Variety



=VARIETY=

Definition
Variety is a principle of design that refers to a way of combining visual elements to achieve intricate and complex relationships. It is a technique used by artists who wish to increase the visual interest of their work. Artwork that makes use of many different hues, values, lines, textures, and shapes reflects variety. Keeping the same size while changing the color can also show variety.

Although varying the components of a design can create visual interest and avoid monotony, design elements must also convey a sense of cohesion. It is important to maintain cohesion or the design will look like a mess of mismatched images thrown together. Still, visual design without //any// variation is boring.

Size
Variety is created when elements are changed. Repeating a similar shape while changing the size can also provide variety:


 * [[image:50.jpg]] || [[image:70.jpg]] || [[image:75.jpg]] ||

Color
Varying color choices also results in a unique visual presentation. In the ad image below for Apple's iPod Nano, the image displays the various colors that the device is offered in according to the order that the colors appear in the visual color spectrum. This gives it a pleasant, rainbow-like effect.


 * [[image:ipodnano_hero20080909.jpg width="956" height="365" link="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftTaWwtbvgM"]] ||

Size
In visual composition, there are many ways of changing something while simultaneously keeping the content the same. Here is an example of size variety:


 * [[image:macbook20081014small.jpg width="419" height="382"]] || [[image:macbookpro20081014medium.jpg width="424" height="389"]] ||

Shape
Different shapes, when lined up next to one another, also highlight design variety:

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Presentation
Here are some template designs that show variety in presentation formats. Presentation format should be appropriate to the audience. The first template on the left is a widescreen template. It is used to present charts and graphs. These templates are posted on the Microsoft product site. = =
 * [[image:Template_Variety2.jpg width="960" height="267"]] ||

Tools
Design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite can be useful in manipulating images to create variety. Their website provides an example of how variety can be used. ==

Resources:
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