Did you know that lines communicate emotional states? We think they’re just lines. We’re not even conscious of it, but by nature, humans get certain feelings from different types of lines.
Combining Horizontals With Verticals
In architecture, we combine horizontal beams with vertical ones to construct houses and buildings. The more beams we connect, the more stable will be our structure and the less likely gravity will pull it all down.
It’s fascinating to learn that humans project this natural understanding in art. When we see a horizontal line combined with a vertical one, we get a sense of stability, reliability, and safety. It’s unconscious. But it’s there.
Not only does this concept work to “anchor” your elements to your page, it can also communicate a sense of stability as part of the story of your layout.
The Story Of My Layout
The photo you see above is of my mother and father-in-law. This is my favorite picture of them and I wanted to use it to create a layout that expresses how much I appreciate who they are in my life; what amazing grandparents they are to my children; how wonderful I feel to see them so happy together.
When you consider that my in-laws are a pillar in my family life, doesn’t it make sense to design a layout that expresses that solidarity and stability?
Design That Communicates Stability
On my layout, the dominant horizontal line of patterned papers contains the photo and the title. The softer vertical line of curvy brackets seems to hold it in place. Putting the brackets in pairs like I did not only creates a linear design element, but also gives some spots for journaling.
Increase Your Vocabulary
The vertical/horizontal line combination is more vocabulary for your visual language; an additional way to tell your story.
Do you have to make conscious decisions like this while you are putting together your layouts? Not if it conflicts with your creative nature. Many times design principles come naturally because they are a part of human nature.
The key to making that happen is to think about the message and tone you want to communicate before you start your page. When you do that, the visual language we call Design will very often flow on its own.
