Consistency meaningfully correlates design objects by type or function. Consistent pattern repetition is a part of all meaning, because it allows users to place new information within a schema.

Consistency can be established by controlling the object-level aspects of design objects. For example, all of the images in a document can be made consistent by imposing standardized parameters of shape and size; all of the page numbers in a document can be made consistent by imposing standardized parameters of font and placement.

Consistency is related to all design principles but is perhaps most closely linked with its obverse contrast. Consistency establishes the baseline meaning which gives purposeful contrast its effect.