Comprehensive layout
Encyclopedia
In graphic design
and advertising
, a comprehensive layout or comprehensive, usually shortened to comp, is the page layout
of a proposed design as initially presented by the designer to a client, showing the relative positions of text
and illustration
s before the specific content of those elements has been decided on, as a rough draft of the final layout in which to build around.
The illustration element may incorporate stock photography
, clip art
, or other found material that gives an idea of what should be visually communicated, before entering any negotiations concerning the rights to use a specific image for the purpose. Picture agencies may encourage such use free of charge, in the hope that the comp image (sometimes referred to as a "positional" image) will end up being used in the final product. For this reason, it is sometimes mistakenly believed that "comp" is short for "complimentary," as it is in some other promotional contexts.
Even in the age of rapid desktop publishing software, comps may be developed using hand-rendering techniques and materials to avoid investing too much time on the computer before client approval of the idea, depending on the complexity of the production task. A hand-rendered comp may be useful in helping the client refrain from "nitpicking
" the production quality and focus on the design idea.
"Comp" may also stand for composition or composite layout.
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
and advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
, a comprehensive layout or comprehensive, usually shortened to comp, is the page layout
Page layout
Page layout is the part of graphic design that deals in the arrangement and style treatment of elements on a page.- History and development :...
of a proposed design as initially presented by the designer to a client, showing the relative positions of text
Typography
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type in order to make language visible. The arrangement of type involves the selection of typefaces, point size, line length, leading , adjusting the spaces between groups of letters and adjusting the space between pairs of letters...
and illustration
Illustration
An illustration is a displayed visualization form presented as a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that is created to elucidate or dictate sensual information by providing a visual representation graphically.- Early history :The earliest forms of illustration were prehistoric...
s before the specific content of those elements has been decided on, as a rough draft of the final layout in which to build around.
The illustration element may incorporate stock photography
Stock photography
Stock photography is the supply of photographs licensed for specific uses. It is used to fulfill the needs of creative assignments instead of hiring a photographer. Today, stock images can be presented in searchable online databases. They can be purchased and delivered online...
, clip art
Clip art
Clip art, in the graphic arts, refers to pre-made images used to illustrate any medium. Today, clip art is used extensively in both personal and commercial projects, ranging from home-printed greeting cards to commercial candles. Clip art comes in many forms, both electronic and printed. However,...
, or other found material that gives an idea of what should be visually communicated, before entering any negotiations concerning the rights to use a specific image for the purpose. Picture agencies may encourage such use free of charge, in the hope that the comp image (sometimes referred to as a "positional" image) will end up being used in the final product. For this reason, it is sometimes mistakenly believed that "comp" is short for "complimentary," as it is in some other promotional contexts.
Even in the age of rapid desktop publishing software, comps may be developed using hand-rendering techniques and materials to avoid investing too much time on the computer before client approval of the idea, depending on the complexity of the production task. A hand-rendered comp may be useful in helping the client refrain from "nitpicking
Nitpicking (pastime)
Nitpicking is the pastime of pointing out minor flaws or mistakes. The term is often used in a negative light. The term comes from the intense concentration and careful attention to detail required when nitpicking .- Film and television :Some nitpickers specialize in finding mistakes in movies and...
" the production quality and focus on the design idea.
"Comp" may also stand for composition or composite layout.
See also
- Animatic
- PrevisualizationPrevisualizationPrevisualization is a function to visualise complex scenes in movie before filming. It is also a concept in still photography...
- Communication designCommunication designCommunication design is a mixed discipline between design and information-development which is concerned with how media intermission such as printed, crafted, electronic media or presentations communicate with people...
- Website wireframeWebsite wireframeA website wireframe, also known as a page schematic or screen blueprint, is a visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a website. The wireframe depicts the page layout or arrangement of the website’s content, including interface elements and navigational systems, and how they work...