composition

=Composition=

toc

Definition
Refers to the arrangement of elements or visual components within a piece of work using the principles of design. Effective composition should have a sense of visual hierarchy, enabling the audience to easily perceive which components should be seen first.

During the creation process, composition should take into consideration aspects like document/canvas size, noting visual parameters, and adhering to any additional guidelines (ie. Grids and rules). Note that in regards to printing, composition refers to typesetting.

Some basic examples include:


 * Figure 1.** [|Image source.]

Figure 2. [|Image source].

Figure 3. [|Image source].

Principles of Design
Includes balance, directional movement, rhythm, contrast, harmony, dominance, and unity. We should all be familiar with these, but here's a brief recap. Keep in mind that some artists or designers do bend the rules a little.

> > vs. > [|Image source.] > [|Image source.] > Examples: > > [|Image source.] > Examples: > > [|Image source.]
 * ===**Balance**=== is the feeling of visual equality in shape, form, vlaue, colour ,etc. It's your symmetrical and assymetrical things. Additional info here.
 * ===**Directional Movement**=== is exactly what it sounds like. Visual flow through the composition (or simply put, where the eye is led). Aside from the use of form, this can be created with gradation technique (using tonal values or colour). A gradation from dark to light will cause the eye to move along a shape.
 * ===**Rhythm**=== Movement of elements that recurs regularly (i.e. repetition, sound effects Brian Donnelly does when describing the visual hierarchy of a design).
 * ===**Contrast**=== is that thing we all learned in Visual Language. Juxtaposing opposing elements, may it be regarding colour, form, tone/value, scale, direction, texture, what have you.
 * ===**Harmony**=== is that feeling that one element has a peaceful relationship with the rest. This can be achieved by combining similar or related elements (e.g. adjacent colours on colour wheel, similar shapes, etc.)
 * ===**Dominance**=== is just another fancy word for focal point.
 * ===**Unity**=== refers to the visual linking of various elements of the work.

Resources

 * "Composition." __Msn Encarta__. 2008. 
 * Lovett, John. "Elements and principles of design." __John Lovett__. 1999. 31 Jan 2008. 

Page produced by JohnathanFong. Edited by Edelyne.