Viet Tran presents
ART & DESIGN
10 principles behind every good composition
Balance
Spread visual weight so a composition feels stable. Symmetry feels calm and formal; asymmetry feels alive — as long as the weights still answer each other.
Contrast
Differences in size, tone, colour or shape make things readable and interesting. Without contrast, everything blends into one grey surface.
Emphasis
Give each piece one clear focal point. When everything shouts for attention, nothing is heard.
Hierarchy
Order elements by importance so the eye knows what to see first, second and third. A good hierarchy can be understood in a glance.
Proportion & scale
Relative size tells a story: large feels important, small feels secondary. Get the proportions right and the message follows.
Movement
Lines, shapes and gazes lead the eye along a path through the work — like two hands reaching across a gap.
Rhythm & repetition
Repeating shapes, colours or spacing creates pattern and rhythm. A deliberate break in the pattern instantly draws attention.
Unity
Everything should feel like it belongs together — shared colours, type, spacing and style make many parts read as one whole.
Variety
Enough difference to keep the eye curious, without breaking the unity. Variety is the spice; unity is the dish.
White space
Empty space is not wasted space. It gives content room to breathe, groups what belongs together and focuses attention.
“Design is the art of deciding what matters.”
LET’S CREATE TOGETHER
Have a product, a brand or a big idea? I’d love to hear about it.
Header: Michelangelo, “The Creation of Adam” (c. 1512, public domain), redrawn as an animated halftone.