The Big Li’l Book of Contrast

The Big Li’l Book of Contrast visualizes huge concepts in a small package. This book is a reference for a variety of contrasts found in visual art. 

Each type of contrast is explained visually. The type of the contrast is written out in text over a colored ground. The two combined display the contrast. Many display multiple contrasts at once. 

I was inspired to create this book during one of my classes. I had told a student in a group critique to jump up the contrast a bit. The student gave me the deer in the headlights look as did the rest of the class. My words required further clarification. On the way home I saw the unfortunate but common hand painted yard sale sign that used the lightest brightest fluorescent yellow paint on a bright white piece of foam core. I could barely make out what it said as drove by at a mere 25 mph. The Big Li'l Book of Contrast was born that instant in my mind. 

The types of contrasts that I have visualized include:

light dark

hue

complementary color

warm cool

saturation

I included other forms of contrast in the second section depicted as black text on a white ground. 

scale

shape

old/new 

soft/sharp

position

space

spacing

out of place

These contrasts can be further complicated by adding color.

The images within will provide some level of clarity for design problems. Further, the pages may inspire something you have not considered.