Fundamental Principles of Visual Design and Composition

Visual Design Principles and Structural Elements

Anomaly: Anomaly is the presence of an irregularity in a design where regularity is still prevalent. For example, cracks in a smooth wall attract attention. It transforms the design to relieve monotony and break regularity.

The Role of Gradation and Progression

Gradation demands not only a gradual change but that the gradual change is made orderly. It generates an illusion and creates a sense of progression.

• Gradation on the map: Rotation in the plane and progression in the plane.
• Gradation in space: Spatial rotation and spatial progression.
• Gradation in the figure: Union or subtraction and tension or compression.

Radiation and Multi-Symmetric Arrangements

Radiation: This involves modules repeated or regular revolving structural subdivisions around a common center, such as the arrangement of petals. It is generally multi-symmetric.

There are two factors: the radiation center and radiation addresses. The major classes include centrifugal, concentric, and centripetal.

Repetition and Sub-Module Composition

Repetition: If you use an element more than once in a design, it is used in repetition. Repetition is the simplest method for design. The types include color, size, figure, texture, address, space, gravity, and position.

A module can be composed of smaller elements, which are used in repetition. These smaller elements are called "sub-modules." The meeting of four circles can be linear, triangular, square, diamond, or circular.

Similarity and Visual Consistency

Similarity: Forms may resemble one another and yet not be identical. If they are not identical, they are not repeated; they exist in similarity. Similarity is not the strict regularity of repetition, but it maintains a considerable degree of the feeling of regularity.

Surface Texture and Creative Techniques

Texture: Every figure has a surface area, and all must have certain characteristics that can be described as smooth or rough, plain or decorated. Texture refers to the surface features of a figure.

There are three types of texture: decorative texture, spontaneous texture, and mechanical texture. These are available through:

• Drawing, painting, and printing
• Copying, rubbing, and vaporization
• Spilling, dumping, and staining
• Colored smoking and burnt scrapings
• Scratching, collage, and photographic processes

Formal and Informal Design Structures

The structure may be formal, semi-formal, informal, active, inactive, visible, or invisible.

• Formal: Structural lines are rigidly constructed.
• Semi-formal: Where there is a slight irregularity.
• Informal: Organization is free or indefinite.
• Inactive: Guides the placement of forms or modules without interfering with their figures.
• Active: Structural lines divide the space into individual subdivisions, which interact with the modules it contains.
• Invisible: The structural lines are conceptual; they have no visible thickness.
• Visible: The structural lines exist as real and visible lines of a desired thickness.