I don’t know who at Kroger is assigned the duties of arranging the fruits and vegetables in their respective sales bins. I’m not even sure if whoever it is isn’t working from a graphic designer’s and marketing director’s floor plan or diagram to best show off the variety of produce available.
I’ve pretended to be examining the possible purchase of potatoes or bananas to watch as the Kroger worker sorts through crates of oranges or onions selecting the next item for the carefully arranged display.
What makes these displays so interesting is the selection of contrasting colors, shapes, designs, and patterns used. Today’s photo is an example all of these elements.
The radishes, red and circular, contrast in color and shape with their parsley neighbors. Almost identical in size, the three items are a near triumvirate of design.
By themselves they would be interesting but not important.
Adding the lower row of scallions with their green to white gradient gathered in groups with blue rubber bands offers contrast in shape and color to the top row.
The bottom row of bundled greens becomes a solid pedestal for the top two rows to stand on.
Move any of these rows to another position and the design disappears. It would still have contrast of color and shape. What it would lack is a complete design element. It would be a series of individual design unrelated to and unaffected by the others.
Another small but important piece of this design puzzle are the objects that frame the produce. At left and right are more greenery that holds your eye within the frame. At top is a darker reflection of the top row. The bottom section is curved which pulls your eyes back in the frame.
There is a lesson to be learned here for photographers.
Use the same design elements in your photography. Look for repeating patterns, symmetry, asymmetry, control of color and shape. Watch for edge framing devices that keep the viewer’s eyes within the frame. Study the compositional elements in your photos to see which designs and ideas worked best.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Oh yes. Shot this with my iPhone.
