2D Art
Principles of Composition
"Between the two extremes - a minimum of organization and a minimum of arbitrariness - we find all possible varieties." - Ferdinand de Saussure
"Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern." - Alfred North Whitehead
"Content precedes design. Design in the absence of content is not design, it's decoration." - Jeffrey Zeldman
Theory
The Formal Properties of Art & Design - shape, value, colour, line, mass/space and texture - are organized according to a set of eight principles: emphasis, variety, movement, balance, unity, rhythm, proportion and scale.
Let's break down how the Principles of Composition work by using a simple metaphor. Think about how language works: a set of twenty-six letters (the alphabet) can be combined according to a very limited set of rules that govern our use of grammar, spelling and syntax. When we apply our rules of grammar, syntax and spelling, we are able to create words, sentences and paragraphs. A theory of linguistics (language usage) is outside of the scope of this metaphor; it's sufficient to point out the important role of a well-defined structure that allows us to tell stories, recite poems, write essays, compose letters, draft reports, track inventories and create many other language-based works that might convey a limitless assortment of ideas and information.
If the Formal Properties of Art are like letters of the alphabet, then the Principles of Composition are the rules (like grammar, syntax and spelling) that we must use to manipulate the Formal Properties until an artwork emerges.
Every Man BURPS
You can memorize the Principles of Composition by using this simple (but somewhat inelegant) mnemonic: EVery Man BURPS.
Emphasis is when one part of a composition stands out so that it becomes a "focal point" or when several parts of a composition stand out as "accents". Emphasis can be created through contrast, placement or isolation.
Variety is a sense of difference among the various parts of a composition. Variety is created when any kind of difference, no matter how slight, occurs between the visual elements of a composition. Variety is always at odds with unity; the two battle for domination of the work. The artist / designer must therefore strike a balance between these two forces: too much variety, and a composition will descend into chaos; too much unity, and a composition will become boring and predictable.
Movement refers to the direction that the viewer's eyes take as they move from one element to another throughout the composition. Movement can be controlled and directed by the artist / designer through the use of lines (actual or implied), the distribution of shapes, the contrast and similarity of colours or values, and through the use of directional patterns or textures.
Balance is the visual distribution of "weights" throughout the composition so as to achieve a sense of equilibrium. Balance can be depicted as
- Symmetrical - weight is distributed evenly throughout picture because similar sized shapes are spaced evenly
- Asymmetrical - the heavier weight of one shape is balanced by several smaller, lighter shapes
- Radial - all shapes appear to radiate from the centre of the picture outward, or from the outer edges toward the centre
Unity is an overall sense of cohesiveness within a composition. Unity can be achieved through proximity, grouping, repetition, containment, closure and continuity. In fact, any kind of similarity of visual elements within a composition will strengthen its sense of unity.
Rhythm is the repetition of marks and "intervals" throughout the composition so as to create rhythmic patterns. Rhythm can be depicted as
- Regular -
- Circular -
- Eccentric -
- Slow -
- Fast -
- Smooth -
- Jerky -
- Progressive -
Proportion is the size of one shape or part in relation to the size of another shape or part in a composition. Proportion can be depicted as
- Natural - all parts are life-like (the way they look in real life)
- Exaggerated - one part is larger or smaller in comparison to the other parts
- Idealized - parts have "perfect" proportions rarely seen in nature (examples may be found among marble statues from classical Greece)
Scale is the apparent size of an object in a composition compared to what we would expect its size to be in actuality. Scale can be depicted as
- Natural - a shape appears the size that we expect it to be
- Diminutive - a shape appears smaller than we expect
- Monumental - a shape appears larger than we expect
