Visual techniques

It sets the mood before you read any words.

Danger, urgency or heat — it grabs attention.

Loneliness, sadness or cold — an isolating mood.

How the frame is arranged — what's centred, foreground vs background, and empty space.

Grabs your eye first — it's the most important thing.

Makes a lone figure look isolated and small.

The foreground is what's up close and noticed first; the background sits behind it.

Name the colour + the mood or feeling it builds.

Say what's centred or in empty space + what it makes you look at.

Naming a colour or shape with no effect on the reader.

How the space is organised — what goes where in the frame.

The style and size of the fonts used.

What your eye sees first, second, third.

Shouting or a serious warning.

Warm and human, like a personal note.

The biggest, boldest thing is read first; small print is read last.

A big image on top with the words underneath.

Name the font style + the feeling it gives.

Say what your eye lands on first + why it's ranked that way.

Naming a big font or a layout with no effect on the reader.

Makes a figure loom and seem powerful.

Makes a figure look small and vulnerable.

A tight shot that fills the frame — good for emotion.

Puts a figure in a big space — can feel small or alone.

How close or wide a shot is, and what's kept in or cut out.

Where the subject looks in the image.

Looks straight at you — feels personal, like direct address.

Lets you watch the subject unseen — can feel lonely or thoughtful.

Name the angle (low/high) + what it makes you feel about the subject.

Naming an angle or a look with no effect on the reader.