Detail
A relatively small area of sparkle or visual activity surrounded by
a large non-competitive mass.
9 Step Value Scale
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9
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8
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7
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6
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5
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4
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3
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2
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1
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DARKS
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MIDS
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LIGHTS
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Studies in psychology show that the average person can readily distinguish
9 levels of value between Black and White. This separation of values
is generally called
the gray scale and is often broken down into three sub-sections: Darks,
Mids, and Lights.
These sub-sections are in turn represented by one of their values (ofttimes
called The Big Three): Value 9 (Black), Value 5 (Battleship Gray) and
Value 1 (White.)
With the three previously mentioned values/sub-sections in mind, we can break down any design into useful proportions of value. Since we have three values as well as three general sizes (Large, Medium and Small) we will break down the proportions in that manner. Remembering that something must always be dominant in a design, the first proportion is the largest and will consist of 50% of the whole. The second (Medium) and third (Small) proportions are supportive values and come in respectively at 35%, and 15%. Now don't fixate on these numbers, they are not hard fast rules and any time you have a legitimate reason to break them go right ahead and do so, but for now they are a guide to help you proportion out your work as you learn.
These Large, Medium and Small proportions are sometimes referred to
as
Daddy, Mommy, Baby or by their percentages 50, 35, 15. Any method of
differentiating them works, so use whichever makes the most sense to
you.
In any given design the proportions are important, though they apply to more than just the values in the design. Use them to proportion your lines between horizontal, vertical and obliques, or to separate your simple from your beautiful and your ugliness, or perhaps it will be shapes you need to balance, say the bouncing balls, the floor tiles and the window panes. Whatever the need of the design, don't limit yourself to one quick answer. Spend time with your design, try out several ideas before you assume you have the best one already.