Graphic Design

Composition

Composition
Keuzevak GD1

author: Raul Martinez (raul@thecombine.nl)

Graphic Design

Composition

Composition = Organization
Composition is the organization, placement or arrangement of visual elements according to a set of principles.

Elements are arranged according to specific principles into a harmonious whole which works together to produce a desired statement.

Graphic Design

Composition

Graphic design takes place in the confines of 2-dimensions (H/W)

Form & Space

CONTENT
[ text, images / style ]

STAGE
[ media, output / context ]

Relationships
Structure Hierarchy Flow

Placement
Golden Section Rule of Thirds Grid Systems

HARMONY

Graphic Design

Composition

The Golden Section: Natural Proportions

The Golden Section is a measurement found in most organisms in nature and the human brain has a preference for this harmonious natural proportion.

This measurement has been known for centuries and has been used in art, architecture and other disciplines to create objects that are perceived as beautiful for being naturally attractive.

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Composition

Architecture & Art

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Design & Media

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Composition

Design & Media

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Composition

How to make a Golden Section

Fibonacci sequence: every number in made from the sum of its two preceding numbers.

0 + 1 = 1 + 2 = 3 + 5 = 8 + 13 = 21 + 34 = 55 1 + 1 = 2 + 3 = 5 + 8 = 13 + 21 = 34

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Composition

Rule of Thirds: visual proportion

The Rule of Thirds is a technique used in photography and other visual arts that divides an image in nine even parts by tracing two horizontal and two vertical lines that cross each other. Placing the objects depicted at the cross-points of this grid makes for a much more dynamic and attractive composition.

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Rule of Thirds in action

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Rule of Thirds in action

Alex Knudsen

Alex Knudsen

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Comparison
= 1/2 = Rule of Thirds = 1/4 = Golden Section

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Principles of structure and balance

Symmetry, Asymmetry, Order & Chaos

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Composition

Symmetry
Symmetry takes place when an image or an object can be divided into two equal (mirrored) halves by a dividing line drawn through its mid-section.

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Composition

Asymmetry
Asymmetry takes place when an image or an object is not evenly divided into two equal halves when a dividing line is drawn through its mid-section. Asymmetry is the absence of symmetry

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Symmetry / Asymmetry / Dynamic sym.

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Order
Order is a visual state that takes place when all elements in a composition are arranged according to a defined hierarchy.

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Composition

Chaos
Chaos is a visual state that takes place when elements in a composition do not display a defined hierarchy among them.

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Composition

Order / Chaos

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Order / Chaos

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Assignment
Composition:
Taxi Driver poster Make 4 new compositions with the posters elements based on the principles of symmetry, asymmetry, order and chaos. http://docent.cmi.hro.nl/marrd/KMGD1/Taxi_Driver.zip You can move, change, replace, remove or add elements to achieve the composition you want. Use the rule-of-thirds to help you with the compositions if you want. You can sketch your designs on paper before making them on the computer. Save your work as 4 individual PDFs and write your student number and the name of the principle as the name of the file: > 0808080_Asymmetry.pdf > 0808080_Order.pdf > 0808080_Symmetry.pdf > 0808080_Chaos.pdf

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examples