Principles of Design: Contrast
Contrast, as a principle of design, differentiates line, value, shape, texture, and color. It helps to create dominant areas within a composition, emphasizing what is most important (i.e. focal points). Contrast makes shapes more clear.
Clarity
Clarity of shapes and areas is achieved through the separation of contrasting value differences.
Study the examples below of the circles and rectangles and note how even slight value contrasts create shape clarity and difference in overall composition. The focal points are created by value and shape contrasts.
A Study in contrast
In the example on the left, a minor contrast at the focal point helps to create an overall low key (i.e. mostly dark values) composition.
The same example on the right, with a change of value contrast, alters the focal point areas, and the overall feel of the composition.
Clarity of shapes, areas, and focal points can also be achieved through the separation of texture, color, and the value, saturation, and temperature differences of color.
