What does alignment refer to in design?

Alignment in design primarily refers to how objects relate to each other and how they are visually arranged in relation to one another. It involves positioning elements in a way that creates a sense of order, structure, and consistency in a layout. Proper alignment enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the design and helps guide the viewer's eye across the composition.

While placing objects in a straight line can be a part of alignment, it does not encompass the full concept. Alignment is broader and includes various forms of arranging elements, such as aligning them with the edges of other objects, the margins of a layout, or along an implied line. This concept contributes not only to aesthetics but also to the functional aspect of guiding user interaction and improving readability.

Other options touch on related concepts like symmetry and color harmony, but they do not define alignment itself. Symmetrical arrangements pertain specifically to balancing elements visually, while color harmony addresses the aesthetic relationship between colors rather than the spatial relationship between objects.