Visual Contrast

When trying to solve contextual design problems, composition is a key consideration. This involves the manipulation of contrast and variety, which are vital when generating visual interest in composition.

Contrast in an image can perform various vital functions:
- attract, delight and seduce
- inform, underpin and explain
- revive, refresh and sustain

When looking at the different varieties of incorporating contrast to a presentation layout, I needed to understand the possibilities I could use and work with to help me evaluate design problems.

-Vertical v horizontal            
- Large v small                            
- Whole v partial
- Colour v mono
- Technical v organic
- Movement v static
- Crisp v blurred
- Type v image
- Clean v busy

These solutions made it easier to consider how primary characteristic cannot be communicated without some small element of its contrast...

- no calm without some chaos
- no technical geometry without some organic forms
- no sense of involvement with an element of static
- no feeling of warmth without a reminder of what cold is


Some examples of what I worked on during the seminar:

I started with the basic recipe of three colours, which had tonal value and temperature. I chose the colours rich purple, sludgy orange and pale pink. These were inspired by the other part of the recipe - the image. Finally, I added text to the design.I then used a number of design solutions (e.g. vertical v horizontal) to achieve a variety of visually contrasting backgrounds.  Visual contrast in fashion photography

 Visual contrast within product