3 Types Of Rhythm You Can Create
Visually
As soon as you place more than one element on the page you create a
pattern and pattern is the seed of rhythm. Whether or not you plan for it, your
design will have rhythm running through it. Rhythm activates
space. Rhythm creates mood. Rhythm can lead visitors through
your design.
Rhythm is one of the essential principles we
have to work with. It’s a word you know, but perhaps one you don’t associate
with design. What is rhythm in the context of visual elements and how do we
create it?
What is Rhythm?
Rhythm is
a regular and repeated pattern, usually of sound or movement. When you think
rhythm music is probably the first thing that comes to mind. In music, rhythm
is created by alternating sound and non-sound over time. When notes and chords
are played in predictable intervals we get rhythm.
How do we
define rhythm visually? As a design principle we can say rhythm is the
patterned repetition of elements in space. We place elements on the page and
experience the intervals between them. Time enters as our eye moves from one
element to the next and through this rhythm in space and time we can create a
sense of organized movement similar to a musical beat.
There are a variety of places where
you can find rhythm.
music — patterns of sound over timed
intervals
dance — patterns of movement and gesture
through physical space
speech — patterns of cadence in spoken words
writing — patterns of cadence written words
painting — patterns of brush stroke, color,
shape, on a canvas
Notice the
repetition of the word “patterns” in the list above. Pattern is essential to
rhythm. So is repetition. The list above creates a rhythm though repetition.
Visually each list item begins with a bullet. The bullet is then followed by a
single bolded word, an mdash, and the words “patterns of.” Were I to add
another item to the list you would expect it to follow the same predictable
pattern.
Notice
too, the slight variations created with the length of each line and by the
links in a couple of the list items. These variations help break the monotony
and add surprise and interest to the rhythm.
3 Types of Rhythm
In design
we alternate the positive element with negative space to create patterns, which
we then repeat and vary to create rhythm. We create rhythm through:
repetition
which creates patterns through predictability
alternation
which creates patterns through contrasting pairs (thick/thin, dark/light)
gradation
which creates patterns through a progression of regular steps
We’re
creating rhythm almost immediately after we begin designing. it’s inevitable
once multiple elements appear on the screen. We’d like that rhythm to be a
little more planned instead of placing elements randomly though. There are 3
primary types of rhythm you can plan for.
1.Regular rhythm
2.Flowing rhythm
3.Progressive rhythm
Regular rhythm — occurs when the intervals between elements,
or the elements themselves, are similar in size or length. Regular rhythm
repeats the elements over a predictable interval. Typically both interval and
elements are consistent, though one or the other can be varied. The sameness of
a regular rhythm creates a less interesting (though not necessarily boring)
rhythm.
The
regular placement of the same element is usually in a linear path. You can
repeat color, shape, pattern or another characteristic of the element over a
regular interval. To add more interest you can vary the interval (the space),
which changes the pace of the rhythm.
You can
also vary the characteristics of the element. You can keep size and shape
constant while varying color or keep color and shape consistent while varying
size. This variation adds some complexity, but also interest to the rhythm.
Flowing rhythm — occurs when the elements or
interval are organic. The organic and natural patterns are used to create a
feeling of movement. The elements could be organic over each interval or the
interval itself could be organic.
Typically
the element is unique, though similar, over each interval. A good example are
the stripes on a tiger or zebra. No stripe is quite like the next. Seen
together they create a rhythm of natural movement.
Progressive rhythm — occurs when a sequence of forms or
shapes is shown through a progression of steps. Here the elements repeat over
an interval, but with more variation, usually in progressive steps.
Size,
shape or color of the element might have stepped changes over each interval or
the interval itself might vary. The steps should be progressive. The
characteristics of the element should gradually increase or decrease creating a
sense of direction over the sequence. The variation leads to more interest and visual
tension and tends to direct the eye along the progression.
A color
gradient is an example of a progressive rhythm. Gradually decreasing the size
of an element as it recedes into the background is another. The latter creates
linear perspective directing your eye to a vanishing point.
As a
general rule you can add interest to rhythmic patterns by adding emphasis or
contrast that interrupt the pattern at times. This could be a contrasting shape
or color or drastically changing the size of one element.
Emphasis
through contrast sets the element apart from the pattern and momentarily breaks
the rhythm. It can be used to control how the eye flows through the rhythm.
More emphasis on a single element makes the eye pause on it before continuing.
Too much contrast of this kind can lead to discordance and chaos.
Repetition
can also be used to create emphasis through sheer numbers. A lot of local
repetition calls attention to the group of elements being repeated.
Summary
Whether
you plan for it or not, as soon as you place multiple elements on the page your
design will exhibit patterns and rhythm. Human beings seek patterns and will
naturally see them in your work. We find regular and predictable patterns
soothing.
We create
rhythm in our designs by repeating and varying patterns over space. A good
visual rhythm will lead the eye through a design. The predictability of the
rhythm leads to anticipation, which directs visitors to follow.
Variation
adds interest to rhythm. It avoids monotony and offers the occasional surprise.
The most effective rhythms will provide some unexpected variations.
I’ve
talked here about rhythm in more theoretical and abstract terms. I want to pick
up the topic again next week talking a little more about the practical side of
adding rhythm to our designs.
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