#constrast

Whenever I saw design projects made by researchers, I saw similar issues in their designs. These four key points will help you to design better.

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Types of Contrast in Graphic Design

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The gif above is from the anime Castlevania on Netflix

Analysis

The gif above is entirely made up of contrast. Black on a white canvas to make a legible animation. This is known as high contrast, of course meaning an extreme difference in the colors used. There is also asymmetrical contrast in the gif. This is shown in the stark differences between the humanoid character shown and the demon characters shown. They are different but undoubtedly of the same story. Contrasting camera angles are also an interesting way to create contrast for instance if you were to be looking up at someone it gives the idea of power to that character but if you look down at someone it has the opposite effect. In this case however the camera is used to show an imposing character and the demons who are running from him it’s as though they’re being chased. I could imagine using these different techniques as a way to increase the level of intensity at a moment in time, for instance if I were to animate a major impact of something like an asteroid. Or in general to add dynamism to a work. How might you use the different ways to create contrast in your work?

Contrast Glossary

Contrast 

refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a composition so as to create visual interest, excitement and drama.

Contrast

creates variety within a unit, draws the eye to a focal point, creates a sense of adventure or mystery. Contrast is a unifier. Value contrast is when a character or object has a strong darks and lights compared to the scene around it. Size contrast is a gigantic space cruiser compared to much smaller fighters.

Asymmetrical

balance is a dynamic compositional strategy in which each side of the axis are distinctly different yet belong to the same story.

High Contrast

is strong dissimilarity such as black letters on a white background. The high contrast setting is an accessibility feature built into interfaces to assist people with vision impairment. In visual perception of the real world, contrast is determined by the difference in the color and brightness of the object and other objects within the same field of view. Because the human visual system is more sensitive to contrast than absolute luminance, we can perceive the world similarly regardless of the huge changes in illumination over the day or from place to place.

Low Contrast

means a minimum of contrast between light and dark, so that the image is either predominantly dark or predominantly light. The sun sets, dusk sets in and in the gloom there is low contrast in the landscape.

Symmetrical

is a form of balance in which both sides of the axis are the same, a mirror image of each other, creating stability and formality.

Contrasting camera angles

Gentifrication in course

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