Composition

Question 1

1) What is composition?
2) What is symmetry?
3) What is asymmetry?

Answer 1

1) The act of putting together an arrangement of parts, e.g. images, shapes, colours or text.
2) When an object is placed in the centre and the same on both halves. The most simplest of compositions – can be very formal and perhaps a little boring unless combined with other elements.
3) When an element is not symmetrical. When elements are not centred they can look more interesting compositionally.

Question 2

1) What is cropping?
2) What is isolation?
3) What is enlarging?

Answer 2

1) Cropping is when part of an image is cut off. Extending elements outside a boundary frame can add to the interest of the composition
2) Isolation is when you put all of the focus on the image. It becomes a focal point which draws the viewer’s eye to it.
3) Enlarging is increasing the size of an element. Enlarging when combined with cropping can often produce more abstract designs.

Question 3

1) What is weight balance?
2) What is symmetrical balance?
3) Explain pattern and repetition

Answer 3

1) This occurs when objects have a triangular weight base which gives the composition stability.
2) Symmetrical balance occurs when there are similar shapes within a composition, often creating suggested symmetry.
3) Pattern can be a useful tool in graphic design especially when repeated.

Question 4

1) Explain linear pathways
2) Explain flow pathways
3) Explain perspective

Answer 4

1) Linear pathways help to lead the viewer’s eye around the composition from one area to another. They create direction.
2) Flow pathways lead the viewers out of the composition and back in, maintaining the interest of the viewer.
3) Elements that are in perspective create foregrounds and backgrounds through scale. They also create a natural pathway.

Question 5

1) What is proximity?
2) What is hierarchy?
3) Explain positive and negative shapes/ space

Answer 5

1) Proximity is the term used when similar shapes are grouped together within a composition.
2) Hierarchy in design gives elements of the composition importance. This can be achieved through aspects such as scale or colour to give emphasis.
3) Using black and white contrasts, shapes can be made using the negative space. For example, the dark rectangle of piano keys could be used to illustrate buildings.

Question 6

State the 6 design principles

Answer 6

The 6 design principles are: proximity, white space, alignment, contrast, hierarchy, repetition.

Question 7

1) What is alignment?
2) What is scale?
3) Explain foregrounds and backgrounds

Answer 7

1) In graphic design, the principle of alignment refers to the way the different elements in a design are lined up in relation to each other, often creating grids.
2) Scale refers to the relative size of an element in a design when compared to another element in the composition. When scaled-up elements are used they can give a sense of depth and distance within the composition.
3) When combined with other elements, foregrounds and backgrounds are created which create depth and distance in the composition.

Question 8

1) What is echo or framing?
2) What is tension?

Answer 8

1) Echo or framing takes place when similar shapes surround other shapes similarly.
2) Tension occurs when two edges of an image meet. This can often look awkward. It would be better to bring the image in slightly from the edge or extend it to crop the image.

Question 9

The 6 design principles
1) What is proximity?
2) What is hierarchy?
3) What is contrast?

Answer 9

1) Proximity is the term used when similar or related elements are grouped together within a composition. (1) They are therefore perceived to be related (1).
2) Hierarchy in design gives elements within the composition importance. (1) This can be achieved through aspects such as scale or colour to give emphasis. (1)
3) Contrast is the use of opposites in your design. (1). Contrast can include colours, shapes, size and text (1).

Question 10

The 6 design principles
1) What is repetition?
2) What is white space?
3) What is alignment?

Answer 10

1) Repetition is reusing the same elements to create consistency (1). This incudes repeating colours, patterns, fonts, images or textures throughout a piece of work (1).
2) White space is the areas of the composition that are left empty between text and images. (1) This helps the design to breathe and ensures it is not cluttered. (1)
3) In graphic design, the principle of alignment refers to the way the different elements in a design are lined up in relation to each other (1). Grids are often used for this (1).