Contrast

The goal is to identify where contrast is used, its levels, and how to use it within art and design. 

The principle of contrast refers to using different visual elements, such as colour, shape, texture, size, or value, to create visual interest and distinguish one element from another. For example, contrast can emphasise certain elements, create a focal point, or organise information in a hierarchy.

Contrast can be achieved in many ways, such as using opposite colours on the colour wheel, combining different shapes or textures, or varying the size or value of elements. For example, using large and small fonts or light and dark colours can contrast text and background. For example, combining geometric and organic shapes can create contrast between different design elements.

Contrast is an essential design principle because it helps create visual interest and impact, draw the viewer's attention to critical elements, and effectively communicate important information. When used effectively, contrast can make a design more dynamic and engaging and help convey a message or story more effectively.

How do we create contrast? 
Contrast can be created using the following methods:

Colour and tone
Designers and artists often use colour to create contrast. A simple example of this is if you were to use black and white effectively within your design or adjust the Hue and saturation of a colour.

Another way in which designers choose to create more in-depth contrast is by using a colour wheel or chart. Using a colour wheel can be effective for selecting contrasting colours, warm versus cold and complementary colours.

Fonts (Using font hierarchy) 
When using fonts, effective designs usually feature one font with different weights or two strong fonts for more excellent contrast, increasing the readability. When done correctly, you can achieve an effective font hierarchy by dividing what is most and least important. If all the type on your page were large and in bold letters, it would be hard to understand which part of the text is more important

Thick and thin lines
Using thick and thin lines can increase legibility within a design, whether it's light or bold lettering or thin or thick lines on an outlined inked drawing.

Shape and size
Making things larger than other elements can be used to create contrast. If something is more prominent than something else, it’s obvious you will look at the bigger one. But if you add a brighter, more noticeable colour to the smaller one. It immediately stands out over the big one.

Position
It's easy to spot contrast when two elements are adjacent to each other. Placing them closer or further apart from each further increases and decreases contrast.

THE WHY
So why does contrast even matter you ask? If you have ever heard your client or creative director say to you. ‘We need the design to pop pop a bit more, they are talking about contrast. When elements in a design don't contrast, they tend to blend together. Increasing the contrast can be the difference between keeping your users or audience engaged. Or not paying attention.

Another reason is ‘accessibility’. Accessibility in the art sense is the quality of being easily understood or appreciated. In design, these apply too, but the ease of use also applies when explicitly talking about web or app design.