In this episode, Amy and James talk about 5 design principles: unity, contrast, balance, rhythm, and visual hierarchy and how they can be applied to an actual project, including their own.SPONSORSVercelVercel combines the best developer experience with an obsessive focus on end-user performance. Their platform enables frontend teams to do their best work. It is the best place to deploy any frontend app. Start by deploying with zero configuration to their global edge network. Scale dynamically to millions of pages without breaking a sweat.For more information, visit Vercel.comZEAL is hiring!Zeal is a computer software agency that delivers “the world’s most zealous” and custom solutions. The company plans and develops web and mobile applications that consistently help clients draw in customers, foster engagement, scale technologies, and ensure delivery.Zeal believes that a business is “only as strong as” its team and cares about culture, values, a transparent process, leveling up, giving back, and providing excellent equipment. The company has staffers distributed throughout the United States, and as it continues to grow, Coding Zeal looks for collaborative, object-oriented, and organized individuals to apply for open roles.For more information visit codingzeal.comKwesFormsKwesForms is the only complete developer-focused form service in the world. Build any type of form. Integrate it into any framework. No drag and drop, no unnecessary stylings. Set up advanced forms for clients on any platform. It works perfectly with any framework. Right out of the box.For more information, visit kwes.ioShow Notes0:00 Introduction2:24 Art vs Design4:34 Can anyone do design?7:16 Principle #1: UnityUX EngineerCues from branding elements: typography, color palette, typographyconsistent design, equals a cleaner design, equals cleaner codeLook at the entire picture: What problem is your product trying to solve? Who are you solving this problem for? And what's the overall message that you're trying to resonate with your audience? And how should you break down that product into smaller pieces and organize it?10:59 Sponsor: KwesForms11:31 Principle #2: ContrastAccessibilityDrive focus to specific areas of the design16:04 Sponsor: ZEAL16:43 Principle #3: BalanceOne element is perceived as heavier than a smaller elementWays to achieve this:ColorSizeWhite SpaceTypes of Balance: Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, Radial, and Mosaic21:09 Principle #4: RhythmYou expect things to be laid a certain wayIf something is not in line, it creates contrast"Know the rules so that you can break them." -- Generally breaking one principle to drive another principle23:17 Principle #5: Visual HierarchyLead or pull the user through24:01 Assessing the call to action on our own personal sites26:49 Sponsor: Vercel27:39 Ways to Establish Visual HierarchyColorSizeBalanceWhite Space29:28 YouTube's red isn't accessible31:30 Above the Fold33:02 Grab Bag QuestionsCam the DeveloperMatias33:30 Grab Bag #1: What is a good resource for determining typography combinations?What Font? Bookmarklet35:59 Grab Bag #2: Hod you find your watering holes and how do you determine what to teach?40:07 James's Pick: Thermo Flask 2 Pack from Costco40:56 James's Plug: James Q Quick on YouTube41:24 Amy's Pick: Sipp App42:10 Amy's Plug: Self Teach Me on YouTube