Compose Your Frame

Last semester I had the opportunity to spend some time in one of the most fascinating cities I've ever been to, San Fransisco. My team and I took a bus tour around the city and the number of intriguing frames available there were countless. The one that was my favorite of the day though was a picture I took of the Columbus Tower with the Transamerica Pyramid in the background. 

There are many compositional aspects to this photo, but the most striking is by far is the diagonal rule. The Columbus Tower jettisons out of the frame front and center to create depth. Similarly yet conversely the trolley cables take your eye away from the foreground and draw attention to the Transamerica Pyramid in the background. 

The Transamerica it's self uses its pyramid shape to lengthen the frame, giving a hint towards the sheer magnitude of the city. This is a great example of a graphic vector as the lines draw the eyes upwards and gives perspective to the frame. 

The rule of thirds is apparent in the proportion of the Transamerica (1/3) to the Columbus and the continuation of buildings attached (2/3). This makes it aesthetically pleasing to the eye and proportionally sound.

Overall the image gives an impressive yet pleasing message, a frame that is imposing and inviting at the same time.

Axioms of Web Design

 

The website that I chose is one of my favorites, the official website of Star Wars. It's nerd heaven and looks good too. It appeals to a sense of order and depth through it's task bar with countless portals to information. The grid lays out nicely so that what needs to be seen can be seen, but the gutters are kept clean and equidistant. As the eye moves from left to right, the visitor sees more options, which is a good way to keep the more in depth fan intrigued for a longer time. The Star Wars website is intuitive enough in it's lay out so that the first time user or brand new fan can navigate it easily. Obviously the point of the website is to showcase and promote Star Wars, which Admiral Ackbar and the bold Star Wars logo do well right off the bat on the banner. Overall for it's audience it is pleasing to the eye and versatile from device to device. The Star Wars website is a wonderful and pleasing escape from life and the realities of this galaxy.