This week, we learnt that harmony and contrast can be achieved through size, shape, direction, orientation, colour, and more.

One point that stood out was how a contrast in size can add to the development of a narrative.

Here, there is a contrast in size between the adult's and baby's feet. By placing them together, the heartwarming image allows us to imagine the growth and future of the young child, and how the infant is occupies such a small physical space (but most likely occupies a huge space in his/her parent's hearts).

When harmony is coupled with contrast, we get unity. One example is repeated patterns. Another ways to achieve unity includes rhythm (repetition of similar or varying elements at a predictable frequency).

Here is one example:
Visual Balance refers to the degree of equilibrium in a composition, determined by the choice and arrangement of elements in relation to each other and the frame. This can be achieved through weight and gravity, or by symmetry and even asymmetry (interesting!).

The samples of movie posters shown during lecture were very interesting. I never noticed these visual principles whenever I come across a movie poster.

A new term introduced was 'radical symmetry', which refers to lines and shapes that are mirrored both vertically and horizontally.


Moving on to scanning patterns, they provide cues for proper viewing sequence and keeps in audience's attention within the frame.