Design with a Purpose

Design is created in a purposeful way. A designer generally, if not always, has a reason he or she is using the elements found in design. When a designer is in the thinking process of the creation, one of the questions they ask is, “What is the type of audience will be viewing my work?” The designer also needs to think about how they are going to please that audience with their design.

One way a design will catch the viewer’s attention is through a focal point. A focal point is the section of the design that stands out the most. This element can be achieved by utilizing color, size, and balance.

For example when you view the photo below, your eyes are clearly directed to the middle of the circle, right where the train tracks get to the point where you can no longer see it.



By Christy Bindas
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/574379846_e79e059d3c.jpg

Another way to catch the viewer’s attention is through balance. The photo above achieves balance because of its horizontal axis. This axis separates the sky from the railroad.

The rusted nut that is being held up also grabs our attention. This object allows the photo to have balance. It is positive space that allows us to focus on the negative space, which draws our eye to the focal point.

Therefore, this photo wasn’t just taken without purpose. The artist clearly thought about all the elements that would capture a viewer’s attention.

In fact all railroad tracks we encounter will have a focal point and balance. Therefore, deign in our society also achieves to grab our attention.