“I strive for two things in design: simplicity and clarity. Great design is born of those two things.” Author, Lindon Leader
The previous article gave a general overview of all One Dominant Composition and the Seven Variations.
Describing the variations can seem confusing, so this tutorial offers a deeper explanation along with visual examples to clarify the intention behind each one.
Variations of the One Dominant Device in Design
For review, the One Dominate composition establishes a contained space and central perspective for the design, which is the focal point. Its usual placement is in the center of the canvas. The entire design may contain sub-dominant and subordinate elements. These elements add interest to the One Dominant feature, (which never touches the boundaries of the perimeter). The other descriptive elements add visual weight to this design feature.
The Seven Variations
The seven other One Dominant variations introduce a secondary element in the focal point supporting the dominant design. Remember, the secondary element is also contained within the boundaries of a One Dominant device.
One Dominant – Two Dominant Variation
In this One-Dominant design a circle with a large leaf is the focal point element.
The two lighter green leaves overlap the large leaf to add contrast and interest and are the Two Dominate element in the design.
The secondary is always subordinate. It never visually overstates the main element but supports it.
One Dominant – Pattern
The circle on the canvas remains the focal point in this One Dominant variation example. The secondary device changes, while still subordinate.
Here, Pattern is secondary. Pattern adds texture, rhythm, and cohesion to the composition.
One Dominant – Negative-Positive
A Negative-Positive One Dominant design device, in this case incorporates two contrasting planes working together to define space.
The contrasting colors demonstrate how positive space (the filled areas) and negative space (the contrasting seemingly empty areas) define and complement each other. Essentially, one space defines the other.
As a secondary device in a One Dominant design, the negative-positive concept can be incorporated into the primary design, or it could add interest within the primary focal point.
One Dominant Structure
When structure is the subordinate rendered element, marks like grids, angles, lines, and planes are arranged to create an organized framework.
For example, intersecting lines form a grid, bold angles can add structure, and planes of color can fill spaces to create interest. A simple example is the framework of a building.
One Dominant – Movement
When incorporating movement as a subordinate feature, the arrangement of elements engages the viewer’s eye to move through the composition.
Lines, shapes, curves, and colors create flow, guiding attention toward the focal point and making the design feel moving, alive, and dynamic. In this example the swirling lines are the movement.
One Dominant Frame
Using a Frame as a secondary element appears just as one would expect.
The dominant element which is the flower within the circle in the focal point and the subordinate feature is swirling pink frame.
A frame may be rendered any way an artist chooses as long as it frames the focal point art.
One Dominant – Perspective
As a secondary design element, perspective creates the illusion of depth and space within the one-dominate focal point.
Size variation or lines that converge toward a vanishing point can make two-dimensional designs appear three-dimensional.
Perspective can help guide the viewer’s eye by adding a sense of depth to the composition.
Downloadable Design Guide
If you missed downloading a design guide, click back to the previous lesson and scroll to the end of the post.
Art Play
Before moving on to the next post in this series take some time and explore printed media. Look for One Dominant variations. Add these examples to your art notebook. Then play with creating some ideas in your art journal.
In our next tutorial we cover variations of the Two Dominant Compositional Device providing examples of all seven variations.
To find links to every lesson, click > Art & Design Tutorial Table of Contents
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