From the course: Graphic Design Foundations: Layout and Composition

How cropping images impact layout

From the course: Graphic Design Foundations: Layout and Composition

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How cropping images impact layout

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- So far we've covered most of the formal issues in layout. Now that you've learned about those, it's time to tackle the more complicated ideas. Images are a designer's most impactful tool. They are universal, require a little explanation and like the saying goes, one image is worth 1,000 words. Before we delve too deeply into images and meaning, it's important to know how to use them. The first step with any image is knowing how and when to crop it. And yes, unless you are working with a violet piece of art, it's okay to crop an image. You're the designer, you make the rules. Let's start with a nitty gritty rules. First, never crop a person at a joint. This tends to make someone look like they lost a limb. I find it best to crop an image of someone mid limb. This way we know there's actually more of the arm or leg there. That includes the neck. If you lose the shoulders, the subjects look as if they lost their heads during the French Revolution. Crop in between joints to create a comfortable not disturbing feeling. Next, focus on the subject. Is there a dog in the foreground that doesn't add to the message? I love dogs and that one's mine but he's taking attention from the architecture. Every element is a distraction from the main focus. Zoom in and crop these out. And look at all the edges. This is a good trick photographers use. Look at each corner in the frame. Is there an element that doesn't need to be there? Is there a garbage can in the corner or the edge of a tree trunk? Do you need all the foreground here? Crop them out. Focus on the subject. Okay, now let's look at the way a crop can change the message. This book cover uses an image from a Victorian circus poster. In this form, it looks like a book about circus life but the tight crop into one detail of a larger image creates the idea of tight rope and balance. This book is about life out of balance. Great cropping adds to the story a message by focusing our attention on the only parts of an image that communicate. A great crop can create mystery and romance, making the viewer feel more intimate with a subject or rather than showing the entire hands and arm, zoom into an image to highlight the green peas. This creates a center focal point and points to the title. Sometimes the most awkward can aid the communication. Crops selfies give us a fresh take on images that are often not professionally created. This result is light, fun and compelling. The biggest hurdle most designers face with images and cropping is fear. Is it okay to crop someone's image? Absolutely, it's your layout. If it doesn't work, nobody is going to blame the photographer. The page is your world, you are the boss. Do what needs to be done to create something strong and powerful.

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