Composition and Design Techniques are found in imaging, painting, photography, graphics, illustration, animation, architecture, scenic design, filmmaking, fashion in any visual form that exists.

Figure/Ground Figure-ground refers to the relationship between an object and its surround As our attention shifts, the ground also shifts so that an object can go from figure to ground and then back. Ground is sometimes thought of as background or negative space

Closure Closure can be thought of as the tension or "glue" that holds a two-dimensional structure together Counter forms, (or negative spaces), determine whether or not the composition will be perceived as a harmonious whole. Counter forms "echo" the positive visual elements with "similarity," or create powerful substructures that support and connect visible elements

Similarity Share visual characteristics such as shape, size, color, texture, or value will be seen as belonging together in the viewer’s mind Repetition of forms or colors in a composition is pleasing in much the same way rhythm is pleasing in music the forms aren't necessarily identical - there may be tremendous variety within the repetition Make use of similarity in arranging elements and space for aesthetic advantage

Proximity “objects or shapes that are close to one another appear to form groups". Even if the shapes, sizes, and objects are radically different, they will appear as a group if they are close together "grouping,” collective presence of the set of elements becomes more meaningful than their presence as separate elements.

Grouping the words also changes the visual and psychological meaning of the composition in non-verbal ways unrelated to their meaning Elements which are grouped together create the illusion of shapes or planes in space, even if the elements are not touching. Grouping can be achieved with: Tone / Value Color Shape Size Or other physical attributes

Continuity The edge of one shape will continue into the space and meet up with other shapes or the edge of the picture plane Continuity in the form of a line, an edge, or a direction from one form to another creates a fluid connection among compositional parts

In Degas' drawing the line of the round tub starts at the bather's hairline, meets her fingertips, and joins the vertical line of the shelf where the brush handle overlaps. The circular shape of the bather's hips are sharing edges, adjacent to the same shelf edge. The objects on the shelf barely touch and carry the eye from one to another

Symmetry or Not Viewer should not be given the impression that something is out of balance, or missing, or wrong – “A”symmetrical is the opposite Symmetry has order has connotations of stability, consistency and structure Goal is to be structured and equally engaging