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Composition Suggestions & Ideas: Be Well Composed
Composition Suggestions & Ideas: Be Well Composed
BE WELL COMPOSED
When you’re designing, you’ll often be asking yourself questions like: Where should this thing go in the frame? How big should it be? How
can I make my viewer look at it? Composing elements in your frame is one of the trickiest aspects of design, especially when you have to
balance creating a beautiful image with the need to establish hierarchy (telling your viewer what’s important and what’s not). Here are some
guidelines and tips to help you get manage this difficult task.
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is the most commonly used grid based design theory. By dividing your design into thirds (a series of
even horizontal and vertical lines), wherever those lines intersect is considered to be a focal point, and a pleasing
spot to place elements of your design. Keep in mind, though, it’s more of a Rule than a Law. Things don’t HAVE to be
exactly on that focal point.
Radial balance is a composition layout where elements radiate from a center point. Rays of sunlight and ripples in a
pond are examples of radial balance. The focal point is always the center of the frame. Because everything radiates
from a center point, everything also leads to that center, making it a strong point of attraction.
Repeating Elements
Take a single element from your design and apply it liberally throughout your compositions. Repeating
elements from one frame to another in your design board, helps each frame flow into the next, creating a
cohesive set of frames.
Mosaic Balance
Mosaic balance (or crystallographic balance) results from balanced chaos. The composition lacks distinct
focal points, and the elements share a uniform emphasis. The lack of hierarchy leads to visual noise at first
glance, though somehow it all works together. This one takes a lot of practice.
Hierarchy by Size
You can direct the viewer’s eye by creating
a contrast in size. Making an element of the
composition larger than other elements
creates a focal point.
Capacity
Hierarchy by Contrast
Emphasis can be created by contrast in size,
color, and value. An element in contrast with
something else is more easily seen and
understood; something different attracts
the eye.
Hierarchy by Isolation
If most of the elements in a work of art are
grouped closely together, an object by itself
stands out as a focal point.
Timothy Haldeen
Yuki Yamada