Design Principles_Task 2_ Visual Analysis
Week 4-5
Jessica Tjoe / 0361482
Design Principles/ BDCM/ Institute of Innovation and Technology
Task 2 - Visual Analysis
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Lectures
D9. Harmony
Harmony involves the selection of elements of a similar traits. It becomes monotony without variety .
The sense that every element of your design fits together. Harmony fits the same theme, aesthetic, style or mood.
- Subtext: Variety
example taken from slides
As you can see here the photograph above fits the same theme and aesthetic. Similar colors are also present despite the variety of items in the photograph.
D10. Unity
Refering to the repetition of particular elements throughout the design, be it shapes, colours, or materials they pull the image together. Unity is composed in such a way that is balanced and gives the sense of wholeness. And although Unity might seem similar to Harmony when compared, each of them plays a very distinct role from each other in design.
Another example I would like to highlight is this illustration i found from Pinterest. Posted by the user Emu (えむ) Here the unity lies in the cohesive linework as the lineart provides unity using style and the rendering provides a cohesive mood that ties the illustration's unity all together.
D11. Scale and proportion
While both elements have something to do with size. Scale is the size of one object in relation to the other, where proportion are the parts of an object in relationship to other parts of the same object. Designers throughout the ages have used these elements to either depict or distract these ideals.
- Proportion
The relationship of 2 or more elements in a composition and how they compare to one another respectively in size, colour, quality, quantity, degree and setting, etc. ie ratio. It's said to be harmonious when the elements are in the correct relationship respectively to size or quantity.
Its most effective use often results in harmony and unity.
Example taken from the slides (I too am surprised), The August 3rd volume cover art of weekly shonen jump, featuring the main protagonist of my hero academia, Midoriya Izuku and his mentor All-might.
Here in the example you can see that proportion is used to highlight the main manga featured in the volume. Size is used to put a spot light on Izuku while the type around him is used to highlight the fact that the series is getting a movie and its celebrating its 4th anniversary.
- Scale
Referring to size and dimensions of figures and forms, its relative to a specific unit of measure. And it can be determined by two ways;
- Actual Measurement
- Visual estimation based on comparison
Its often used in architectural drawings and scale models, scale is often used to specify or illustrate based on the relative sizes of objects. A surprising deviation from normal scale relationships can result in the creation of dramatic results and visual interest within the design or composition.
example taken from the slides, shows how scale is used in architecture. So that the implementations of the scale and design could be used in design.
In illustration scale is mainly used along with perspective to provide dynamic angles and interesting backgrounds. As you can see in this concept art of a tavern, Scale is used to determine the size of items and how those items compare to the other items within range, While proportion determines how the rest of the hall compares. This is a good example of visual estimation based on comparison while the example above is a good example of actual measurement.
-End of Lecture 5-
Symbol, Words and Imagery
- Symbol
A sign, shape, object that is used to represent something else. In design symbols can provide or convey information, equivalent to one or more sentence of text, or even a whole story.
breaking it down in layman's terms
Symbols -> Figurative representations -> Graphic symbols -> }Pictorial Symbols
}Abstract Symbols
}Arbitrary Symbols
- Pictorial Symbols
Image related, simplified pictures
- Abstract Symbols
Look like the objects they represent but have even less details
- Arbitrary Symbols
No resemblance to the objects/ideas they represent. A symbol invented with the meaning constructed, a lot of them being based of geometric shapes and colours. These are the types of symbols that we have to learn.
- Word and imagery
Imagery is a vital part of the design wither it'd be print or digital. Users and viewers both can relate to the concept/brand if the right images are used. Therefor it is very important to use suitable and relevant images when designing. At the same time choosing the right words to pair with the imagery would deepen the meaning of the design, this includes having a suitable typefaces and a strategic positioning. This ultimately results in visual hierarchy and balance of the over all design. This mainly falls under typography, the design or arrangement of text to convey a certain message/concept.
-End of Lecture 6-
Visual Analysis
A method of understanding design through visual elements and principles. By its strictest definition, its the description and explanation of a visual structure for its own sake, yet its purpose also recognizes choices that a designer made in creating the design as well as how the better understand the formal properties of a design are used to communicate ideas, content, or meaning.
A critical part of visual literacy, its a skill that helps people read and interpret images critically. Be it in museums, social media, entertainment, advertising or the news, as those who live in the 21st century we are constantly confronted with visual media. Practicing visual analysis sharpens our critical judgement skill and help people seek out answers instead or passively receiving information.
Visual Analysis can be split into 3 different phases;
1. Observation
2. Analysis
3. Interpretation
- Observation
Looking closely and identifying visual elements of a design, trying to describe them as carefully and as accurately as you can in your own words. You mustn't read before hand about the design at all!
This phase is all about looking, thinking, and finding good language to describe and communicate what you noticed.
- Analysis
Requiring you to think about the observations that you've made try to make statements about that observation. How do the specific visual elements you've identified complete that design/art? How does it effect the viewer?
How your eyes are led through it and why? Analysis is applying the knowledge that you've learnt.
- Interpretation
The final turn. This is where all your observations, description, and analysis of the work are fused together with facts about the design and in some cases, the designer. Along with historical contexts from trusted public sources. This is what all that set up in the previous turns are for delivering the punchline, of what is the meaning of the design ? and what's it's purpose of being created?
-End of Lecture 7-
Task 2
For this task we are to find and deconstruct the elements of the existing artwork present in the previous task.
Observation
The contrast of the art piece in question is heavily present. The Children's faces and their bodies are in complete contrast of the background and each other, the grey values in the children's faces provides the clear intention of spot lighting them as the main focal point. The chaos in the background also contrasts wildly with the black using white and values of lighter grey to portray the dreams of children.
The composition of the artwork is set to make you look at the bottom of the image first where it highlights the 3 children.
Analysis
The design is asymmetrical as the children are arranged from oldest to youngest (left to right), the reason for this is cause the older we get the more responsibilities we shoulder the more mental burdens we developed. It also explains the imagery in the back where the oldest child has a more dominant elements if anything. The composition of the artwork is set to make you look at the bottom of the image first where it highlights the 3 children. If you bring out the rule of thirds the bottom two points would be the focal points as it grabs your attention the most.
If you bring out the rule of thirds the bottom two points would be the focal points as it grabs your attention the most. Scale is used here to emphasize the importance of the kids. Interpretation
Lucid dreaming is another way that children escape the real world, through hard times, we not need just to look at our physical selves but ourselves deep within. The overall composition separates the clam from the chaos, how the physical world is shown from the dreamscape. Without them, without the children the illustrations of the lucid dreams at the back would not exist.
Sources:
Nguyễn, N. (2023) Pin by Nhi Nguyễn on 料理: Food illustration art, Cute Food Art, kawaii art, Pinterest. Available at: https://id.pinterest.com/pin/844493673494749/ (Accessed: 07 March 2024).
Pin by FZD School of Design on Concept Design: Interior concept art, Perspective Art, architecture drawing art (2022) Pinterest. Available at: https://id.pinterest.com/pin/624874517063766484/ (Accessed: 07 March 2024).
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