Design Principles - Task 2: Visual Analysis
21.02.2024 - 06.03.2024 / Week 3 - Week 5
Teo Mei Hui / 0358315
Design Principles / Bachelors of Design (Honors) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 2: Visual Analysis
Lecture
Visual Analysis
- a method of understanding design that focuses on the visual elements and principles
- a description and explanation of visual structure for itself
- to better understand how the formal properties of a design conveys ideas, content or meaning
- closely looking and identifying the visual elements of a design
- communicate what we notice
- requires us to think about our observations and make statements about the work based on it
- to consider how the identified visual elements combine to create design principles that completes the artwork, and how it effects the viewer
- to fuse our observation and analysis with facts about the design work, the designer, or historical context
- to understand the meaning and purpose of the design
Task 2: Visual Analysis
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Figure 1.1 'Plastic Ocean' by Dasha Nabiullina, 2022 725×376 px https://www.behance.net/gallery/142294183/Plastic-Ocean/modules/803868985 |
Phase 1: Observation
The artwork that I have chosen is illustrated in landscape format. In the artwork, there is a boat with three person on board, where two of them are rowing the boat, and one of them is holding a lamp. The boat leads a stream of beautiful sea creatures across a highly polluted ocean that is filled with plastic waste. The boat and the stream of sea creatures are colored in soft yet vibrant colors, which makes it seem full of life, whereas the rest of the ocean is colored in only grey and white, making it look dull. The composition is mainly drawn in organic, curvy lines.
Phase 2: Analysis
I observed a few design principles in this artwork. Firstly, contrast is shown through the striking difference in color between the opposing elements, which is the blue color of the stream of sea creatures and the light grey of the plastic-polluted ocean. The strong contrast attracts the viewer's eyes immediately. Besides that, balance is used in the composition, as we can observe the implementation of the Rule of Thirds through the placement of the boat on the top right intersection of the guideline. Furthermore, the stream of sea creatures leads the viewer's eyes diagonally from the bottom left corner towards the boat, which adds movement to the artwork. In addition, the plastic wastes in the dull ocean are illustrated in a repeating pattern, portraying the principle of repetition.
Phase 3: Interpretation
This illustration was created by Dasha Nabiullina, a Russian children's illustrator participating in an art challenge, 'Plastic Ocean' organized by Uliana Babenko, who is also a Russian children's illustrator. The challenge aims to bring attention to the issue about the severity of plastic pollution in the ocean. It is evident that the artwork was illustrated in the cartoon style, which is commonly seen in children's storybook illustrations. By using a cute cartoon style, the designer managed to reflect the the sad reality of plastic pollution to the viewers in a captivating way. It can also foster awareness among young children about preserving the ocean.
References
Feedback
Specific feedback:
I have good understanding of the design principles and I am able to communicate my analysis well, especially the interpretation part. I have met the requirements stated in the module brief. Just need to make some minor corrections on the grammar, and state the colors in contrast for phase 2.
Reflection
Through this task, I learned how to conduct an in-depth and thorough visual analysis for an artwork. I was able to practice observing the elements in an artwork and analyzing how the elements integrate to form design principles. Besides that, I had to interpret and research about the artwork to obtain the purpose and meaning behind it. This task help me realize to appreciate not the just visual appearance of an artwork, but also the meaning and design decisions made in it. Overall, it was a great experience.
Further Reading
Blog: The 9 Most Popular Children Book Illustration Styles
https://graphicmama.com/blog/children-book-illustration-styles/
1. Cartoon Style Illustrations
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Figure 2.1 Cartoon style illustration, A Week Without Tuesday Cover by
Stevie Lewis https://i.graphicmama.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/11120540/Cartoon-Style-Illustrations-A-Week-Without-Tuesday-by-Angelica-Banks-Illustration-by-STevie-Lewis.png |
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Figure 2.2 Cartoon style illustration, Autumn by Jesus Lopez https://i.graphicmama.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/11120739/Cartoon-Style-Illustrations-Autumn-by-Jesus-Lopez.png |
- Cartoon style illustrations are one of the most common styles in children’s books.
- Has vibrant and engaging visuals.
- Adds exaggeration to make the visuals more captivating.
- Great at capturing young imaginations and sparking a sense of wonder, it creates a visual world that mirrors the innocence of childhood.
- This style work exceptionally well for playful adventures and stories aimed at young children.
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