Elements of Design

Contrast
AKA - How to manipulate graphic
tools in a Way that the Human
Eye Likes to View Them
Focus Statement CONTRAST
Look at the following slides with the intentions of focusing
on:

what the YES examples have in common
how the YES examples differ from the NO
examples

Dont focus on the subject of the picture; rather, focus on
the effect that the image has on you with regards to you
recognizing how contrast is used in each composition.
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
Can you define CONTRAST yet?
Contrast is the breaking of whatever pattern has already been
established.
Its that one thing that sticks out because it doesnt seem to
belong, based on the established pattern of the image (either
the tone, the colours selected, the shape, the texture whatever
has established the pattern is now different in the item meant to
contrast
Using a different colour, a different texture, etc. (one of the
elements) that is different from all of the others in the image
creates contrast



In the previous YES examples, contrast was used
creatively and created a specific message, while the
NO examples all failed to use contrast effectively.

Is this an example of good use of
CONTRAST?
This doesnt use contrast,
as all of the elements
patterns are maintained.
The tones are the same,
the eye is led in the same
direction, everything is the
same. No real contrast
here.
Does this use CONTRAST
effectively?
Through both the change
in the expected colour and
the expected texture of
the outside of the flower to
the inside petals, this
creates strong contrast
and focuses you quickly
on the central pink softer
petals.
A strong example of
CONTRAST ?
Absolutely. The harsh
difference between the
red and green cant get
much more opposite on
the colour wheel! The
greenness of the
background really makes
the red of the individual
petals POP!!!
CONTRAST?
Not much contrast
here. There is a bit in
the brighter band of
colour, and in the
harsh lines introduced
at the back of the
greenhouse, but
overall, this is a
constant tone,
constant colour palette
and expected patterns.
Not much jumps out
here as breaking the
rules.
CONTRAST?
While there is subtle
contrast in the colours of the
blues compared to the rest
of the image, imagine how
much better the gull would
have popped off the page
if it had been against that
blue background instead of
against the greys and
whites and blacks that are
so similar to its colour tones.
This creates a soothing
look, but doesnt really use
contrast.