The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Discover the principles of effective composition in print design and advertising. Composition, literally the assembly of elements, is the artful arrangement that guides the eye and unifies a design work. Case studies and hands-on projects address closed/open space, negative space, movement, and more.

LESSON 1 Shape and Form Through composition, a design can be playful, serious, humorous, or moving. In Lesson One, you'll explore the concept of two-dimensional shape, a foundation principle in graphic design. You'll look at the way leading artists and designers use positive and negative space, creating intriguing effects through open, closed, and divided space. Polish your critiquing skills on Cezanne before conducting your own space explorations in the exercise.

LESSON 2 The Elements of Design Too big, too small, or just right? Lesson Two explores elements of design, looking at how unified compositions are created through proximity, repetition, continuation, and color. Balance and rhythm are explored as creative compositional strategies. Learn how to use the "Golden Section," discovered in 5th Century Greece, in contemporary compositions, then tackle exercises on unity, balance, rhythm, and proportion.

LESSON 3 Energy and Movement How do designers attract the eye? By creating compositions with energy and movement. In Lesson Three, you'll learn how to create a strong focal point and move the viewer's eye along a chosen route in your work. You'll look at how overlapping planes energizes a layout through push and pull. Finally, you'll apply these principles in a poster design project that brings Mozart to the masses.