Composition and Posters

Why do we have to compose design solutions?

You have to compose your design to fit the screen or board it is on. All graphic elements have to respond to the edges or outer boundaries of its page. You have to consider if it will be in landscape or portrait setting. Various factors go in to composing the design.

Grouping is putting graphic elements together that appear to be similar. You can arrange them together, have them connected or close together. This will make the perception that they belong together. Once you understand this process, you can create visual emphasis easier. For design concepts there are three different ways to portray your design. Type-driven: emphasis on type. Image-driven: emphasis on image. Type/Image emblem: a relationship between the two. You first have to choose one of these methods before you continue with your design. You have to arrange the type of image that you want. Are they going to be separate or together? Integrating type and image, supporting partner type and image, sympathetic type and image, and finally contrasting type and image. These are all different approaches to bond the relationship between type and image.

The designer has to come up with a way to have the viewer enter the main focal point. How is the viewer going to can the design? What will they be drawn to? Transitions – smoothing out the visual flow and connecting one design to another, and continuity – directing your eyes to the next element, are ways to approach graphic space.

What is the purpose of a poster?

The purpose of a poster is to spread a message through visual communication. Posters are placed in multiple places so everyone will see it once or multiple times. Placing it in multiple locations reinforces that message to the person looking at it. Mixed media and experimental media – combining different visual art media like paint with collages. Woodblock – a technique for printing text, patterns, or images on textiles or paper. Screen printing – use a porous mesh screen stretched over a wooden frame, stencil, squeegee, ink, and a surface like paper. You have to set the poster apart from other posters or images. Set a mood or emotion with it. Have a clear visual communication. Make sure the poster is cohesive and flows nicely.