'' Sheet composition

1
.. Sheet composition

• Internship Reporting
• summary exhibition boards
• LAR 645 Fall 2009
• Lorn Clement

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Outline

• Goals
• Principles/strategies for composition
• Visual characteristics of form
• Other image considerations
• Typography
• Ex. Smithsonian Magazine
• Ex. Dwell Magazine
• Ex. Previous internship boards

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Goals

• Unity with variety
• Dynamic equilibrium
• Visually engaging, delightful
• Clarity, legibility
• Compelling narrative
• Comprehensive
• Research-based
• Memorable

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Principles/strategies

• Concept / parti
• Layering
• Underlying geometry
• Unity, continuity
• Balance (symmetry, asymmetry)

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Principles/strategies

• Hierarchy (imagery, labeling, text)
• Repetition, rhythm
• Proportion, scale
• Dominance accent
• Strong contrast
• Alignment, justification

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Principles/strategies

• Compartmentalization (grid)
• Linkage, overlap, clustering
• Datum
• Unity of three
• Articulation, detail
• Border, frame, margins

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Visual characteristics of form

• Size
• Shape
• Position (proximity)
• Direction
• Color (hue, value, chroma)
• Texture
• Opacity, transparency

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Other image considerations

• Center vs. Edge
• Focal points _at_ 1/3 2/3s
• Visual weight/density
• Visual movement, gesture
• Discovery, surprise, chance
• Shapes and lines w/in images
• Value/edge contrasts
• Value gradations
• Color harmonies and contrasts

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Typographic considerations

• Visual character of font / type (style)
• Serif / Sans serif
• Bold, italic, underline, normal
• Solid or outline, filled or open
• Uniform or gradation / fade

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Errors to avoid

• Bulls eye composition
• Static, boring composition
• Too much uniformity (dullness)
• Too much complexity (chaos)
• Cultural symbols, icons
• Inappropriate emphasis
• Unintended messages

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Smithsonian magazine
June 2005
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Background image Contrast Columns Hierarchy Repeti
tion
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Balance (symmetry) Unity of three Hierarchy Justif
ication
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Unity of three
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Visual movement Gesture Overlap Alignment Hierarch
y Rhythm (echo)
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Grid Quadrants Repetition
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Overlap Linkage Repetition
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Grid Alignment Hierarchy Repetition Proportion Str
ong Contrast Analagous Accent Border
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Polarity (reversal) Alignment Hierarchy Overlap A
ccent Dominance Complementary
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Dwell magazine
June 2005
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Underlying grid Alignment Hierarchy Repetition Ov
erlap Gradation
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Datum (vertical line) Linkage Proportion Approx.
1/3s
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Grid Repetition Alignment Radial, pinwheel
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Expressed grid Repetition Variety
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Hierarchy Alignment Edges w/in Images
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Overlap Transparency (Literature!)
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Overlap Transparency 1/3s (More literature!)
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Transparency Overlap Repetition Compartmentalizati
on
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Strong contrast Overlap Gradation 1/3,
2/3s Relation of text to image components
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Strong contrast Overlap Gradation Articulation Det
ail
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Final thoughts

• Know the rules so you can use them creatively
• Tell a good story
• K.I.S. (Keep it simple) B.M.I.E. (but make it
  elegant!)

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Resources

• http//www.dwellmag.com/
• http//www.metropolismag.com/cda/
• http//www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/
• http//faculty.capd.ksu.edu/lcweb
• (click on LAR 645)