Everything Papercraft - Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a guideline many visual artists consider when composing designs for paintings and drawings or when framing a photograph or other visual art piece. It provides a basic framework for the placement of focal points to help increase drama or interest. Think of a tic-tac-toe board centered over your artwork so that it splits the piece in three horizontally and vertically. The best location for your focal image, according to the rule of thirds, is any of the four points where the lines intersect.

Another good rule of thumb is to keep the horizon of a photo or painting at either the one third or two thirds position rather than in the centre of your work. Similarly, large vertical objects can be placed at the one or two thirds point for a more visually appealing effect.

As card artists, we can also make use of the rule of thirds in our card and paper craft designs. Think of how and where to place focal images, embellishments and different patterned papers. But always keep in mind that rules are meant to be broken, and ultimately, the best location is the one that pleases the artist.