Yesterday we had a speaker talk to us about the visual elements of composition. We discussed the basics of form, such as lines and shape, as well as design, such as color and harmony. We also viewed many examples of art, by artists ranging from O’Keefe to Hopper to Van Gogh, studying the focal points and the compositions of each painting.

We also talked about framing each subject with variance, by using rectangular, triangular, and circular frames to study the same subject of a sunflower. The same sunflower made various different images based on the framing, lighting and position of reference (e.g. in a vase, lying on a table, etc). Our homework assignment was to compose an image of a sunflower, using mixed media (watercolors, pencils, and watercolor paper).

In terms of media, the visual layout of a logo, blog, or website must also have these aesthetic elements. Focal points in a logo or on a banner help draw the user to the central message of a site, and the color scheme also enhances user satisfaction.

In television or films, the visual composition of each frame is important for the exposition of the plot. Bird’s-eye view, panning, and montage sequences are all perspectives that videographers use as tools in telling their stories.