1. Avoid the “Belly Button’, or centrally placed clement.

2. Avoid the “Playing Card” format of elements located in the already visually heavy corners of the picture. Likewise, avoid the static placement of elements in the middle of any side of the picture plane.

3. Avoid “Wallpaper”, the equal distribution of positive and negative shapes.

4. Create structural stability by locating a strong horizontal or vertical element somewhere in the composition.

5. Create movement through the use of diagonals, through repetition of similar forms (particularly in lines or arcs), or through the use of strong lines or edges which lead the eye.

6. Create interesting and varied figure-ground relationships in which the negative shapes are as interesting as the positive shapes.

7. The Repetition-Variation principle: Repetition creates unity, holding a composition together. Variation and contrast create interest. Both are necessary. Too much repetition without variation results in unified boredom. Variation without repetition yields chaos.