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Graphic Design vocabulary · Layout & Grids

Composition

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/nounCommon term

In graphic design, composition means: The overall arrangement of shapes, images, text and space in a design or picture, and how they work together to lead the eye and create a feeling.

In Turkish: kompozisyon, düzenleme

How it is used

Used in critiques, art direction and photography. A composition can be strong, dynamic, static, busy or balanced; you work on, rethink or simplify the composition.

Example sentences

  1. The composition feels static; try cropping the photo tighter and moving the headline off-centre.

  2. Her poster series won an award for its bold composition.

Common collocations

  • strong composition
  • dynamic composition
  • rethink the composition
  • simple composition
  • balanceThe way the visual weight of elements is spread across a design so that it feels stable. Balance can be symmetrical, with mirror-like halves, or asymmetrical.
  • focal pointThe part of a design that attracts the eye first and holds attention, often created with size, colour, contrast or position.
  • rule of thirdsA composition guideline that divides an image or layout into a three-by-three grid and places important elements on the lines or where they cross, rather than in the centre.
  • layoutThe way text, images and other elements are arranged on a page, screen or poster, including their size, position and the space between them.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Layout & Grids

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