2. The Rule Of Thirds
The rule of thirds is the way a page or photo is laid out. This is
where components of a page are laid out so the reader sees
components first or look at them for longer. The theory is that
a page can be divided into nine squares. Each square has a role
to play in how the reader sees the page. This rule makes the
readers eyes take a certain path across the page and makes the
reader look at certain bits of the page longer than other bits.
The rule is used mainly on magazine contents pages and
sometimes in a magazine double page spread.
3. The Rule Of Thirds: Vertical Thirds
This is the where the page are divided into thirds
vertically. Many critics and general readers consider
this to be the best way to set out a page to make it
more aesthetically pleasing for the reader. Using the
rule of thirds in this way makes the readers eyes go
from left to right across the page. This feels natural
to the reader because that’s the way we read text.
Also when using this method in a contents page and
a double page spread means that two of the thirds
can be taken up by the main image. This means the
reader looks at the main image for longer. Usually
on a double page spread the image is on the left so
that the first two thirds they look at will be the main
image and then to the text.
4. The Rule Of Thirds: Horizontal Thirds
This is where the page is split into thirds
horizontally. This is considered the unconventional
way to layout a page. This way the readers eyes
travel from top to bottom down the page. Some
magazines will use this on their contents pages so
the first thing the reader sees is the title or the logo.
It cans sometimes be seen on a double page spread
as well, the main image would fill the top and
middle third and then the article text would be in the
bottom third.
