Craft Infectious EDM Beats

Craft Pivotal Story Beats

Curate Energetic DJ Sets

Elevate Your Stage Presence as a DJ

Excel in Advanced Jazz Rhythms

Make Seamless DJ Transitions

Music

Lessons from Influential Black Voices

Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love

Teaches Singing

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera Teaches Singing

Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar

Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar

A Documentary by Bess Kargman

Diane Warren: Relentless

Teaches Music for Film

Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman Teaches Music for Film

Teaches Songwriting

John Legend

John Legend Teaches Songwriting

Teaches Poetic Thinking

Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo Teaches Poetic Thinking

Teaches the Voice as an Instrument

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey Teaches the Voice as an Instrument

Teaches The Art of Performance

Usher

Teaches The Art Of Performance

Usher Teaches The Art of Performance

Teaches Filmmaking

Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Producing and Beatmaking

Timbaland

Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking

Teaches Violin

Itzhak Perlman

Itzhak Perlman Teaches Violin

Teaches Creativity and Songwriting

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Teaches Creativity and Songwriting

Teaches Jazz

Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock Teaches Jazz

Teaches Country Music

Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire Teaches Country Music

Teaches Being a Band

Metallica

Metallica Teaches Being a Band

Teaches Dance Music

Armin van Buuren

Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music

Teaches Hip-Hop Storytelling

Nas Teaches Hip-Hop Storytelling

Teaches Electronic Music Production

deadmau5

deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production

Teaches Electric Guitar

Tom Morello

Tom Morello Teaches Electric Guitar

Teaches Film Scoring

Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring

Teaches ʻUkulele

Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro Teaches ʻUkulele

Teaches Philosophy

Cornel West

Cornel West Teaches Philosophy

Teaches Music and Connection

Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma Teaches Music and Connection

Teaches Drumming & Creative Collaboration

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr Teaches Drumming & Creative Collaboration

Teaches Drumming and Percussion 

Sheila E.

Sheila E. Teaches Drumming and Percussion 

Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Parris Goebel

Parris Goebel Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Teaches Music Curation and DJing

Questlove

Questlove Teaches Music Curation and DJing

Teaches Songwriting and Producing

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys Teaches Songwriting and Producing

Painter Devon Rodriguez grew up in the South Bronx in New York City and first became interested in art as a child. Now known for his portraits of everyday people—particularly NYC subway commuters—Devon is one of the most popular visual artists on TikTok. Devon’s self-marketing efforts on social media have garnered him more than twenty-seven million TikTok followers and landed him on the Forbes “30 Under 30” list for social media.
Marketing is a key component of pursuing a career as an artist. To market yourself as an artist means to “open up your art to a wider audience,” according to Devon. Consider these art marketing ideas:

1. __Attend gallery openings__. Market yourself in person by going to art shows and art fairs to meet gallery owners, curators, art lovers, and art world professionals. You can also meet potential clients and customers at events. It can be helpful to have business cards listing your website and contact information for networking opportunities.
2. __Build an online portfolio__. It is essential to have an artist website with an [artist statement](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-artist-bio), images of your work, pricing for your artwork, and perhaps an e-commerce store for your work. [Email marketing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/email-marketing-explained) is another way to share information about your work with potential customers. You can have a sign-up option on your website and add contacts you receive from in-person meetings.
3. __Post on social media__. Through social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, you can create a robust online presence and expose your work to a vast audience, building a pool of potential customers.
Devon Rodriguez has a strong social media presence. Learn how to build your personal brand and market yourself with this social media marketing strategy:

1. __Create a good hook__. Find a way to immediately grab attention with your videos. The opportunity to hook the audience is very fast, “It's usually only three seconds,” he says. When posting videos of drawing strangers on the subway, Devon uses this hook: He starts with a shot of the person sitting down, then overlays the text, “Wait for the reaction” at the two-second mark to engage the audience.
2. __Do your research__. Studying viral videos from professional artists can help you create your own art content. Use popular art world hashtags, such as #artistsoninstagram or #artistsoftiktok, to find viral art videos. “Try to analyze why it went viral or how it was edited,” Devon says. “And try to copy it second-by-second, but insert your own artwork into it. Always try to keep stuff fast-paced, because it has to be entertaining.”
3. __Entertain the viewers__. Social media apps prioritize content that keeps people’s attention to drive ad revenue to make money. “One of the most important things to video on social media is having a good hook and keeping the viewer entertained throughout the video,” Devon says. “You have to find a way to keep people on the app while marketing yourself. [The apps] end up pushing your artwork for their own reasons—you could take advantage of that.”
4. __Keep it short__. “You need to learn how to edit video and have short form videos on social media in order to make it,” he adds. He’s found the optimal watch time for his videos is nine seconds. After he hooks the viewer at the two-second mark, he’ll present the finished product nine seconds later, at the twelve-second mark. “Most short-form content is, like, zero to twenty seconds,” he says. “Getting twelve seconds guaranteed watch time is a magic formula.”
5. __Plan a content schedule__. You want to create a robust online presence, so you should post on your social media account regularly, but not more than twice a day. “Two times a day annoys people and they end up unfollowing,” Devon says. “If you have a good quality post and a good quality formula, then you could post less.” 
If you want to learn to capture portraits on paper and canvas, start by building a toolkit of materials. Discover TikTok sensation Devon Rodriguez’s approach to drawing and painting realistic portraits, marketing yourself as an artist, [varnishing an oil painting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-varnish-an-oil-painting), and more when you sign up for the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/homepage).
To be a successful artist, you must learn how to share your work. Learn tips for marketing yourself as an artist from portrait artist Devon Rodriguez.

To be a successful artist, you must learn how to share your work. Learn tips for marketing yourself as an artist from portrait artist Devon Rodriguez.

Devon Rodriguez’s Tips for Marketing Yourself as an Artist

Painter Devon Rodriguez grew up in the South Bronx in New York City and first became interested in art as a child. Now known for his portraits of everyday people—particularly NYC subway commuters—Devon is one of the most popular visual artists on TikTok. Devon’s self-marketing efforts on social media have garnered him more than twenty-seven million TikTok followers and landed him on the Forbes “30 Under 30” list for social media.

Who Is Devon Rodriguez?

Marketing is a key component of pursuing a career as an artist. To market yourself as an artist means to “open up your art to a wider audience,” according to Devon. Consider these art marketing ideas:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Attend gallery openings. Market yourself in person by going to art shows and art fairs to meet gallery owners, curators, art lovers, and art world professionals. You can also meet potential clients and customers at events. It can be helpful to have business cards listing your website and contact information for networking opportunities. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Build an online portfolio. It is essential to have an artist website with an <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-artist-bio' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-artist-bio","linkCopy":"artist statement","category":null}'>artist statement</a>, images of your work, pricing for your artwork, and perhaps an e-commerce store for your work. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/email-marketing-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/email-marketing-explained","linkCopy":"Email marketing","category":null}'>Email marketing</a> is another way to share information about your work with potential customers. You can have a sign-up option on your website and add contacts you receive from in-person meetings. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Post on social media. Through social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, you can create a robust online presence and expose your work to a vast audience, building a pool of potential customers. </li></ol>

How to Market Yourself as an Artist

Devon Rodriguez has a strong social media presence. Learn how to build your personal brand and market yourself with this social media marketing strategy:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Create a good hook. Find a way to immediately grab attention with your videos. The opportunity to hook the audience is very fast, “It&#39;s usually only three seconds,” he says. When posting videos of drawing strangers on the subway, Devon uses this hook: He starts with a shot of the person sitting down, then overlays the text, “Wait for the reaction” at the two-second mark to engage the audience. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Do your research. Studying viral videos from professional artists can help you create your own art content. Use popular art world hashtags, such as #artistsoninstagram or #artistsoftiktok, to find viral art videos. “Try to analyze why it went viral or how it was edited,” Devon says. “And try to copy it second-by-second, but insert your own artwork into it. Always try to keep stuff fast-paced, because it has to be entertaining.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Entertain the viewers. Social media apps prioritize content that keeps people’s attention to drive ad revenue to make money. “One of the most important things to video on social media is having a good hook and keeping the viewer entertained throughout the video,” Devon says. “You have to find a way to keep people on the app while marketing yourself. [The apps] end up pushing your artwork for their own reasons—you could take advantage of that.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Keep it short. “You need to learn how to edit video and have short form videos on social media in order to make it,” he adds. He’s found the optimal watch time for his videos is nine seconds. After he hooks the viewer at the two-second mark, he’ll present the finished product nine seconds later, at the twelve-second mark. “Most short-form content is, like, zero to twenty seconds,” he says. “Getting twelve seconds guaranteed watch time is a magic formula.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Plan a content schedule. You want to create a robust online presence, so you should post on your social media account regularly, but not more than twice a day. “Two times a day annoys people and they end up unfollowing,” Devon says. “If you have a good quality post and a good quality formula, then you could post less.” </li></ol>

Devon Rodriguez’s 5 Tips for Marketing Yourself 

If you want to learn to capture portraits on paper and canvas, start by building a toolkit of materials. Discover TikTok sensation Devon Rodriguez’s approach to drawing and painting realistic portraits, marketing yourself as an artist, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-varnish-an-oil-painting' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-varnish-an-oil-painting","linkCopy":"varnishing an oil painting","category":null}'>varnishing an oil painting</a>, and more when you sign up for the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/homepage' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/homepage","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>.

Build Your Artist Toolkit

To be a successful artist, you must learn how to share your work. Learn tips for marketing yourself as an artist from portrait artist Devon Rodriguez.

To be a successful artist, you must learn how to share your work. Learn tips for marketing yourself as an artist from portrait artist Devon Rodriguez.


marketing-yourself-as-an-artist

“Music lights up more parts of the brain than anything else,” Turry says. “Listening to music energizes, animates, activates us.”

This is partly the result of dopamine, a neurochemical the brain releases as a “reward.” It’s linked to behavior that promotes survival; when you eat or mate, you get a hit. Curiously, your brain will also dole out dopamine in response to more abstract, less primitive activities, like falling in love. Or listening to music.

Beats and melodies have other ways to alter your mental activity. For the duration of a song, you can enter into what some psychologists call “transient hypofrontality.” Areas of your brain that generate fears and anxieties become less active. Your inhibitions dissipate, leaving room for only the here and now—a state similar to those attained through meditation. And you’re not only engaged with what you’re hearing; you’re also captivated by the idea of what’s about to come.

“Our brains are great predicting machines, and when we’re listening to music, we’re not just listening to the notes,” says Turry. “We’re anticipating the next note.”
He adds that music can “bypass our defenses,” offering “a way to connect to things you’ve forgotten about.” Therein lies the efficacy of music therapy, stemming from a combination of mental hardwiring and socialization. Humans begin forging these connections in utero; they’re fostered throughout life by way of classroom sing-alongs, hymns at religious services, or chants at sporting events.

> “Listening to music energizes, animates, activates us.” —Alan Turry

Turry adds that large music events, like EDM festivals, can evoke an almost “oceanic communal feeling.” Neuroscientific data suggest that, when hearing live music in the presence of other humans, we experience a brain synchrony apparent in the delta range, which happens to be the area related to both enjoyment and a sense of oneness. This could help explain why a night at the club or a rollicking wedding reception provides a layer of bliss beyond spinning vinyl at home. 

Song sequencing can play a crucial role, too. “What’s important with DJs is timing the intensity,” Turry says. “You’re pacing just as you would in a music-therapy session: having a sense of the beginning of the session, building to a very intense moment, bringing the session down so that there’s a sense of ‘We’ve completed something together...’ ”

With a great playlist, the DJ isn’t simply hyping the crowd. They could actually be guiding your brain chemistry, using mental priming and reward functions, and forming a neurological bond between a group of listeners. So if you’re playing a set and start feeling the vibe, dedicate the next one to your brain—and keep spinning.
There’s a reason for that euphoria you feel when the right song comes on the radio, plays during a party, or booms inside a nightclub. Alan Turry, the director of New York University’s Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music, is here to explain the neurological effects and wide-ranging benefits of listening to a good track—its power to decrease anxiety, induce meditative states, form neural connections, and help you bond with others.

There’s a reason for that euphoria you feel when the right song comes on the radio, plays during a party, or booms inside a nightclub. Alan Turry, the director of New York University’s Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music, is here to explain the neurological effects and wide-ranging benefits of listening to a good track—its power to decrease anxiety, induce meditative states, form neural connections, and help you bond with others.

Why Does Music Make You Feel So Good? It’s All in Your Head

“Music lights up more parts of the brain than anything else,” Turry says. “Listening to music energizes, animates, activates us.”This is partly the result of dopamine, a neurochemical the brain releases as a “reward.” It’s linked to behavior that promotes survival; when you eat or mate, you get a hit. Curiously, your brain will also dole out dopamine in response to more abstract, less primitive activities, like falling in love. Or listening to music.Beats and melodies have other ways to alter your mental activity. For the duration of a song, you can enter into what some psychologists call “transient hypofrontality.” Areas of your brain that generate fears and anxieties become less active. Your inhibitions dissipate, leaving room for only the here and now—a state similar to those attained through meditation. And you’re not only engaged with what you’re hearing; you’re also captivated by the idea of what’s about to come.“Our brains are great predicting machines, and when we’re listening to music, we’re not just listening to the notes,” says Turry. “We’re anticipating the next note.”

He adds that music can “bypass our defenses,” offering “a way to connect to things you’ve forgotten about.” Therein lies the efficacy of music therapy, stemming from a combination of mental hardwiring and socialization. Humans begin forging these connections in utero; they’re fostered throughout life by way of classroom sing-alongs, hymns at religious services, or chants at sporting events.<blockquote class="mc-text--italic mc-opacity--hinted mc-my-8 mc-mr-0 mc-ml-6 mc-pl-6">“Listening to music energizes, animates, activates us.” —Alan Turry</blockquote>Turry adds that large music events, like EDM festivals, can evoke an almost “oceanic communal feeling.” Neuroscientific data suggest that, when hearing live music in the presence of other humans, we experience a brain synchrony apparent in the delta range, which happens to be the area related to both enjoyment and a sense of oneness. This could help explain why a night at the club or a rollicking wedding reception provides a layer of bliss beyond spinning vinyl at home. Song sequencing can play a crucial role, too. “What’s important with DJs is timing the intensity,” Turry says. “You’re pacing just as you would in a music-therapy session: having a sense of the beginning of the session, building to a very intense moment, bringing the session down so that there’s a sense of ‘We’ve completed something together...’ ”With a great playlist, the DJ isn’t simply hyping the crowd. They could actually be guiding your brain chemistry, using mental priming and reward functions, and forming a neurological bond between a group of listeners. So if you’re playing a set and start feeling the vibe, dedicate the next one to your brain—and keep spinning.

There’s a reason for that euphoria you feel when the right song comes on the radio, plays during a party, or booms inside a nightclub. Alan Turry, the director of New York University’s Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music, is here to explain the neurological effects and wide-ranging benefits of listening to a good track—its power to decrease anxiety, induce meditative states, form neural connections, and help you bond with others.

There’s a reason for that euphoria you feel when the right song comes on the radio, plays during a party, or booms inside a nightclub. Alan Turry, the director of New York University’s Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music, is here to explain the neurological effects and wide-ranging benefits of listening to a good track—its power to decrease anxiety, induce meditative states, form neural connections, and help you bond with others.


A collage, including a brain and two hands forming a heart shape, against a yellow background.

neurological-benefits-of-music

Creativity is the ability to conceive new or imaginative ideas and turn them into reality. All creative work emerges from two actions: thinking and producing. Thinking is activating your imagination, allowing your mind to forge new connections between ideas, and exploring problem-solving approaches to an idea. The second is producing, which is the hard work involved in bringing those creative thoughts to fruition. 

Creativity is a necessary skill for those in the arts, but it has application in other areas, too. For example, creativity is the foundation for many modern businesses and industries. Many industries and entrepreneurs value inner creativity, empathy, and understanding more highly than analytical thinking. Creative thinking helps businesses find new and inventive ways to stand out from their competition and add value to their goods and services.
Creative thinking is not limited to naturally creative people. Research shows creativity is less of a gift than it is a skill you can learn through regular practice. Regularly engaging the creative process can even [improve creativity](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-creativity) over time.
If you want to [be more creative](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/st-vincents-tips-for-honing-your-creativity), try dedicating time each day to:

- __Daydream__. Mind-wandering, or daydreaming, might feel like procrastinating, but it frees the mind to explore creative problems to its furthest limits. Researchers suggest setting aside time to daydream by reducing distractions, relaxing, and letting ideas flow for a set number of minutes.
- __Doodle__. Many creative geniuses, including Pablo Picasso and Steve Jobs, stimulated their creative juices by doodling—creating a simple drawing without much effort or attention. Doodling provides a subconscious workspace for the brain to explore new problems and create new ideas.
- __Exercise__. Brainstorming during thirty minutes of exercise often helps break down creative blocks and fuel new ideas. Research shows moderate exercise has a positive impact on both creativity and cognitive thinking. 
- __Freewrite__. Busy schedules can leave us feeling in a rut and unable to free up space in the brain for creative thoughts. To get started with [freewriting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/freewriting-prompts-to-help-break-your-writers-block), simply grab a piece of paper and let your words flow. The results might help you gain perspective and clarity. Many online sources provide daily [writing prompts](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-prompts) if you need ideas.
- __Play video games__. It might surprise you to learn video games help many young people develop their creativity and problem-solving skills. Research shows better social skills, improved concentration, motivation, and spatial skills are all linked to playing video games.
Grab the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and plumb the depths of your creativity with the help of modern artist Jeff Koons, abstract artist Futura, and stage designer Es Devlin. Our exclusive video lessons will teach you to do things like utilize color and scale, explore the beauty in everyday objects, and so much more.
Creativity is a skill everyone can learn. Discover new and unique ways to spark creative thoughts.

Creativity is a skill everyone can learn. Discover new and unique ways to spark creative thoughts.

How to Be Creative: Activities That Boost Creative Thinking

Creativity is the ability to conceive new or imaginative ideas and turn them into reality. All creative work emerges from two actions: thinking and producing. Thinking is activating your imagination, allowing your mind to forge new connections between ideas, and exploring problem-solving approaches to an idea. The second is producing, which is the hard work involved in bringing those creative thoughts to fruition. Creativity is a necessary skill for those in the arts, but it has application in other areas, too. For example, creativity is the foundation for many modern businesses and industries. Many industries and entrepreneurs value inner creativity, empathy, and understanding more highly than analytical thinking. Creative thinking helps businesses find new and inventive ways to stand out from their competition and add value to their goods and services.

What Is Creativity?

Creative thinking is not limited to naturally creative people. Research shows creativity is less of a gift than it is a skill you can learn through regular practice. Regularly engaging the creative process can even <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-creativity' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-creativity","linkCopy":"improve creativity","category":null}'>improve creativity</a> over time.

Can You Teach Yourself to Be Creative?

If you want to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/st-vincents-tips-for-honing-your-creativity' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/st-vincents-tips-for-honing-your-creativity","linkCopy":"be more creative","category":null}'>be more creative</a>, try dedicating time each day to:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Daydream. Mind-wandering, or daydreaming, might feel like procrastinating, but it frees the mind to explore creative problems to its furthest limits. Researchers suggest setting aside time to daydream by reducing distractions, relaxing, and letting ideas flow for a set number of minutes. </li><li class="">Doodle. Many creative geniuses, including Pablo Picasso and Steve Jobs, stimulated their creative juices by doodling—creating a simple drawing without much effort or attention. Doodling provides a subconscious workspace for the brain to explore new problems and create new ideas. </li><li class="">Exercise. Brainstorming during thirty minutes of exercise often helps break down creative blocks and fuel new ideas. Research shows moderate exercise has a positive impact on both creativity and cognitive thinking. </li><li class="">Freewrite. Busy schedules can leave us feeling in a rut and unable to free up space in the brain for creative thoughts. To get started with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/freewriting-prompts-to-help-break-your-writers-block' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/freewriting-prompts-to-help-break-your-writers-block","linkCopy":"freewriting","category":null}'>freewriting</a>, simply grab a piece of paper and let your words flow. The results might help you gain perspective and clarity. Many online sources provide daily <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-prompts' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-prompts","linkCopy":"writing prompts","category":null}'>writing prompts</a> if you need ideas. </li><li class="">Play video games. It might surprise you to learn video games help many young people develop their creativity and problem-solving skills. Research shows better social skills, improved concentration, motivation, and spatial skills are all linked to playing video games. </li></ul>

How to Be Creative

Grab the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and plumb the depths of your creativity with the help of modern artist Jeff Koons, abstract artist Futura, and stage designer Es Devlin. Our exclusive video lessons will teach you to do things like utilize color and scale, explore the beauty in everyday objects, and so much more.

Ready to Tap Into Your Artistic Abilities?

Creativity is a skill everyone can learn. Discover new and unique ways to spark creative thoughts.

Creativity is a skill everyone can learn. Discover new and unique ways to spark creative thoughts.


Top view of a woman with her right hand poised to begin drawing on a blank page of a sketchbook. 

how-to-be-creative

https://players.brightcove.net/5344802162001/1cMNiwC9oQ_default/index.html?videoId=6148635105001

Ryan Chetiyawardana: About the Award-Winning Mixologist

[Ryan Chetiyawardana](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/lynnette-marrero-and-ryan-chetiyawardana-teach-mixology) is an international bartender, mixologist, and bar founder. In 2015, he was named the International Bartender of the Year by the Tales of the Cocktail foundation. Ryan is one of the most innovative bartenders working today and advocates for more sustainability and low waste in the world of cocktails. (The menu at his first bar, White Lyan, had no ice or perishables.)

Ryan’s cocktail bars include London’s White Lyan and Dandelyan; the latter earned topped the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2019. (White Lyan and Dandelyan are no longer in operation, but Dandelyan reopened in 2019 as Lyaness.) Ryan also owns the bars Super Lyan in Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Silver Lyan in Washington, DC.
From fun nicknames to making cocktails with pig’s blood, here are some surprising facts about Ryan:

1. __His nickname is Mr. Lyan__. The moniker comes from when he was a child in Birmingham, UK. The kids would mispronounce the name “Ryan,” making it sound like “lion.” The nickname stuck, and now all of Ryan’s bars are a play on the name “Lyan.” 
2. __He studied arts and sciences__. At Central St. Martins and Edinburgh University, Ryan studied fine arts, biology, and philosophy. His fascination with biology dovetails with his interest in cocktails. “I first got really intrigued by the kind of biology of how we taste,” Ryan says. “How can we explore flavors? Why do we react to them the way that we do? And what can we use to kind of understand some of that biology to really try and find new, unexpected, and more delicious ways of creating flavor?”
3. __He believes cocktails are an experience__. Food and cocktails are of a piece for Ryan, and both are essential tools for bringing people together to experience life. “It's a manner in which we can use this as a tool alongside things like our beautiful homes, our music that we love, and the things that we've been interested in that we've seen traveling around the world,” Ryan says. “How can we use that as a way of helping people gather together and helping them have a much better time?”
4. __He has a method for arranging a cocktail menu__. In his bars, Ryan arranges his cocktail menus in a very particular way, not just by the type of base [liquor](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-stock-your-home-bar) but also by mood. “We use a map. It dots it out from light to dark,” he says. “So if you want something that's a bit cleaner and brighter or something that feels a little bit more like a warm hug, it can help you choose alongside that scale.”
5. __He’s a fan of unusual ingredients__. Ryan believes in using seasonal ingredients and local ingredients for his cocktails. “I've been a fan of using some kind of unusual ingredients, rare ingredients,” he says, “things that really help push our boundaries of what our tastes can be and what our comfort zones can be.” For example, the menu at Lyanness features cocktails with blood curaçao (a combination of pig’s blood and orange) and green sauce liquor (a combination of green herbs, sour fruit, and [mushrooms](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/14-edible-mushroom-varieties-and-how-to-cook-with-mushrooms)). Ryan is also a fan of using fermentation ingredients, such as yeast.
Ryan and Lynette will teach you how to tap into your inner bartender. You can expect these five highlights and more exclusively on MasterClass:

1. __Enjoy a cocktail for one__. Ryan will teach you how to make a Mojito, the perfect drink for one. From how to properly muddle mint to how to build the drink in a glass—no cocktail shaker necessary. “It's something that's ideal to sip when you need something just to kick back after a long day, and it's really magical for making you feel like you're on a tropical island,” Ryan says.
2. __Focus on what you have__. You do not need a fancy bartending kit to make cocktails at home. Instead, Ryan recommends using what you have on hand to mix and shake your cocktails. “You can make things using jam jars or teapots or even using paintbrushes and chopsticks to stir your drinks,” he says. “This isn't about having to have lots of expensive or fanciful equipment.”
3. __Get the ratios right__. Cocktails are not about following strict recipes. Instead, it’s about proportions, which you can use any measurement vessel you have on hand, such as a shot glass, egg cups, teaspoons, or [tablespoons](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-measure-a-tablespoon). “It makes sure that everything's in check,” Ryan says. “You don't have too much sweetness, too much acidity, too much of the strength of the alcohol coming through.”
4. __Mix some party drinks__. Ryan will teach you how to make cocktails to impress your friends at a party, including his classy take on the classic Bloody Mary. This drink, dubbed the [Lyan Mary](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lyan-mary-cocktail-recipe-by-ryan-chetiyawardana), contains an unusual ingredient that will push its flavor to new heights. As Ryan puts it, the Lyan Mary is “not a boozy soup. It's about having something layered, complex, still feels adult.”
5. __Saber a champagne bottle__. When making Ryan’s [Bottled Fizz](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ryan-chetiyawardanas-bottled-fizz-cocktail-recipe), a variation of a [French 75](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-75-cocktail-recipe), you can saber the top of a champagne bottle as the ultimate party trick. Sabering champagne is “a really easy way of adding a bit of theatrics to the mix,” Ryan says. Learn how to prep the bottle, identify the seam, and use a blade to remove the cork.
To learn more about preparing libations and experimenting with ingredients, consider the following classes:

1. __Dominique Crenn on modern vegetarian cooking__: Dominique Crenn is one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, known for her three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Atelier Crenn. Watch [Dominique’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/dominique-crenn-teaches-modern-vegetarian-cooking) and download the corresponding Class Guide to learn about sustainable ingredients, various ways to prepare vegetables, and how to make a Kir Breton, a cocktail featuring hard apple cider and crème de cassis.
2. __James Suckling on wine appreciation__: James Suckling is a wine master, journalist, and critic. Watch [James’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/james-suckling-teaches-wine-appreciation) to learn about viticulture, tasting techniques, and wine etiquette. 
3. __Wolfgang Puck on cooking__: Wolfgang Puck is a James Beard Foundation Award–winning restaurateur and one of the world’s most successful chefs. Take [Wolfgang’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/wolfgang-puck-teaches-cooking) to learn how to develop your palate, cook recipes, and mix classic cocktails, including his take on the [Negroni](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wolfgang-pucks-negroni-cocktail-recipe) and a [Peach Bellini](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wolfgang-pucks-peach-bellini-cocktail-recipe).
If you are ready to make impressive cocktails at home, stock up your liquor cabinet. Discover Ryan Chetiyawardana’s approach to mixology, crafting cocktails, sourcing ingredients, and more when you sign up for the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/homepage).
Ryan Chetiyawardana is a world-renowned bartender, mixologist, and bar owner. Learn how to make impressive cocktails at home with Ryan’s techniques and recipes.

Ryan Chetiyawardana is a world-renowned bartender, mixologist, and bar owner. Learn how to make impressive cocktails at home with Ryan’s techniques and recipes.

<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/lynnette-marrero-and-ryan-chetiyawardana-teach-mixology' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/lynnette-marrero-and-ryan-chetiyawardana-teach-mixology","linkCopy":"Ryan Chetiyawardana","category":null}'>Ryan Chetiyawardana</a> is an international bartender, mixologist, and bar founder. In 2015, he was named the International Bartender of the Year by the Tales of the Cocktail foundation. Ryan is one of the most innovative bartenders working today and advocates for more sustainability and low waste in the world of cocktails. (The menu at his first bar, White Lyan, had no ice or perishables.)Ryan’s cocktail bars include London’s White Lyan and Dandelyan; the latter earned topped the World&#39;s 50 Best Bars list in 2019. (White Lyan and Dandelyan are no longer in operation, but Dandelyan reopened in 2019 as Lyaness.) Ryan also owns the bars Super Lyan in Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Silver Lyan in Washington, DC.

A Brief Introduction to Ryan Chetiyawardana

From fun nicknames to making cocktails with pig’s blood, here are some surprising facts about Ryan:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. His nickname is Mr. Lyan. The moniker comes from when he was a child in Birmingham, UK. The kids would mispronounce the name “Ryan,” making it sound like “lion.” The nickname stuck, and now all of Ryan’s bars are a play on the name “Lyan.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. He studied arts and sciences. At Central St. Martins and Edinburgh University, Ryan studied fine arts, biology, and philosophy. His fascination with biology dovetails with his interest in cocktails. “I first got really intrigued by the kind of biology of how we taste,” Ryan says. “How can we explore flavors? Why do we react to them the way that we do? And what can we use to kind of understand some of that biology to really try and find new, unexpected, and more delicious ways of creating flavor?” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. He believes cocktails are an experience. Food and cocktails are of a piece for Ryan, and both are essential tools for bringing people together to experience life. “It&#39;s a manner in which we can use this as a tool alongside things like our beautiful homes, our music that we love, and the things that we&#39;ve been interested in that we&#39;ve seen traveling around the world,” Ryan says. “How can we use that as a way of helping people gather together and helping them have a much better time?” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. He has a method for arranging a cocktail menu. In his bars, Ryan arranges his cocktail menus in a very particular way, not just by the type of base <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-stock-your-home-bar' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-stock-your-home-bar","linkCopy":"liquor","category":null}'>liquor</a> but also by mood. “We use a map. It dots it out from light to dark,” he says. “So if you want something that&#39;s a bit cleaner and brighter or something that feels a little bit more like a warm hug, it can help you choose alongside that scale.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. He’s a fan of unusual ingredients. Ryan believes in using seasonal ingredients and local ingredients for his cocktails. “I&#39;ve been a fan of using some kind of unusual ingredients, rare ingredients,” he says, “things that really help push our boundaries of what our tastes can be and what our comfort zones can be.” For example, the menu at Lyanness features cocktails with blood curaçao (a combination of pig’s blood and orange) and green sauce liquor (a combination of green herbs, sour fruit, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/14-edible-mushroom-varieties-and-how-to-cook-with-mushrooms' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/14-edible-mushroom-varieties-and-how-to-cook-with-mushrooms","linkCopy":"mushrooms","category":null}'>mushrooms</a>). Ryan is also a fan of using fermentation ingredients, such as yeast. </li></ol>

5 Fast Facts About Ryan Chetiyawardana

Ryan and Lynette will teach you how to tap into your inner bartender. You can expect these five highlights and more exclusively on MasterClass:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Enjoy a cocktail for one. Ryan will teach you how to make a Mojito, the perfect drink for one. From how to properly muddle mint to how to build the drink in a glass—no cocktail shaker necessary. “It&#39;s something that&#39;s ideal to sip when you need something just to kick back after a long day, and it&#39;s really magical for making you feel like you&#39;re on a tropical island,” Ryan says. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Focus on what you have. You do not need a fancy bartending kit to make cocktails at home. Instead, Ryan recommends using what you have on hand to mix and shake your cocktails. “You can make things using jam jars or teapots or even using paintbrushes and chopsticks to stir your drinks,” he says. “This isn&#39;t about having to have lots of expensive or fanciful equipment.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Get the ratios right. Cocktails are not about following strict recipes. Instead, it’s about proportions, which you can use any measurement vessel you have on hand, such as a shot glass, egg cups, teaspoons, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-measure-a-tablespoon' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-measure-a-tablespoon","linkCopy":"tablespoons","category":null}'>tablespoons</a>. “It makes sure that everything&#39;s in check,” Ryan says. “You don&#39;t have too much sweetness, too much acidity, too much of the strength of the alcohol coming through.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Mix some party drinks. Ryan will teach you how to make cocktails to impress your friends at a party, including his classy take on the classic Bloody Mary. This drink, dubbed the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lyan-mary-cocktail-recipe-by-ryan-chetiyawardana' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lyan-mary-cocktail-recipe-by-ryan-chetiyawardana","linkCopy":"Lyan Mary","category":null}'>Lyan Mary</a>, contains an unusual ingredient that will push its flavor to new heights. As Ryan puts it, the Lyan Mary is “not a boozy soup. It&#39;s about having something layered, complex, still feels adult.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Saber a champagne bottle. When making Ryan’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ryan-chetiyawardanas-bottled-fizz-cocktail-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ryan-chetiyawardanas-bottled-fizz-cocktail-recipe","linkCopy":"Bottled Fizz","category":null}'>Bottled Fizz</a>, a variation of a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-75-cocktail-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-75-cocktail-recipe","linkCopy":"French 75","category":null}'>French 75</a>, you can saber the top of a champagne bottle as the ultimate party trick. Sabering champagne is “a really easy way of adding a bit of theatrics to the mix,” Ryan says. Learn how to prep the bottle, identify the seam, and use a blade to remove the cork. </li></ol>

5 Highlights From Ryan Chetiyawardana and Lynette Marerro’s Class

To learn more about preparing libations and experimenting with ingredients, consider the following classes:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Dominique Crenn on modern vegetarian cooking: Dominique Crenn is one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, known for her three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Atelier Crenn. Watch <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/dominique-crenn-teaches-modern-vegetarian-cooking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/dominique-crenn-teaches-modern-vegetarian-cooking","linkCopy":"Dominique’s class","category":null}'>Dominique’s class</a> and download the corresponding Class Guide to learn about sustainable ingredients, various ways to prepare vegetables, and how to make a Kir Breton, a cocktail featuring hard apple cider and crème de cassis. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. James Suckling on wine appreciation: James Suckling is a wine master, journalist, and critic. Watch <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/james-suckling-teaches-wine-appreciation' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/james-suckling-teaches-wine-appreciation","linkCopy":"James’s class","category":null}'>James’s class</a> to learn about viticulture, tasting techniques, and wine etiquette. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Wolfgang Puck on cooking: Wolfgang Puck is a James Beard Foundation Award–winning restaurateur and one of the world’s most successful chefs. Take <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/wolfgang-puck-teaches-cooking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/wolfgang-puck-teaches-cooking","linkCopy":"Wolfgang’s class","category":null}'>Wolfgang’s class</a> to learn how to develop your palate, cook recipes, and mix classic cocktails, including his take on the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wolfgang-pucks-negroni-cocktail-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wolfgang-pucks-negroni-cocktail-recipe","linkCopy":"Negroni","category":null}'>Negroni</a> and a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wolfgang-pucks-peach-bellini-cocktail-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wolfgang-pucks-peach-bellini-cocktail-recipe","linkCopy":"Peach Bellini","category":null}'>Peach Bellini</a>. </li></ol>

3 More Culinary Classes

If you are ready to make impressive cocktails at home, stock up your liquor cabinet. Discover Ryan Chetiyawardana’s approach to mixology, crafting cocktails, sourcing ingredients, and more when you sign up for the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/homepage' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/homepage","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>.

Get Behind the Bar

Ryan Chetiyawardana is a world-renowned bartender, mixologist, and bar owner. Learn how to make impressive cocktails at home with Ryan’s techniques and recipes.

Ryan Chetiyawardana is a world-renowned bartender, mixologist, and bar owner. Learn how to make impressive cocktails at home with Ryan’s techniques and recipes.


A photo of Ryan Chetiyawardana smiling next to alcoholic beverages in a kitchen.

ryan-chetiyawardana

In fine art, filmmaking, photography, [graphic design](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design), and other visual mediums, composition speaks to the arrangement of design elements in a given canvas, image, or screen. The composition combines specific elements—such as color, texture, and [positive or negative space](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/positive-and-negative-space)—that offer a clear visual hierarchy, drawing attention to the central or various parts of the image.
Graphic design composition combines individual elements with a structure to communicate information effectively. Graphic designers can use the basic principles of composition to make ads, website designs, and other marketing materials to build an effective [brand positioning strategy](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-brand-positioning-strategy) or [marketing campaign](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/direct-marketing). Using compositional principles gives visual weight to an image, telling the audience where to look, what to read, and how to feel. 

In addition to eye-catching graphic elements to communicate a message, there must be cohesion within the details, so audiences clearly understand the graphic and its goal. Graphic designers often work in apps such as Adobe Creative Cloud to establish a [visual hierarchy](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/visual-hierarchy) and strong composition for graphic design projects.
Several different elements are the building blocks that combine to make a good composition. The most important elements include:

1. __Color palette__: One of the most striking elements of your design, color helps establish a mood for your composition. When light waves strike an object and reflect back to the optic nerve in a human’s eyes, the sensation they perceive is color. Artists and designers use [color](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-in-art-explained) to depict and describe the subject and to portray mood, light, depth, and point of view. Designers use the [color wheel](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel) and the tenets of color theory—a set of guidelines for mixing, combining, and manipulating colors—to create color schemes.
2. __Form__: The way a shape or physical configuration occupies space is form. Instead of creating form through a three-dimensional physical shape, designers create the appearance of form on a flat surface by using light, shadow, the formation of an object’s contours, empty space, and surrounding objects.
3. __Line__: Line refers to the way that two points in space connect. Diagonal, vertical, or horizontal lines can direct the eye toward a certain point in your composition. Designers can employ lines to create a symmetrical or asymmetrical [balance](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/balance-photography-explained) in designs.
4. __Shape__: A [shape](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shape-in-art-explained) is a two-dimensional area with a surrounding outline. Graphic artists can use elements, including line, color, value, and shadow, to give a shape the appearance of a three-dimensional shape. There are three types of shapes: organic shapes, which occur naturally in the world; geometric shapes, which are angular and mathematically consistent; and abstract shapes, which represent things in nature but aren’t perfectly representative.
5. __Space__: Using space properly can help others view your design as you intended. White space or negative space is the space between or around the focal point of an image. Positive space is the space that your subject matter takes up in your composition. The spacing of your design is essential because a crowded [design layout](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/grids-in-design) can overwhelm the viewer’s eye.
6. __Texture__: Designers use texture to express how an object (image or text) feels. Words to describe texture may be rough, ribbed, smooth, thorny, soft, and more. Texture can provide a sensory component to your design.
7. __Typeface__: [Web designs](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-web-designer), ads, and print materials often combine images and text. The kind of [typography](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide) you use should stem from brand guidelines and be easily legible—and well-written—to create a compelling message.
8. __Value__: In design, [value](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/value-in-art-explained) refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. The values of a color comprise gradients, a series of variations on one hue that range from the lightest to the darkest. Artists can use the various values of color to create the illusion of mass and volume in their work.
Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director","linkCopy":"art director","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>art director</a> of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more.
A successful graphic design composition combines visual elements to <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicate","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicate</a> a clear message. Learn about the principles of design and the key elements of compelling graphic design compositions.

A successful graphic design composition combines visual elements to <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicate","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicate</a> a clear message. Learn about the principles of design and the key elements of compelling graphic design compositions.

Graphic Design Composition: 8 Graphic Design Elements

In fine art, filmmaking, photography, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design","linkCopy":"graphic design","category":null}'>graphic design</a>, and other visual mediums, composition speaks to the arrangement of design elements in a given canvas, image, or screen. The composition combines specific elements—such as color, texture, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/positive-and-negative-space' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/positive-and-negative-space","linkCopy":"positive or negative space","category":null}'>positive or negative space</a>—that offer a clear visual hierarchy, drawing attention to the central or various parts of the image.

What Is Composition?

Graphic design composition combines individual elements with a structure to communicate information effectively. Graphic designers can use the basic principles of composition to make ads, website designs, and other marketing materials to build an effective <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-brand-positioning-strategy' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-brand-positioning-strategy","linkCopy":"brand positioning strategy","category":null}'>brand positioning strategy</a> or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/direct-marketing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/direct-marketing","linkCopy":"marketing campaign","category":null}'>marketing campaign</a>. Using compositional principles gives visual weight to an image, telling the audience where to look, what to read, and how to feel. In addition to eye-catching graphic elements to communicate a message, there must be cohesion within the details, so audiences clearly understand the graphic and its goal. Graphic designers often work in apps such as Adobe Creative Cloud to establish a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/visual-hierarchy' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/visual-hierarchy","linkCopy":"visual hierarchy","category":null}'>visual hierarchy</a> and strong composition for graphic design projects.

What Is Graphic Design Composition?

Several different elements are the building blocks that combine to make a good composition. The most important elements include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Color palette: One of the most striking elements of your design, color helps establish a mood for your composition. When light waves strike an object and reflect back to the optic nerve in a human’s eyes, the sensation they perceive is color. Artists and designers use <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-in-art-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-in-art-explained","linkCopy":"color","category":null}'>color</a> to depict and describe the subject and to portray mood, light, depth, and point of view. Designers use the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel","linkCopy":"color wheel","category":null}'>color wheel</a> and the tenets of color theory—a set of guidelines for mixing, combining, and manipulating colors—to create color schemes. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Form: The way a shape or physical configuration occupies space is form. Instead of creating form through a three-dimensional physical shape, designers create the appearance of form on a flat surface by using light, shadow, the formation of an object’s contours, empty space, and surrounding objects. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Line: Line refers to the way that two points in space connect. Diagonal, vertical, or horizontal lines can direct the eye toward a certain point in your composition. Designers can employ lines to create a symmetrical or asymmetrical <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/balance-photography-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/balance-photography-explained","linkCopy":"balance","category":null}'>balance</a> in designs. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Shape: A <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shape-in-art-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shape-in-art-explained","linkCopy":"shape","category":null}'>shape</a> is a two-dimensional area with a surrounding outline. Graphic artists can use elements, including line, color, value, and shadow, to give a shape the appearance of a three-dimensional shape. There are three types of shapes: organic shapes, which occur naturally in the world; geometric shapes, which are angular and mathematically consistent; and abstract shapes, which represent things in nature but aren’t perfectly representative. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Space: Using space properly can help others view your design as you intended. White space or negative space is the space between or around the focal point of an image. Positive space is the space that your subject matter takes up in your composition. The spacing of your design is essential because a crowded <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/grids-in-design' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/grids-in-design","linkCopy":"design layout","category":null}'>design layout</a> can overwhelm the viewer’s eye. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Texture: Designers use texture to express how an object (image or text) feels. Words to describe texture may be rough, ribbed, smooth, thorny, soft, and more. Texture can provide a sensory component to your design. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Typeface: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-web-designer' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-web-designer","linkCopy":"Web designs","category":null}'>Web designs</a>, ads, and print materials often combine images and text. The kind of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide","linkCopy":"typography","category":null}'>typography</a> you use should stem from brand guidelines and be easily legible—and well-written—to create a compelling message. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Value: In design, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/value-in-art-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/value-in-art-explained","linkCopy":"value","category":null}'>value</a> refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. The values of a color comprise gradients, a series of variations on one hue that range from the lightest to the darkest. Artists can use the various values of color to create the illusion of mass and volume in their work. </li></ol>

8 Components of Graphic Design Composition

Get a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director","linkCopy":"art director","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>art director</a> of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more.

Want to Learn More About Tapping Into Your Graphic Design Genius?

A successful graphic design composition combines visual elements to <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicate","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicate</a> a clear message. Learn about the principles of design and the key elements of compelling graphic design compositions.

A successful graphic design composition combines visual elements to <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicate","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicate</a> a clear message. Learn about the principles of design and the key elements of compelling graphic design compositions.

Desktop computer with graphic design compositions displayed on screen.

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