Dominant Elements

STEP 1 – LEARN & PRACTICE• View the presentation to learn how

dominant elements anchor a spread, lending importance to one visual element

• Compare dominant elements that work and ones that don’t and complete the exit ticket for the lesson

.DOMINANT ELEMENTS• Dominant elements are used to visually link two pages,

usually by crossing the page gutter.

• Dominant elements, usually one photo or a grouping of photos, are the largest elements on the spread and are 2-3 times larger than the other elements.

• Also can be called ‘emphasis’, Center of Visual Interest (CVI) or focal point, and can also be achieved by color, weight, shape.

.HIERARCHY• Good design leads readers around the spread, guiding

which item to look at first, which second, and so on, establishing visual hierarchy.

• Dominant images/packages act as a focal point of the spread and should be the first item placed, creating hierarchy as the spread evolves.

Wakeland High School [TX]

What would you say is the dominant element on this page?

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What would you say is the dominant element on this page?

Wakeland High School [TX]

Wakeland High School [TX]

What would you say is the dominant element on this page?

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What would you say is the dominant element on this page?

Decatur High School [TX]

Decatur High School [TX]

What would you say is the dominant element on this page?

PHOTO PLACEMENT• Vary photo sizes & shapes, vertical & horizontal.

• Photos across the page gutter increase a unified look, BUT be careful to avoid placement of eyes, nose or mouth in gutter.

• Photo placement is important whether across the gutter or not. Think hierarchy.

DOMINANCE DOs• DO have a dominant image/package on all spreads – it pulls

readers into the design.

• DO strategically place the CVI (Center of Visual Interest) near the center to direct the eye around the spread.

• DO keep in mind the dominant image/package should touch the eyeline.

DOMINANCE DONE RIGHT

Dos Pueblos High School [CA]

Dominant element is 2-3 times larger than the next largest element on the page.

DOMINANCE DONE RIGHT

Loudon Valley [VA]

Page gutter

DOMINANCE DONE RIGHT

Starrs Mill [GA]

Eyeline

DOMINANCE DONE RIGHT

Westlake High School [TX]

STEP 2 – DO• Use your knowledge and the previous

examples to create or revise yearbook spreads with an emphasis on strong dominant images