Vignette - Definition and Overview

A vignette is a small decorative design, or a brief descriptive piece of writing. Vignetting is also used to indicate an unintended darkening of the image corners in a photograph. In graphic arts and printing, a vignette design usually incorporates a color gradation.

Vignettes are the literary equivalent of a snapshot. They are usually found in sets, around similar subjects or ideas. These sets do not usually follow a plot, but convey an overall mood, theme, or idea. They usually contain colorful, poetic symbolism and metaphors. They are generally short and to the point, not dwelling too long on anything.

Vignettes are also the small, coloured stickers affixed to motor vehicles passing through motorways and motorroads in some European nations, such as Switzerland and Austria. The affixing of a Vignette on a motor vehicle indicates that the respective road toll has been paid. Vignettes are often valid for a year.