Focal point

A focal point is the place in a view where the eye lands first. Mateusz Piaskiewicz calls it the dominant: "Dominant is the focal point of the composition" (Game Developer: Composition in Level Design). It is the core of composition.

#Why it matters

In a game, the focal point is often where you want the player to go or what you want them to notice: an exit, an objective, a story clue, a landmark. A view without a clear focal point feels noisy. A view with several competing ones feels confusing. Piaskiewicz's rule is: "Keep the player's interest on only one thing a time" (Game Developer: Composition in Level Design).

#How to create one

A focal point comes from contrast with its surroundings. Piaskiewicz lists five main tools (Game Developer: Composition in Level Design):

• Detail: "The detail-rich spots will get the player's attention simply because there are things to watch."
• Light: "The most important objects should be well lit." See light and shadow and value.
• Colour: a saturated or contrasting hue against a muted scene. See colour for environments.
• Scale: "Bigger composition elements will get more attention than the rest of the scene."
• Motion: moving elements strengthen the dominant.

You can also add a weaker secondary element, the counterpoint, to give the eye somewhere to go next (Game Developer: Composition in Level Design). Leading lines and framing then steer the eye between them.

Contrast also depends on calm areas. Felix Leyendecker's guideline, "30% of the space should contain 70% of the detail", leaves quiet areas so the detailed ones stand out (80 Level: Environment Design: Modularity, Color &…).

#How to test a focal point

These checks are quick and need no special tools:

1. Squint test. Look at your screenshot through half-closed eyes. Detail disappears and only big value shapes remain. The focal point should still be the strongest contrast.
2. Greyscale. Desaturate the screenshot. If the focal point relied only on hue, it may vanish. Value contrast usually does more work than colour.
3. Blur. Apply a strong blur (around 2–3% of image width). If the eye still lands in the same place, the focal point is built on big shapes, not fine detail.
4. Two-second test. Show the screenshot to someone for two seconds and ask where they looked. Repeat with two or three people.
5. Move the camera. In-game, walk a few metres either side of the intended viewpoint. A focal point that only works from one pixel-perfect spot will be missed.

#Related terms

composition · silhouette · value · light and shadow · colour for environments · landmarks · wayfinding · cameras, lenses and field of view

#Further reading and watching