Composition - Exploring it further

[russpears]

Here are the compositional stratigies I have Identified:

Alignment (creates unity and order, but if broken it can create functional differences that can help clarify the hierarchy and make contrast).
(1) Impact/Rich experiences (Broadside text that requires the reader to turn)
(2) Simplicity/Economy (All similar information is aligned to one position)


Asymmetrical Balance (balance between objects of differing shape, size)

Background/Foreground Distinction (Could engage the viewer to interpret as in a gestalt or add dimension to a flat design)
(3) Impact/Rich experiences (Faces or a Vase)


Balance (Prevents new meanings from developing based on the visual weight of some elements)


Bridging (Unites different parts of a design creates new meanings based on touch.)


Color Echo (the copy colors from element to others to reinforce harmony)


Competing/Rival elements (counterproductive arrangements or elements)


Contradiction (using elements that produce cognitive dissonance)


Contrast (Functional differences that can direct flow, establish hierarchy and add to the impact and affect of the piece. Used to create unity or make relative differences more functional.)


Discord (Use conflicting visual elements for abstract means)


Disorder (Can convey only when appropriate)


Dynamic Spacing (placement that reinforces the concept or message)


Flow (Movement of the viewers’ eye across a design.)


Focal Points (areas that attract the viewers eyes)
(4) Impact/Rich experiences (Key hole die cut on article on voyeurism)
(5) Simplicity/Economy (“Get the point text” replaced with a big red dot)


Focus (Can focus the eyes movement, Create clarity in the message)


Framing (Used to confine flow around a focal point.)


Gestalt (engages the audience with emergent elements derived from the whole that can create more subtle relationships).
Continuation (used to simplify and engage the audience over what is not shown)
Closure (The mind’s tendency to fill in the gaps and simplifies and engages the audience to interpret missing parts)
Proximity/Distance (helps create a relationships from relative distances)
Similarity: (The mind wants to search for patterns based on common attributes)
Simplicity: (The mind wants to reduce everything to more basic shapes)


Grouping (Creates relationships between visual elements)


Hierarchy (Creating and order of importance for visual elements through use of any design element or compositional strategy)


Kissing edges (Should be avoid unless they can be made useful.)
(6) Impact/Rich experiences (Gate fold showing door just touching image )
(7) Simplicity/Economy (Replace two lovers kissing with two gender symbols touching)
(8) Unity/Harmony(Article on the art of kissing has two lines touching each other)
(9) Clarity/Order (All headings are touching a rule)


Leading Lines/edges. (Lines or pointing elements that can lead the eye and direct flow).


Legibility (The extent to which the elements can be read as intended)
(10) Impact/Rich experiences (3D text with cut out paper glasses)
(11) Simplicity/Economy (Article on drinking has blurred heading text)
(12) Unity/Harmony (article on how the mind reads words Ail Txet Is Csrsoed Oat)
(13) Clarity/Order (Article on poor vision is intentionally bold)


Mosaic Balance (an overall balance of many elements)


Multiple Reads (lead the eyes through more than one point within the design)


Visual Anchors/Natural attractors places where the eye tend to stay (elements like people, animals primary colors that are innate and primal)


Odd Rule (odd numbers seem natural and random)


Even numbers (Even seem man made, contrived and static)


Passive Space (Space that should be used and seems excessive or empty. gives the eyes resting places in busy layouts and provides a context or contrast for positive/active space)


Placement (Show examples where position can help unite, simplify, or clarify the design message)


Positive Space: (Is space that is occupied by a main subject or element)


Negative Space (Is required for meaningful special relations between elements, without negative space all spatial relationships become meaningless )


Repetition (Repeating elements or modifications that simplify a design).


Rhythm (Changing pattern of elements or modifications)


Static/Active Placement ()


Strong Visual Angles (add tension, visual movement and excitement)


Stylistic agreement (Complement or likeness of a particular style)


Symmetrical Balance ()


Symmetry (The human mind is attracted to patterns and symmetry is the most fundamental symmetry within object properties)


Tangents (Generally something to avoid, these are Lines or edges that can cause visual ambiguity and confusion of shapes.)


Thematic Agreement (Using an element in a way that reinforces the concept)


Trapped/Confined Space (space that causes discomfort or blocks movement of elements within a design can be useful to clarify the message).


Unequal Placement (Resists static placement and adds to tension)


Variation (used to avoid lackluster design an improve on the design’s impact)


Visual Ambiguity (Elements that engage the viewer to interpret in one or more ways)


Visual Movement (movement derived from an objects design.)


Visual Weight (the weight we associate with an element can affect contrast or direct flow)


White Space (Helps provide better context for a design and gives room for things to be noticed at all. The amount should be proportional to the theme)

[Mad Aussie]

Holy smokes Russ! That's a huge effort. I'll have to read that several times to get a handle on it all. Thanks for sharing!

[russpears]

I took some of this from my own personal design notes: Observations, Readings, etc.

Again the trick is to see how this might relate to Photography.