design rules
Principles governing aesthetics
Design rules are established guidelines that govern how something should be constructed or arranged, particularly in technical fields.
In semiconductor manufacturing, design rules specify minimum dimensions and spacing for circuit elements to ensure chips can be reliably fabricated.
In graphic design, they might dictate typography, color usage, or layout constraints: The design rules require 12-point minimum font size.
The term implies constraints that enable rather than limit—following design rules helps avoid costly errors.
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- grid systemIntersecting line network
- color theoryFramework for understanding hues
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- proportionComparative relation of parts
visual weight · contrast · negative space · typography · ethical guidelines · accessibility · modularity · compatibility · whitespace · hierarchy · simplicity · form follows function · alignment · clean lines · responsiveness · texture · adaptability · user interface
design rulesartistic freedom
Right to create unrestrained
creative freedom · anything goes · improvisation · carte blanche · free expression
design rulesdisorder
Absence of organization
disorganization · inconsistency · messiness · randomness · anarchy
design rulesgut instinct
Immediate unreasoned knowing
intuitive design · tacit knowledge · felt sense · natural talent
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