CompositionComposition can be defined as the orderly arrangement of elements in a scene which, when taken as a whole, conveys intent and

meaning.

CompositionComposition can be defined as the orderly arrangement of elements in a scene which, when taken as a whole, conveys intent and meaning.

Composition in Art and Music

• Composition in Music is similar you can take random notes and play them and they have no meaning

• Put together the same notes in a composition and you have a hit

• In art we use the Elements of art to form our notes

• How we put them together becomes our composition

Line

Calder

Warlimpiringa Tjapaltjarr

Shape 2D

Miro

Form 3DGiacometti, 'Cage' 1930

Space

Tone or Value

Caravaggio

Texture

Meret Openheim

Color André Derain

Getting the Viewers AttentionReprinted from Visual Architecture: The Rule of Three

• How do you get the viewer to see your art work

• Some research results indicate that there is a 6 seconds (or less) time to grab the attention of the audience!

• Because of this there is a downward trend towards reading all of the information available and an upward trend toward rapid perception of symbols.

Your Generation Looks at Stuff Differently

• Because of these trends information acquisition has changed from a "read it all" activity to a "scan it all" activity.

• Recent generations have been trained to learn from digital interfaces (e.g. games, educational CD-ROMS), and display a high dependence on concept rather than core information for the acquisition of new knowledge - this is the "point-and-click generation."

The Rule of Three

• The Rule of Three is based on a triangular figure but not just any triangular figure. It must be interesting .

• Asymmetrical as opposed to symmetrical

Figure 1 is static: x, y and z objects are equally distant. The first step of

the rule of three is to create a dynamic interaction between

objects.

Figure 2: z is moved slightly to the left and interaction between objects is

improved.

How to use Composition

• Create a centre of interest to guide the eye around the image

Reprinted from Visual Designhttp://www.a-website.org/design/composition_design.htm

Use dynamic

triangular composition

s to structure

the viewing plane,El Greco, 'The knight'

The Use of Contrast for Composition

The eye is drawn to the brighter areas of a scene.

This means that the prudent use of lighting can be a composition

tool, in this case to emphasize important

scenic elements and to de-emphasize others.

Valequez Las Meinaiss

The eye is drawn to the flat area in

contrast with the heavily

patterned areas

Gustav Klimt

Your Assignment

• Begin By thinking of away to integrate 3 objects into a composition

• You may mix images with text• Think about the message you will be making– Know what you're trying to say -- and who you're

saying it to.– Never say it if you can show it.

• Create 3 thumbnail sketches of what you would like to create

Thumbnail sketches•Thumbnail Sketches are Shorthand Notes for Artists•Thumbnails are Memory Aids and Planning Tools•Creating thumbnail sketches is a crucial part of the brainstorming aspect of your design work. Don't discount the value of this step in the design process

Let’s make some art!