- Let's revisit the idea of balance here.
If the layout on the page is too even,
or if the negative and positive spaces are equal,
the layout loses energy.
We've seen how the golden section can serve as a guide.
And now, another option.
A layout can be more interesting and dynamic
based on the rule of thirds.
A centered and even balanced layout is too calm,
it creates no tension.
The viewer is not challenged in any way.
Everything is answered.
There is nothing for the viewer to question.
Why bother?
The communication will simply be ignored.
As human beings, we like to create order from chaos.
We organize our friends into distinct groups.
We create structures to contain our socks from our T-shirts.
When we see a layout divided into thirds
we try to organize the asymmetry
into a cohesive and understandable image.
It forces us to question,
is that symmetrical or asymmetrical?
Is that balanced?
Remember, the longer I can keep a viewer interested,
the more he or she will retain the information.
Artists and photographers use the rule of thirds
to great success.
A static image is brought to life
by rearranging the composition
to avoid simply centering the subject.
Paul Strand's photograph of a family in Italy
is dynamic and compelling with an asymmetrical layout
based on the rule of thirds.
Strand not only divided the subjects
up vertically into three groups,
but used the same approach horizontally.
It's a system that works just as successfully
with composition and layout.
Just like using the square proportion and golden section,
begin by creating a set of guides using the rule of thirds.
The layout is divided into three parts,
either vertically, horizontally, or both.
Add your content and get to work
rearranging the elements within this structure.
If you like a solution, save it,
but keep exploring.
You might land on something unexpected.
Elements are placed within these spaces.
Focal points are placed where the lines intersect.
Once the basic structure is in place,
I can begin working with details,
such as typography, color, and pattern.
Make sure to print the layouts out
and look at them together.
It's tempting to only look at it on the screen,
but the successful layout will be much clearer
in printed form.
Here is the part when the rule of thirds falls apart.
A designer does all the hard work, creating the guides,
exploring variations, and printing them out.
But then he or she decides the middle looks empty
and shoves everything there.
We're right back to the dull, even layout
or donut layout.
Resist the donut,
or as I call it, the do not.
Like any proportional system,
the rule of thirds is only a guide, it's not a law.
There is no design police force
looking for designers who don't use it religiously.
In the end, you need to decide
what works best optically on the page.