NHS Designs

Definition
a·lign·ment
noun
an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines

Design Principles
Alignment

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Page 2: Business Card

In the example (repeated below) that you saw in the proximity section, the text is also aligned-it's aligned down the center. A centered alignment often appears a bit weak. If text is aligned, instead, on the left or the right, the invisible line that connects the text is much stronger because it has a hard vertical edge to follow. This gives left- and right-aligned text a cleaner and more dramatic look. Compare the two examples below, then we'll talk about it on the following pages.

example 35a

This example has a nice arrangement with the text
items grouped into logical proximity. The text is center-aligned over itself, and centered on the page. Although this is a legitimate alignment, the edges are "soft"; you don't really see the strength of the line.

 

example 35b

This has the same logical arrangement as above, but it is now right-aligned. Can you see the "hard" edge on the right?

There is a strong invisible ltine connecting the edges
of these two groups of text. You can actually see the edge. The strength of this edge is what gives strength to the layout.

 

Next...

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Source: The Non-Designer's Design Book by Robin Williams


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