Design Principles
The basic principles of design are true for Web design as well as other design. They show you how to put together design elements in an effective manner. Design is more than just slapping HTML tags up onto a page, and using these principles will help you build more pleasing and useful designs.
Balance
Balance is the distribution of heavy and light elements on the page. Larger, darker elements appear
heavier in the design than smaller, lighter elements. The principle of balance shows you how to lay out your pages so that they work.
Promimity
nearness in space, time, or relationship
Alignment
arrangement in a straight line, or in correct or appropriate relative positions
Repetition
the action of repeating something that has already been said or written
Contrast
the state of being strikingly different from something else, typically something in juxtaposition or close association
Space
a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied