Proportion

This indicates the relative visual size and weight of particular graphical elements in a design composition.

Proportion in art is the ratio between two or more elements in a composition, mostly with respect to size. This ratio is said to be harmonious when a correct or desirable ratio creates good proportion.

Learn about the Golden Ratio here.

When the principle of proportion is applied to a composition it is usually to the relationship of size:

Height, width and depth of one element to that of another.
Size of one area to the size of another area.
Size of one element to the size of another element.
Amount of space between two or more elements.

Proportion is usually not even noticed until something is out of proportion. When the relative size of two elements being compared seems wrong, or out of balance, it is said to be "out of proportion". For example, if a person has a head larger than their entire body, then we would say that they were out of proportion.

In the "Bad Proportion" examples on the right of the illustration above, the top row, which uses equal division of the shapes, creates monotony, and in the bottom row, the very unequal division creates a lack of harmony.

There are times when proportion is exaggerated to convey a message (see the examples below.) It is impossible to hold the world in your hand yet this composition does exactly that. White out can be used to cover all sorts of things but it is unlikely you would paint crosswalks with it.

When it comes to photography and cinematography, keep in mind that the distance and angle of the camera shot can also play with our sense of proportion, making what's on screen seem much larger (making the viewer feel small and intimidated by the object/character's size and power) or much smaller (making the viewer feel larger, more powerful, or perhaps smarter and more morally upright than the object or character).

Rules for "Good" Proportion

Place together elements which are similar in character or have some feature in common.
Create major and minor areas in the design since equal parts can quickly become monotonous and boring. However, the differences in size must not be so great as to make the parts appear unrelated and therefore out of harmony with each other.
The arrangement of space should be in such a way that the eye does not perceive a standard mathematical relationship. Dividing up the composition in halves, quarters and thirds should be avoided. A subtle relationship creates a more dynamic design.
Create harmony in the composition. Harmony is an agreement between the shapes that stresses the similarities of all parts. In other words, the shape of one part should "fit" the shape of the adjoining elements. Shapes should "fit" properly in their positions and spaces.

TEST YOURSELF

Take the Proportion Quiz to test your knowledge. You will receive an email with your results. You may take the quiz as many times as you wish.

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