18 Composition

Learning objective:
To develop a deeper understanding of composition for inclusion and application to production coursework.

Key words: Positive space, movement, Contrast and Opposition, Balance, flow.

• Positive space is defined as the primary subject(s) in a photograph, while negative space is the space around and between the subject(s).

• There are numerous things that can detract a viewer’s focus away from the subject, whether it be lines, colors, textures, or anything interesting/distracting anywhere besides the subject of the image.  

• These can be used intentionally for artistic purposes to add contrast, tell a story, or place the subjects in their environment, but they are too often present in our images without purpose.

Design Theory:

Composition 

 is the overall arrangement and placement of Art Elements

  (Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Value, Space and Form)

Principles of Compositional Design

The principles of design are the recipe for a good work of art.  The principles combine the elements to create an aesthetic placement of things that will produce a good design.

Visual movement 

is used by artists to direct viewers through their work, often to a focal area. Such movements can be directed along lines, edges, shapes, and colours within the works, but moves the eye most easily on paths of equal value.

Riviera. Liberation of Peon

Van gogh Starry Night

Degas

Degas

Degas

Degas

Movement in Graphic Design

In graphic design, movement is also known as flow.

Flow is the combination of elements to guide the viewer around the design in the correct direction. Flow begins and ends with the dominant element to help keep the eye moving constantly around the design. You never want the eye to stop.

Why is important?

You want the viewer to see everything in the correct order and you want the viewer to look at your design for as long as possible. Flow can achieve this.

How to achieve it

Lines: The eye will naturally follow lines from start to end

Abstracted arrows

Contrast and Opposition

Differences and diversity create interest and excitement. Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements.  Examples: Contrast of line type, direction and expression, organic/geometric shapes, positive/negative shapes, warm/cool colors, intense/muddy colors, opposite colors, dark/light value, texture variety, etc.

Position

Position

Position

Shape

Scale

Scale

Scale

Colour

Colour

Balance

There are two forms of visual balance. These are symmetrical balance, also known as symmetry or formal balance, and asymmetrical balance, also known as asymmetry or informal balance.

Symmetrical Balance can create calm, order and stability. 

Symmetrical balance is when the weight is equally distributed on both sides of the central axis. Symmetry is the simplest and most obvious type of balance. It creates a secure, safe feeling and a sense of solidity. Symmetrical balance can be achieved in two ways. One way is by "pure symmetry," and the other way is by "approximate symmetry."

Asymmetrical Balance can create tension, stress and instability, but also can create interest and excitement.

Symmetrical

Asymmetrical

To summarise:

Center of interest - is an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition.  This can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.

Balance - is a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc.  Balance can be symmetrical or evenly balanced or asymmetrical and un-evenly balanced.  Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition.

Harmony - brings together a composition with similar units.  If your composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not put in just one geometric shape. Harmony is similar to Unity

Contrast - offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition. Contrast shows the difference between shapes and can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to create an area of emphasis.

Directional Movement - is a visual flow through the composition. It can be the suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to object by way of placement and position.  Directional movement can be created with a value pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light areas that you can move your attention through the format.

Rhythm - is a movement in which some elements recur regularly.  Like a dance it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.

The Principles of design are the results of your working with the elements of art.  Use them in every piece of art you do and you will be happy with the results.

Task 1:

Analyse the following images with consideration given to the concepts of movement, contrast and balance. Discuss how each image deals with the viewer's attention. Use the media terminology.

fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3