Your instructor will assign a specific desktop publishing design principle for you to explain.

In the 4.01 Desktop Publishing Principles Discussion, you should post at least one paragraph explaining your assigned principle, its importance, and examples.

You must use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization in your post.

Then, respond to at least two classmates that were assigned a different principle than you and provide additional suggestions or explanations of using the principle they were given.

Scoring Guide

The principle that I have been assigned to explain is "hierarchy". Hierarchy is a fundamental design principle in desktop publishing that refers to the organization and arrangement of elements on a page in order of importance. It involves using different visual cues such as size, color, and placement to guide the viewer's attention and convey the relative significance of each element.

Hierarchy is crucial in design because it helps to communicate the main message and guide the viewer's eye through the content in a logical and structured way. By using different levels of hierarchy, designers can create a sense of order and clarity, making it easier for viewers to navigate and understand the information presented.

For example, in a magazine layout, the heading of an article may be larger and bolder than the subheadings and body text, indicating its importance. Similarly, images might be placed in larger and more prominent positions to draw attention. By establishing a clear hierarchy, designers can effectively communicate the intended message and engage the viewer.

In discussing hierarchy with my classmates, I will suggest that they pay attention to the contrast between different elements in their designs. By making sure that the more important elements stand out visually from the rest, they can effectively create a hierarchy. Additionally, I will recommend that they experiment with different layouts and placements of elements to ensure that the most important information is easily noticeable.