Somewhere along the way I read a book about design for non designers. I would give you the ISBN and all that stuff except I can’t remember where I put the book. Mind you it was a few years ago that I bought the book. The main concept was CRAP design.

Contrast is not just about Colour but fonts and more. When designing something you need to look at the contrasts, The harder the contrast the better. If you are using too many fonts on a page, you are diluting the power of contrast. Think about it. If you use two different script fonts that are similar, Are you creating a contrast or are you diluting your message?

Repitition is about repeating the design elements. Repetition gives the design flow and focus. It also makes it more pleasing to the eye. Repeating a header font with a contrasting content font makes the document easier to digest.

Alignment is very important. Align your design elements so that they make sense. Use alignment to create focus and to give the document substance. Alignment allows you to steer the person where you want them to go.

Position allows you to group ideas and thought. If your design elements are in the wrong position it can make or break your document.

I will discuss each of these elements of design in more detail. One item at a time so as to make them easy to understand. I will draw pictures and show you how just one of these elements will improve your design and how using all four you can create dynamite newsletters, documents and even adverts.