3.1 Principles of composition

The composition of a design informs our understanding of it, shapes our feelings about it and guides the use we make of it.

Take music, for example. When we talk about the composition of a piece of music we mean its structure, organisation and rhythms. We use these to help us make sense of the music. We respond emotionally to the composition and make judgements about whether we like it or not.

Structure, organisation and rhythm are just some of the components that, together, form design composition.

We will explore some of the more important principles of composition and reveals how they underpin a wide range of design in the physical world around us.