GDS Chapter 7

Question 1

What are the two main goals of composition?

Answer 1

Creating visual interest and clarity of communication.

Question 2

What is composition?

Answer 2

The form, the whole spatial property, and structure resulting from the arrangement of graphic elements in relation to one another.

Question 3

What are margins?

Answer 3

The blank space on the left, right, top, or bottom edge of any printed or digital page.

Question 4

What should you consider when determining the margins?

Answer 4

Consider the content and how the margins can best present it.

Question 5

What is the midline and it’s role?

Answer 5

An imaginary vertical line down the center of a page that can be used to determine visual balance.

Question 6

How to create an asymmetrical composition?

Answer 6

Arrange forms to counter-balance each other’s visual weight without mirroring.

Question 7

What is a plane?

Answer 7

A flat surface.

Question 8

What are the three main planes?

Answer 8

Foreground, middle ground, and background.

Question 9

What is the foreground plane?

Answer 9

The part of a composition that appears nearest the viewer.

Question 10

What is the middle ground plane?

Answer 10

An intermediate position between the foreground and the background.

Question 11

What is the background plane?

Answer 11

The part of a composition that appears in the distance or behind.

Question 12

What does the tilted plane do?

Answer 12

Creates the illusion of a three-dimensional space.

Question 13

What is perspective?

Answer 13

A schematic way of translating three-dimensional space onto a two-dimensional surface.

Question 14

What is transparency?

Answer 14

Making graphic elements see-through and layering them.

Question 15

What is volume?

Answer 15

The representation of mass on a two-dimensional surface.

Question 16

How can you suggest volume?

Answer 16

A curved or modulated line.

Question 17

How can you suggest the illusion of depth?

Answer 17

Use volumetric shapes, a gradual change from one color to another, or a progressive shift in tone or value.

Question 18

How can you suggest movement?

Answer 18

Active relationships such as diagonal counterpoints, acute shifts in scale, and extreme value contrasts.

Question 19

What is contrast used for?

Answer 19

To create visual interest, differentiate graphic elements, as well as compare dissimilar elements.

Question 20

What are some preliminary creative exercises in the compositional process?

Answer 20

Play with form.

Play with media.

Play with historical styles.

Sketch with type only.

Question 21

What is a type-driven design?

Answer 21

Emphasis on type over imagery.

Question 22

What is an image-driven design?

Answer 22

Emphasis on image over type; can have no type at all.

Question 23

What is a type/image emblem?

Answer 23

An emblematic relationship between the type and the primary image.

Question 24

Explain a fused type and image juxtaposition.

Answer 24

Type is inseparable from the image, creating a conjoined or emblematic relationship.

Question 25

Explain juxtaposition where the type runs across images.

Answer 25

Both type and image are seen simultaneously for the purpose of communicating in unison.

Question 26

What is the supporting partner type and image relationship?

Answer 26

A classic “neutral” typeface works cooperatively with the image, which has the starring role.

Question 27

How to use a complementary relationship?

Answer 27

Select the typeface to work in opposition to images, relying on contrasts.

Question 28

How to use a formal ironic relationship?

Answer 28

Select the typeface and images for their incongruity, for ironic effect.

Question 29

Where can an entry point be?

Answer 29

The focal point or a visual path created by white space.

Question 30

What are transitions?

Answer 30

The passage or progression connecting one graphic element to another in a design, the key to creating a smooth visual flow from one graphic to another.