In part one, we looked at the ways that negative space and proximity can be used to enhance the page designs. In part two, we will look at the ways that repetition, contrast, alignment, focal points, and column grids keep your page design organized and emphasize messages.
Repetition
Like proximity, repetition also helps emphasize the main message of the yearbook design and helps connect themes. Repeated objects, colours, and shapes will indicate to viewers that these design elements or messages are important to pay attention to. For example, repeatedly displaying the school’s colours in a variety of ways will help viewers associate the text to the school it represents. This example also demonstrates how repetition can be used to tie ideas together that may not have direct correlation to each other. In other words, repetition can be used to unify the design features and consolidate the message.
Contrast
Emphasizing differences is another way to direct the focus of viewers. Contrast will take 2 or more design elements that have obvious differences and juxtaposes them so that unique features can stand out. It can be established by using complimentary colours, size variations, distinct typefaces, dissimilar shapes, etc. Contrast will help establish focal points and balance the entire design layout.
Alignment
This is the intentional arrangement of the text and images so that their positions in the yearbook layout are agreeable or appear correct to the eyes of viewers. When the text and images are not aligned, this may become an unintentional distraction that can take away from the message that the design is trying to communicate. There are some cases where breaking the rules of alignment may be desirable to create contrast and emphasize a point; however, this must be done with discretion.
Focal Points
Focal points are the areas of the yearbook design that stand out to viewers, which are placed to pinpoint the elements that viewers should focus on first. They are the first impression of the content for viewers; therefore, they are meant to grab viewers’ attention and generate interest for the entire design. Focal points can be typography, objects, shapes, and images. No matter what the focal point is, the choice should be well thought out and strategically placed because this element will either encourage the reader to dive into the content or cause them to lose interest. All the design techniques listed in the previous sections work together to generate focal points, which unify the entire design. Not only do they attract the attention of viewers, but they also direct where viewers’ eyes should travel next.
Column Grids and Eyeline
Column grids are templates that help establish the structure of the yearbook’s page layout. They help ensure that design features are properly aligned, and negative space is methodically distributed throughout. The grids can have as many columns as necessary to organize the page effectively. There should be standardized spacing separating each column so that you have a guideline for aligning your design components. Columns and spacing is measured in picas, which is a 1/6 of an inch. Try out these easy-to-use column grid templates we have provided here (hyperlink).
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