GRID THEORY + RULE OF THIRDS

AR 1.1 Architectural Design I

30 November 2017
COURSE CONTENT
• Grid Theory

• Necessity of Grids

• Rule of Thirds

• Silhouette

Quick Recap:
1. Design Elements + Principles
2. Color Theory
3. Understanding Logos
 DESIGN COMPOSITION
• process of organising the visual elements to form a
work of art

• overall look of the page > random words

• a good paragraph > random sentences

• singular meaning & not ambiguous

PS: you can choose to violate a principle for a desired effect

WHAT ARE GRIDS? holds a design together
whether you work in print or on the web
need understanding of grid theory LIKE THE INVISIBLE GLUE
Grids establish a meter and rhythm
Grids Keep Your Composition Organized
Your Type Will Thank You
Grid works with other key design principles
You’ll Amplify Up Your Multi-Page Layout Cohesivity
Grids Are Highly Flexible
Grids Will Enhance Your Visual Hierarchy
 Grids Can
Encourage
White Space
Grids help you create typefaces
Grids help you create LOGOS
Closes his agency in Paris. He heads to
the Pyrenees with his wife and cousin.
Later goes to Vichy where he recklessly &
unsuccessfully attempts to sell his ideas.

First sketch of Modulor, with the silhouette of a six

foot tall man (1,83m): "His value is this: the human
has chosen numbers as its base ... Here is
proportion! Proportion that brings order to
our relationship with our surroundings."
Mind the Earth
Video
 You Can
Break the Grid
For Extra Impact
What is rule of thirds?
A Simple Approach to Good Composition - Rule of Thirds

Divide the rectangle into thirds. This will aid in locating the
"sweet spots" in which to place the center of interest.

If we divide the picture into 4 equal quarters it could be boring, It is

too powerfully-placed to ignore, overshadowing other elements
needed to understand the picture.
! The rule states that an image
can be divided into nine equal
parts by two equally-spaced
horizontal lines and two
equally-spaced vertical lines.
The four points formed by the
intersections of these lines
can be used to align features
in the composition.
! Proponents of this technique
claim that aligning a
composition with these points
creates more tension, energy
and interest than simply
centering the feature would.
The objective is to keep the subject(s) and areas
of interest out of the center of the image, by
placing them near one of the lines that would
divide the image into three equal columns and
rows, ideally near the intersection of those lines.
Find the Best Spot
● The lines that cross are
called the (sweet spots)
or (Golden Mean
Spots )where you need to
position the important
parts of the photograph.
The best spots are the
(lower right spot) and
(upper right spot)
 Watch the Horizon
● Use the rule of thirds when doing landscape
photography. You don't want (Horizons) to
cut the picture directly in half. When
positioning the horizon on the (bottom line),
you give more emphasis on the sky. On the
top line, your picture looks (weighted) and
(heavy) but puts more focus on the earth.
Oblique and angular lines give
us the sense of dynamic
balance and a sense of
action.
Oblique and angular lines give
us the sense of dynamic
balance and a sense of
action.
Oblique and angular lines give
us the sense of dynamic
balance and a sense of
action.
SIMPLIFICATION
S Curves : Curved lines are
generally used to create a
sense of flow within a
composition.
Some basic design compositional hints:
1. Designate your focal point.
Ask yourself, "Where do I want the viewer's attention to be drawn first?"

2. Consider the whole page/ canvas - figure and ground.

3. Consider effective proportions.

You might apply the "Rule of Thirds." Think of your page as a grid, divided
into thirds horizontally and vertically. Place your focal point on one of the
convergences of these lines.

4. Maintain balance.
Choose symmetry or asymmetry as a strategy. Consider both the size and
complexity of your page elements as you distribute them in your layout.

5. Use repetition.
Repeat shapes, textures, sizes, colors, or other attributes to achieve rhythm,
unity and theme.
Center of Interest and Focal Point
Is following the rule of thirds necessary?
WHAT IS A SILHOUETTE?
SILHOUETTE (NOUN)
THE DARK SHAPE WE SEE OF SOMETHING

OR SOMEONE AGAINST RESTRICTED LIGHT

AGAINST A BRIGHTER BACKGROUND

Silhouette
Should the background be lighter?
Silhouette
REFERNCES
• FORM, SPACE & ORDER - a book by DK Ching

• 2007/04/designing-with-grid-based-approach/

• Slide Share: Better Composition

• designschool.canva.com/blog/grid-design/

• www.smashingmagazine.com

• http://www.creativebloq.com

• graphicdesignshelf.com