Although visual communication can be artistic, it's harmony is often affected by mathematical order and proportions. The fibbonancci sequence and the golden ratio are mathematical proportions commonly found in nature and art that when applied produce pleasing and balanced work. The golden ratio is 1= 1.618033987. This proportion is also expressed as the fibbonancci sequence when the preceding number in the sequence is the sum of the past two numbers. For example 1,1,2,3,5,8. Artists, designers, architects and god (debatably) have been using these proportions since the dawn of time.
In graphic design, using an underlying modular grid system can help structure proportions and order either in respect to the golden ration/ fibbonancci sequence or a proportion of the designers creation. Either way, the human eye will naturally look for patterns and consistency when intaking information. When organizing large amounts of information, placing similar information like the page number, title and subheading gives a large body of text structure and order that will make it easier for the reader to find information. A modular grid helps to maintain stable proportions and alignment when organizing content.
Using a grid and pleasing structured proportions will be a safe choice when designing a piece. However, "going off the grid" can produce surprising and pleasing results. Some designers choose to defy the grid and succeed, or just plain fail.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Hierarchy Documentary Review
Hierarchy in graphic design helps the reader successfully navigate information on a page.
Size, typeface, weight, color, texture, and space are all used to create a sense of hierarchy.
Size:
Naturally readers notice the largest object on the page first. Headers generally should be about 250% bigger than the body copy and secondary headers should be 175% the size of the body copy.
Typeface and Weight:
Choosing different typefaces will help the reader differentiate between bodies of text or a headline. Often a mixture of sarif/san sarif is used to differentiate copy. More ornate fonts are often used for headlining text. Finally, the weight of the text will attract more attention or help the copy recede into the background. Bolded texts obviously grab more attention.
Color:
Color can help to categorize information. Warm colors advance on the page while cool colors retract.
Texture:
A body of text creates a pattern or texture. Textures that are easier for the eye are those that have the lease amount of interruptions. Widows/orphans and ragged edges create a distraction for the eye when reading. It is best to have clean edges and have the whole sentence on one line.
Space:
White space can call attention to an object or text. Large amounts of white space can make text feel cramped or more readable depending on the proportions. Balance the size of text to white space on a page.
In addition to the documentary information for this post was inspired from:
Cousins, Carrie. Creating Visual Hierarchy With Typography. Design Shack. 3 March 2014, https://designshack.net/articles/typography/creating-visual-hierarchy-with-typography/. Accessed on Oct 27, 2016
Size, typeface, weight, color, texture, and space are all used to create a sense of hierarchy.
Size:
Naturally readers notice the largest object on the page first. Headers generally should be about 250% bigger than the body copy and secondary headers should be 175% the size of the body copy.
Typeface and Weight:
Choosing different typefaces will help the reader differentiate between bodies of text or a headline. Often a mixture of sarif/san sarif is used to differentiate copy. More ornate fonts are often used for headlining text. Finally, the weight of the text will attract more attention or help the copy recede into the background. Bolded texts obviously grab more attention.
Color:
Color can help to categorize information. Warm colors advance on the page while cool colors retract.
Texture:
A body of text creates a pattern or texture. Textures that are easier for the eye are those that have the lease amount of interruptions. Widows/orphans and ragged edges create a distraction for the eye when reading. It is best to have clean edges and have the whole sentence on one line.
Space:
White space can call attention to an object or text. Large amounts of white space can make text feel cramped or more readable depending on the proportions. Balance the size of text to white space on a page.
In addition to the documentary information for this post was inspired from:
Cousins, Carrie. Creating Visual Hierarchy With Typography. Design Shack. 3 March 2014, https://designshack.net/articles/typography/creating-visual-hierarchy-with-typography/. Accessed on Oct 27, 2016
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