectangles from the larger rectangle.

7 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Font creation

Font name: Pac-Man Logo Type Inspired

Version: Version 1.00, build 2

24

36

48

60

72

8 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

9 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

10 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Final design process

11 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Final design process

12 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Final design process

13 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Final design process

14 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Final design process

15 Principles
Point, Line, Plane Development Document

Final design for point, line, plane

16 Principles
Colour Development Document

Inspiration

17 Principles
Colour Development Document

Final design process - Coke

18 Principles
Colour Development Document

Final design process - Red Bull

19 Principles
Colour Development Document

Final design process - Pepsi

20 Principles
Colour Development Document

Final design process - Pepsi

21 Principles
Colour Development Document

Final designs for colour

22 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

23 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

To begin my layers design, I followed along with 1 3
a quick tutorial showing me how to create the
isometric type I was to achieve. The tutorial is called
‘Create an Isometric Type Effect in Adobe Illustrator’
presented by a graphic designer called Daniel White,
also known as Dansky.

1. I decided to use the same font as in the tutorial, called

Indigo, because I thought it looked quite a simple and
fun font to work with.

2. The first step was to choose between uppercase 2 4

and lowercase letters. I decided to go with lowercase
for the friendliness.

3. The next step was to kern the type to the best of

my current ability. It was a minor improvement.

4. With my type selected, I right clicked and chose

‘Create Outlines’. I then went over to the ‘Transform’
window and reduced the height to 86.602% (this
percentage is in relation to the isometric grid). I
then sheared the letters by -30 and rotated them by
30. I also created a second set of letters to be the
opposite direction.

24 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

Using Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel, I added a 3D layering effect to the type, followed by Object > Expand Appearance I changed the colour of the face of the letters to a lighter grey. With both sets of type selected I copied and pasted several
to ensure all pieces of the letters and the layering effect are whole shapes. more sets of letters, layering them below, each getting a slightly darker tone of grey.

25 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

So far, I wasn’t feeling very confident in the direction I was heading; however, I was also feeling quite curious
as to what the type would look like with a bit of colour. I used a colour palette like that of the tutorial, with
some minor changes. I then added a background in a colour that added contrast, but complimented the
type, as well as adding a white stroke around the letters.

26 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

After taking a break for an hour I was then able to come back with a fresh perspective. To start, I followed my original
idea and separated the layers with some spacing. I experimented with different weights of outline and no outline at all.
I then began experimenting with various drop shadow positions.

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Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

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Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

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Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

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Layers & Transparency Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

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Layers & Transparency Development Document

Rough sketch and reference for final design

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Layers & Transparency Development Document

Final design process

To begin my Isometric lightsaber design, I first needed I duplicated the polygon repeatedly until I had a page full of small I then placed my reference sketch into the document.
to create an isometric grid. I made the Isometric Grid by polygons. I then used Ctrl and 5 to turn the full page of polygons Over the years, sketching a slightly more refined drawing
creating a polygon, rotating it 90 degrees, and using the into a guide. and placing it in my document has become an important
line segment tool to connect all 6 anchor points. part of my process early on into a design.

33 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Final design process

To begin creating the isometric lightsaber I started with the basic form. At first With the basic isometric ellipse created, I was then able to Using the ‘Add Anchor Point Tool’ and the ‘Direct Selection Tool’ I was
the basic form consisted only of ellipses. To create an isometric ellipse, I first used copy and paste several new ellipses to create the centre piece able to add and then delete anchor points on specific points of each
the ellipse tool to create an ordinary ellipse. With the normal ellipse selected, I of the lightsaber. stroke. I did this to remove any unwanted lines that were going through
then went to Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel, and used the options shown in the or behind the form of the lightsaber piece. The screenshot above shows
screenshot. With the ellipse still selected I then used Object > Expand Appearance. the progress through three examples.

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Layers & Transparency Development Document

Final design process

I continued to use the same process to create the remaining two Moving onto the additional details and pieces I started from the bottom I then used the ‘3D Extrude & Bevel’ effect again to position the
main pieces of the lightsaber. working my way up. To create the black strips on the lower piece of the shape at the correct angle and the full shape that was needed for
lightsaber, I created a simple shape I thought most resembled them the black pieces.
the most. To do this I used a basic shapes with a few strokes, then
using the ‘Shape Builder Tool’ to subtract the remaining strokes and
shapes that weren’t needed.

35 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Final design process

After creating the shapes for the black pieces, I With all four pieces created, it was now time to turn the grid I repeated this process for the piece that would be separated from
removed the fill and changed the shapes to outlines. I back on using ‘cmd’ + ‘:’, and position the pieces in relation to the middle of the lightsaber hilt.
then cleaned up the line work using the same method the bottom piece of the light saber. I also used the ‘Pen Tool’ to
as earlier, using the ‘Add Anchor Point Tool’ and the create lines that would soon be used to represent the separation
‘Direct Selection Tool’. of pieces.

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Layers & Transparency Development Document

Final design process

I continued to use the same process for the rest of the additional I decided to add a few more details here and there as I thought
details. I also added single strokes, which I then turned into dots the light saber was looking a bit plain.
using the ‘Dashed Line’ option.

37 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Final design process

I downloaded a free high-resolution paper texture from the I also changed the colour of the strokes to a darker red and royal
internet, which I then added to a new layer in Illustrator. I then blue, whilst keeping the light saber crystal the opposite colour for
lowered the opacity of the texture image to 90%, allowing a contrast. I also lowered the opacity of the crystal to represent the
bit of the off-white background to seep through. transparency aspect of my design.

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Layers & Transparency Development Document

Final designs for layers and transparency

39 Principles
Layers & Transparency Development Document

Final design for layers and transparency

40 Principles
Texture Development Document

Experimentation for texture

I first began exploring texture by participating in a group event hosted by the university’s Art Society. The technique we
explored is called paper marbling. For this we simply had containers full of water, with plastic cups mixed with vegetable
oil and various colours of food dye. We then poured small amounts of the mixed vegetable oil and food dye into the
containers of water, which we then used to dip our sheets of paper into. The paper would absorb the food dye mixture
creating all kinds and variations of inky splodges.

41 Principles
Texture Development Document

Experimentation for texture

42 Principles
Texture Development Document

Final design process

My initial idea for my Braille design was to simply
say ‘Texture and Communication’ in Braille. The idea
was simple, so it was going to be a simple design.
After having a chat with Jonny about my idea, he
suggested I consider saying a bit more than just
texture and communication.

Still a bit unsure of what I wanted my design to say, I

decided to go with ‘Twelve Principles of Design. Braille
demonstrates the importance of texture in design and
communication.’. I also developed this idea slightly
with the addition of creating a reverse design. On
the opposite side to the braille would be the same
sentences written in English.

The next step in creating my Braille piece was to get

a better understanding of the Braille system. Using a
video on Youtube called ‘Learn Braille In One Lesson’
as reference, I was able to translate my text into
Braille. Since the Braille system is very complex, I
decided to stick with just basic grade 1 Braille for
now. I also referenced an online pdf called ‘Size and
Spacing of Braille Characters’ so that I was using the
correct measurements.

43 Principles
Texture Development Document

Final design process

The image shown to the right is all my workings out,
and all the information I wrote down for reference
when creating my design.

44 Principles
Texture Development Document

Final design process

Next, I began creating the Braille digitally. So that the Braille was laid out correctly, I Using my reference I could see that the first word I needed to I deleted the unwanted circles for each Braille symbol, leaving
decided to create a set of guidelines. I started with 3 horizontal guides, which were write in Braille had six letters, plus the capital letter symbol, so the word ‘Twelve’ in Braille.
spaced vertically by 2.340mm. I then used the ellipse tool to create a circle, which I seven characters in total. I duplicated the Braille cell six times
then duplicated twice and spaced evenly along the guidelines. I then duplicated these with a spacing of 2.340mm between each.
three circles and moved them horizontally by 2.340mm which created the ‘Braille cell’.

45 Principles
Texture Development Document

Final design process

I continued to use this process for the rest of the title ‘Twelve Principles of Design’. Each word was
separated with a 1cm gap.

46 Principles
Texture Development Document

Final design process

I then moved onto the text ‘Braille demonstrates the importance of texture in Not long after finishing the spacing of the Braille cells, I realised I had Finished Braille characters which communicates “Twelve Principles
design and communication’ following the same process. done the spacing in between each word incorrectly. I had set the spacing of Design. Braille demonstrates the importance of texture in design
to 1cm, when it should have been 6.2mm. Fortunately I had realised and communication.”
this before I began deleting circles to create the Braille characters.

47 Principles
Texture Development Document

Final design process

After finishing the Braille I explored a few different

layouts and colour schemes.

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Texture Development Document

Final design process

49 Principles
Texture Development Document

Final design process

At this point I was very happy with how the Braille I explored various sizes and leading with the type.
looked, but I felt something wasn’t quite right with the
text. I had full confidence in the font choices, Helvetica
Bold and Helvetica Regular, but it felt unfinished.

50 Principles
Texture Development Document

Final design process

I woke the next morning with a fresh perspective and I explored three more choices in font size. I decided
the idea to align the text using a guide. to use the middle option moving forward.

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Texture Development Document

Final design process

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Texture Development Document

Final designs for texture

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Texture Development Document

Final designs for texture

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Modularity Development Document

Initial ideas and sketches

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Modularity Development Document

Final design process

I began my pixel art design by watching a quick
tutorial to learn a fast and simple process on how to
create pixel art in Illustrator. The video I watched on
Youtube is called ‘Paxel Art in Illustrator | Illustrator
Tutorial’ by TipTut.

The first step in my process was to create the document

I was going to be using to explore the basic letterforms
in the next few steps. I created a document 500 pixels
by 500 pixels. I then used the ‘Rectangular Grid Tool’
to create a grid, which was also 500 pixels by 500
pixels, with horizontal and vertical dividers of 50.

I also created a tan coloured background as I find it a

lot easier on the eyes when working digitally for hours
at a time, as opposed to a bright white background.

To assist me in creating my pixelated letterforms, I quickly threw together some shapes

to create the letters spelling ‘Modularity’. These letters would be used as reference in the
next step of my process.

56 Principles
Modularity Development Document

Final design process

With the grid selected, I used the keyboard shortcut ‘K’

to select the ‘Live Paint Bucket’ tool, which I then used
to begin creating my pixel letterforms.

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Modularity Development Document

Final design process

I continued the process for all the remaining letters of modularity.

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Modularity Development Document

Final design process

Font name: Pixels

Version: Version 1.00, build 1

24

36

48

60

72

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Modularity Development Document

Final design process

I then moved on to creating the bricks from Tetris, as well as the alien I began experimenting with different layout, colour and ideas
and the ship from Space Invaders, using the same process. using various elements of the design.

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Modularity Development Document

Final design process

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Modularity Development Document

Final designs for modularity

62 Principles
Grid Development Document

Initial ideas and sketches

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Grid Development Document

Final design process

I began my grid poster design by first choosing a few appropriate Next I created a series of lines evenly spaced vertically and With the grid background now created, I began experimenting
colours as options for the background. I decided to go with a horizontally to create a grid. This would be used as the with different combinations of colour, levels of opacity and
solid black, and two shades of dark blue as off-black variants. background and the main idea behind my design for grid. I also gaussian blur.
However, for my final design I chose to go with the darker blue chose two colours I thought appropriate for the lines, which I
variant later into my design process. would use to create a gradiant.

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Grid Development Document

Final design process

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Grid Development Document

Final design process

I played around with adding a gradient to the edges of the

strokes to create a fade effect around the edge of the design,
acting like a border. I also added the same high-resolution
paper texture that I used in my layers and transparency design.

66 Principles
Grid Development Document

Final design process

Using the same grid that I created for the background, as I used the direct selection tool to select specific corner anchor Using the ‘Pen Tool’ and rectangles as a guide, I turned each
reference, I began working on the letterforms. I started with points around my letterforms and adjusted the corner radius by letter from a filled shape into 5 single strokes.
basic rectangles and aligned them to the grid. 5mm for the outer corner, and 2.5mm for the inside corners.

67 Principles
Grid Development Document

Final design process

Once I finished creating the Tron inspired letterforms, I began

exploring the gaussian blur effect, different colour letters, as
well as different size and position of letters. I also added in
a quote from the movie ‘A digital frontier’ using one of my
favourite fonts Futura Book.

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Grid Development Document

Final design process

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Grid Development Document

Final design process

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Grid Development Document

Final design process

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Grid Development Document

Final design process

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Grid Development Document

Final design for grid

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Scale Development Document

Experimentation for scale

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Scale Development Document

Experimentation for scale

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Scale Development Document

Experimentation for scale

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Scale Development Document

Final design reference

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Scale Development Document

Final design process

I began my design for the principle scale by constructing a basic Unfortunately due to the Millennium Falcon being such a complex subject to illustrate,
composition of what I was hoping to achieve with my idea. I I forgot to record the process during the early stages. My screenshots are limited but
used multiple ellipses, one large in place of the Death Star, and I still think they demonstrate the process of creating the Millennium Falcon.
a smaller ellipse to represent the Millennium Falcon.

78 Principles
Scale Development Document

Final design process

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Scale Development Document

Final design process

Once I had finished illustrating the Millennium Falcon,

I began exploring its size and positioning in relation to
the rest of the composition. I also added stars to the
background using a series of multiple size ellipses.

80 Principles
Scale Development Document

Final design process

To begin the Death Star I created a set of lines consisting

of ellipses and horizontal lines. I used these lines, along
with the ‘Shape Builder Tool’ to create the panels that
wrap around the Death Star.

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Scale Development Document

Final design process

I then created a line of small squares, which I copied and pasted

several times to create small windows of light all throughout
the Death Star.

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Scale Development Document

Final design process

Once I had finished creating the bottom half of the Death

Star, I positioned it onto my artboard, added a shadow to
the right side, and began experimenting with different sizes
and positioning.

83 Principles
Scale Development Document

Final design process

84 Principles
Scale Development Document

Final design process

I added a high-resolution metal texture to the Death Star. To I continued to experiment with different sizes of Death Star,
do this I placed the image into the document and created a different levels of opacity with the metal texture, slight changes
clipping mask within the circle of the Death Star. in the darkness of the background.

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Scale Development Document

Final design process

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Scale Development Document

Final design process

I reduced the size of the larger stars in the background; and

finally, I added some lines of motion behind the Millennium
Faclon, as well as a shadow over the right half of the ship.

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Scale Development Document

Final design process

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Scale Development Document

Final design for scale

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Scale Development Document

Final design for scale - 4K desktop wallpaper

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Framing Development Document

Initial ideas and sketches

91 Principles
Framing Development Document

Style inspiration - Olly Moss

92 Principles
Framing Development Document

Final design process

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Framing Development Document

Final design process

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Framing Development Document

Final design process

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Framing Development Document

Final design process

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Framing Development Document

Final designs for framing

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Framing Development Document

Final design process

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Framing Development Document

Final design process

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Framing Development Document

Final design process

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Framing Development Document

Final design process

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Framing Development Document

Final designs for framing

102 Principles
Figure & Ground Development Document

Initial ideas and sketches

103 Principles
Figure & Ground Development Document

Inspiration - Noma Bar

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Figure & Ground Development Document

Final design process

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Figure & Ground Development Document

Final design process

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Figure & Ground Development Document

Final design process

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Figure & Ground Development Document

Final design process

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Figure & Ground Development Document

Final design process

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Figure & Ground Development Document

Inspiration

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Figure & Ground Development Document

Final design process

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Figure & Ground Development Document

Final design process

112 Principles
Pattern Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

113 Principles
Pattern Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

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Pattern Development Document

Early designs and experimentation

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design inspiration and reference

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design process

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Pattern Development Document

Final design for pattern

127 Principles
Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Initial ideas and sketches

128 Principles
Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Refined ideas and sketches

129 Principles
Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Inspiration - Jessica Hische and a previous design of mine

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design process

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Hierarchy, Rhythm & Balance Development Document

Final design for hierarchy, rhythm and balance

141 Principles
Thank You