Page layout design

Balance is a technique used in photography that move about images within a frame so that the objects are of equal visual weight. There are 3 types of balance including : symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial. Symmetrical balance- This is where an image will look the same on either side of the centre, similar to a mirror image. For example if you drew a line down the middle of the page the image would look the same on either side.

Asymmetrical balance- Each side of the image are not identical, but they will differ from on another. The elements in the photo are arranged meaning there is a sense of balance.

Radial balance- This is where the photo has any type of balance but is it based on a circle with its design extending from the centre.

Alignment of text, objects and images can be presented in 3 different ways; left aligned, centred and right aligned.

Flush left alignment- The text, object or image will be lined up along the left margin.

Flush right alignment- The text, object or image will be lined up along the right margin.

Centred alignment- The text, object or image will be aligned around a midpoint.

Contrast is a tool used in photography that is used to direct viewers attention to their main subject. The contrast can vary due to the weight, size and colour choices.

Weight- Photographers use the weight of on object to attract your eye to a focal point. Visual weight in photographs is influenced by a number of factors which is used to strengthen the focal point. For example if a red jelly bean is on top of yellow jelly beans it would look bigger and stand out more.

Colour choices-  By using a bright colour against a dark background the colour choice will allow the bright object stand out. The brightness refers to the lightness or darkness of the image.

Repetition- This is the action of repeating something that has already been done.

Proximity-  The objects are near each other and are presented as a unit.

Emphasis-  An area or object within the photograph that draws attention to itself and becomes the main focal point.

Negative space- This is where there is an empty area in the photo surrounding the main subject.

Grid systems-  Uses a two – dimensional framework to align and lay out design.

Conventional page layouts-  Deals in the arrangement of visual elements on a page in a usual way.

Unconventional page layout- Deals in the arrangement of visual elements on a page in a unusual way.

Focal point of page- A prominent section on a web page that we want to guide the users attention to.

Rule of thirds-  This is applied when aligning a subject with the guide lines, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image to flow from section to section.

Golden ratio-  It is a special number found by diving a line into two parts so that the longer part divided by the smaller is also equal to the whole length divided by the longer part.

Typography- The art and technique of arranging letters to make the written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed and viewed by the audience.

Type Hierarchy-  This refers to the arrangement of elements in a way that implies importance, allowing the reader to easily find what they are looking for.

Text flow- The way text is displayed in a document, how it behaves and breaks according to settings.

Runarounds- This is where the ends of lines of text are adjusted to conform to a box or irregular shape, rather than a simple column margin.

Interactivity- This is the combination of electronic text, graphics, moving images and sound into a structured digital computerised environment that allows people to interact with the data for appropriate purposes.

Dynamic website- contains web pages that are generated in real-time which could include scripting code such as PHP or ASP.