Unleashing the Design Power of the Rule of Thirds
Anyone who’s taken a formal art class at some point learned the Rule of Thirds—a timeless principle that has guided artists and designers for centuries. Instructors usually recommend embracing this rule to achieve “harmony” or “visual impact” in your design project.
I recommend it because in the words of the celebrated watercolor artist, and my friend, Margaret Godfrey: “Symmetry is boring.”
“Strategically placing essential elements at the intersection points or along the gridlines draws attention and invites the eye to focus.”
A Blueprint for Visual Interest
At the most basic level, the Rule of Thirds is achieved by dividing an image into a grid of nine equal parts, creating four intersection points. This technique guides the placement of key elements to achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition.
But why is it pleasing?
For one thing, the invisible lines act as a visual compass. By avoiding a centered composition, it introduces a dynamic quality that engages the viewer.
For another, the intersections offer anchor points for the elements, which is incredibly useful for designers who want to make sure their spacing offers (okay, I’ll say it) a harmonious visual experience.
Strategically placing essential elements at the intersection points or along the gridlines draws attention and invites the eye to focus. This is psychologically relaxing because ensures that the viewer's eyes naturally gravitate towards the most critical aspects of your design.
Creating a Dynamic Visual Journey
In addition to providing clarity on what to focus on first, the Rule of Thirds facilitates a natural flow that encourages the viewer to take a journey through the design. By leading them from one significant element to the next, the experience of exploring the composition feels organic and pleasing rather than scattered and confusing.
Now, I’m not saying you’ll never want to cultivate that “I don’t know what to look at first!” vibe in a project. There may be an artistic reason to do that. But when it comes to nonprofit design, 99 percent of the time, you want to reduce any ambiguity or confusion. You have only a few seconds (if you’re lucky) to get your message across, so use every composition trick you have to make sure those seconds aren’t wasted. The Rule of Thirds is one of the most effective.
“The Rule of Thirds is the ultimate design hack. You can reach for it when designing for any medium.”
A Timeless Technique for Modern Designs
Just understanding the Rule of Thirds is a start, but it also helps to practice using it. Once you get it, you’ll begin to notice the innumerable ways it benefits you as a designer. Here are just a few.
1. It Supports Responsive Design
In an era of diverse screen sizes, the Rule of Thirds adapts seamlessly to responsive design principles. Whether on a large desktop screen or a compact mobile device, this rule ensures that your design breaks through the noise, whether someone is viewing it on their brand-new iPhone or their sticky, half-dead laptop (no judgment!).
2. It Offers Versatility Across Mediums
The Rule of Thirds is the ultimate design hack. You can reach for it when designing for any medium, from websites to social media graphics to print materials to billboards. Its adaptability means you can create visuals—quickly—in different contexts without having to play around endlessly with compositions. (Nobody has time for that, especially not nonprofit designers!)
3. It Encourages Creative Experimentation
This might sound counterintuitive since it‘s so deeply rooted in tradition, but by serving as a strong foundation, I find that the Rule of Thirds actually allows me to innovate. (Remember, symmetry is boring!)
There’s no limit to what you can “hang” on those gridlines and intersection points or how you can use them to map your visual journey. Once you have developed the skill of using the Rule of Thirds (and it is a skill), you can imbue it with your own contemporary flair.
Russell Estes is the co-founder, principal, and creative director for Square Lightning. Artwork by Cierra Brinson.
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