Visual Harmony

course:

Typography II

subject:

Island

professor:

Andrea Emery

time used:

5

hours

tools used:

Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign

objective:

Combine image and typography into a unified magazine spread. Emphasize overlap, hierarchy, and balance, creating visual harmony without separating or weakening either element.

Image Selection

I began by organizing all the images provided by the professor. Using visual intuition and balance, I compared tone, composition, and mood. After careful review, I selected 5 images with the most potential for expressive development.

Grid Sketch Development

I sketched layout concepts using a 3-column grid, focusing on how text could interact with key visual elements from 5 selected images. Each sketch tested different object placements, text alignment, and compositional tension to achieve visual balance while maintaining clarity in content delivery.

Mockups and Testing

I developed 4 layout options in Illustrator based on the thumbnails. Using the grid as structure, I experimented with type size, hierarchy, and spatial tension. Color choices for heading and body text were carefully adjusted to enhance legibility and ensure harmonious contrast with each background image.

Final Layout

I finalized the layout using the “Island” photo. The calm, spacious scenery inspired a relaxed tone, so I selected “Snell Roundhand” for its gentle flow. I aligned the headline to follow the mountain’s slope and matched the type color with the sky. The main challenge was maintaining both harmony and sufficient contrast across the composition.