Contrast

http://chasemor.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/on-to-bad-graphic-design/

This is an example of a website with a lack of contrast in its design. The use of the background creates an unappealing design. The "confusion and ambiguity" makes this webpage ineffective. The repetitious background causes for the viewer to not be able to identify the features like the content on the webpage.
"Ambiguity is its natural enemy and must be avoided if the process of seeing is to function properly" (Dondis). If the text in the page had a solid color background  behind it this design could be more efficient. In the headline of the webpage "Mama's Cheesies" is much easier to read because it has a solid color background behind it. The absences of contrast and repetitious nature cause for this to be a failure in design.

http://shop.tangyauhoong.com/product/autumn-s-fall

This graphic created by Tang Yau Hoong is a good example of contrast. This technique sharpens the image in a well defined and creative graphic. To create a balance between contrast and harmony, Tang had to use different tones in color to separate the background from the foreground.  In this image you can see that the empty space is just as important in creating this graphic as the patterns created from color are. The scale used in the different patterns also cause for contrast in the shapes. "The contrast of tone is as vitally important as the presence of light in the process of seeing. Through tone, we can perceive patterns that we simplify into objects with shape, dimension, and other elemental visual properties" (Dondis).  By creating polarities between the the tonal patterns Tang Yau Hoong was able to create a more complex meaning into his work.