Design Principles Project 3 | Visual Analysis
Week 11 (02/11/2021) - Week 14 (26/11/2021)
Shamiella Baziella Binti Mohamad (0333104)
Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) (Digital Media Production)
LECTURES
Week 11: Visual Analysis
02/11/2021
02/11/2021
Visual Literacy
• set of abilities that enables an individual to effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media.
Visual Analysis
• a method of understanding design that focuses on visual elements and principles.
• a description and explanation of visual structure for it's own sake.
Phase 1: Observation
• closely looking at and identifying the visual elements and describing them in your own words.
• looking, thinking, and finding good language to communicate what you notice
Phase 2: Analysis
• think about your observations and make statements about the works based on the evidence of the observation
• identify how the design combine together to create a whole? what effect that whole on the viewer?
Phase 3: Interpretation
• observation, descriptions, and analysis of the work are fused with facts about the design work
• what is the meaning of the design? what was the purpose for it to be created?
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
VISUAL RESEARCH
Part 1: Visual Analysis
• design of own choice
• visual analysis (500 words)
Part 2: Design
• produce work of design A3/A4, inspired/influenced
• rationale 150-200 word
 |
| Figure 1.0: "Light Will Guides You Home" by Kathrin Honesta |
Phase 1: Observation
"Light Will Guides You Home", a portrait illustration by Kathrin Honesta published in June 2016 portrayed a girl holding an oil lamp heading down towards the dark path. In this artwork, the artist uses a minimal color of different variations of black and grey in her artwork. On the other hand, the color that dominates the warm tone, yellow plays a significant role in her artwork as it represents the oil lamp (light) as a highlight. Besides that, there are a variety of little dots colored in white and yellow applied, in which I assumed it's a firefly/stars. The uses of trees consist of different kinds of height, width, and length surrounds the girl in the woods was illustrate in this artwork to represent lovely, dark and deep message to it. All in all, this illustration has a strong context on the overall design.
 |
| Figure 1.1: Observation on the Artwork |
Phase 2: Analysis
This artwork is portrayed in an asymmetrical balanced, as the way the elements are placed throughout the design gives the overall design, stability. The use of design principles emphasis is highly evident in this artwork. Right of the bat, the character of the girl holding an oil lamp is likely to catch the viewer's attention. Aside from that, the artist uses a warm bright yellow color to create a contrast against the dark background that can be seen in the design. On the other hand, the tree elements that are repeated in the artwork create repetition be it- the size of the shapes, colors, lines adding the level of aesthetic, depth of feel, and unity to her work. Although, the use of limited color palettes such as yellow, white, black, and grey of different hues and tonal values, the artwork eventually creates consistency of their similarities on the visual elements through the tight color harmony. Not only that but movement is also achieved in this artwork as it leads the viewer's eyes through the lighter shades of grey that represent the path. This artwork also depicts a good proportion of scale and size between the trees and the girl (character). Overall, this artwork brings harmony and unity as all of the elements fit together and give a feeling of 'oneness'.
Phase 3: Interpretation
This is an illustration work created by Kathrin Honesta, an illustrator and graphic designer from Jakarta. Realizing that she wanted to do something creative growing up, she pursued her study in Kuala Lumpur at The One Academy (Majoring in Advertising & Graphic Design). Looking at most of her artwork, the artist meticulously spins her personal stories, faith, observations, longings, and fantasies into her vivid illustrations. I believe that the artist spends most of her time focusing on the shape, color, design, composition, expression, and narrative in her artwork. It seems that all of her artwork each tells the story that everyone eventually relates to. Back to the illustration work, I believe that the artist illustrates in order to cater the context that even if we hit a rock bottom or seem unsure about what the future holds for us, lights will guide us home. The character of the girl holding the oil lamp may represent that she has been trying to find her way/path despite the fears and bouts of darkness. Besides that, I believe there might be a reason why Kathrin Honesta depicted the artwork, as it promotes a sense of hope through the experiences or emotion in which the human figure tries to convey that when the darkness comes, keep an eye on the light, whatever that is for us, no matter how far away it seems- follow the light.
IDEA EXPLORATION
To start off, I started to look up a few artworks that relate to the previous visual analysis I did on the 'Light Will Guides You Home'. I spent most of my time listening to music as it is the only thing that keeps me sane. Here is one of my favorite artist, Kim Jong Dae from EXO (Chen) closely tells the story of his personal life through various charms including his songs, title song, warm lyrics, and even his meaningful album covers that are interrelated. Hence, I get inspired a lot by the album cover as they are all aesthetically pleasing and I am obsessed with all the colors and elements used. Hats off to the illustrators- Kwak Myeongju (1st artwork), Yu Jeong Eom (2nd artwork), and Haamjuhae (3rd artwork) in which they convey the story incredibly.
 |
| Figure 1.2: Chen's Album Cover |
 |
| Figure 1.3: Chen's Album Cover Description |
Therefore, I wanted to incorporate my illustration in response to the visual analysis I did in a way that it conveys the message of the artwork similarly how Chen's album cover tells the message. Below, are a few illustrations that I personally like as I intend to demonstrate a bright version of the artwork as it gives the positive vibes in an impactful way.
On the other hand, inspire by Kathrin Honesta's artwork specifically on the artwork ('Light Will Guides You Home'), her artworks are inspired by her reflective thoughts and faith in which the artist loves to use symbolism and visual metaphors to add layers to her works. Therefore, to represent her artwork, I incorporate Kathrin Honesta's artwork, relating to a song by Coldplay titled 'Fix You'. Whereas, in response to my artwork, I wanted to incorporate a song which is also by Coldplay titled 'Yellow'. Below are my take on the description of the songs that I incorporate.
Figure 1.5: Incorporate Song Description
Hence, I wanted to create a design that reciprocates Kathrin's artwork (Light Will Guides You Home) eventually progress with my design (Look How They Shine For You). In Kathrin's artwork, the girl seems struggling where the idea of her waking up and going through all day may seem unbearable as there seemed to be no hope and she might probably feel scared, lost, and everything surrounds her seems confusing. Knowing that everything in life itself is temporary and nothing lasts forever, life will always be messy in some ways and will be unbearable at times. Therefore, I wanted to portray in my illustration that to every downside, there is an upside. Life is a nice gift, and the world is beautiful and there are many beautiful people, places, and things worth living for.
 |
| Figure 1.6: My ugly sketch |
Then, I started to illustrate my ugly sketch in AI, and below are my progress.
Initially, I wanted to illustrate something similar that continues to Kathrin's illustration in which 'Light Will Guides You Home'. I decided to incorporate autumn as I do believe that, autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go in which the girl went through the dark path alone with her oil lamp. Therefore, life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall and she's eventually heading to a bright place that shines on her, which is in response to my artwork 'Look How They Shine For You'. I decided to remain the girl (character) and create something opposite to Kathrin's artwork, by using bright colors as well as giving positive vibes to the illustration.
 |
| Figure 1.7: First Draft |
As to emphasize the 'light', I decided to add the lamp post which shines on her in which it may represent that the darker the bad times, the brighter the light that shines on you.
 |
| Figure 1.8: Added Lamp Post |
Lastly, I decided to add the cloud as a background rather than the plain white background as it gives more autumn cozy vibes to it. As the autumn leaves fall down like pieces into place, it eventually tells that she has been pictured 'that moment' after all these days.
 |
| Figure 1.9: Added Cloud Background |
After receiving feedback from Dr. Charles, he suggested illustrating different characters as the character looks identical to the original illustrator. Hence, based on Dr. Charles's suggestion, I made amendments to the character.
 |
| Figure 2.0: Dr. Charles's Comment |
Below is my final progress on the character.
 |
| Figure 2.1: Amendments on the Character |
Then, after I completed my illustrations, I noticed that they are a few similarities and differences in the artwork that tells the story in their own way.
 |
| Figure 2.0: Similarities and Differences on the Artwork |
FINAL SUBMISSION
 |
| Figure 2.1: 'Look How They Shine For You' |
 |
| Figure 2.2: 'Look How They Shine For You' - GIF |
Visual Analysis Rationale:
In response to my artwork, I wanted to convey a message through my illustration that anyone can relate to. Everyone has their own silent battles that we don't know of. Therefore, the girl in the illustration tells the message that you can hang in there even longer by looking at how long you have already been holding on and that you're still here, fighting and trying to make things better. Although it can be hard and tough, exhausting, tiring, and it can be excruciatingly frustrating. Know that you are still worth the growth, healing, recovery that you are despite the darkness invading your mind. Hence, live for yourself, so that you can look back in years and confidently say out loud "wow, I'm glad I endured and survived the rough patch, and I'm here".
Design Principle Applied:
• Harmony & Unity- create a sense of togetherness in terms of color, shapes, space, and texture
• Contrast- the light shines on the girl & the overall color of the design
• Repetition- repeated elements of the leaves, fence, houses, tree and etc
• Emphasis- main focus on the girl in the center
• Movement- the road path/ the girl on the path lead the viewers' eyes and the light movement
and that concludes Project 3!
FEEDBACK
Week 13:Dr. Charles commented that I've provided a detailed analysis and he loved the idea of incorporating Coldplay songs in each artwork. He also found it attractive as I did associate music in my design progress. And Dr. Charles believed that songs are essentially poetry in which gives a better understanding of the illustration/design.
REFLECTION
At the beginning of this module, I had literally zero knowledge of design principles and how design principles basically work. But along the way, I find myself slowly loving this module and I've been looking forward to every week for this class. 14 weeks have passed by, and I gained a lot of knowledge and new skills that are not only for design principles but also for other subjects. I learned new principles that I never knew existed in which its basically always associate with our daily life. For this particular project, I've been procrastinating a LOT and also juggling other assignments which eventually pushed me till the last minute to pick up and start my work. Truth to be told, I found myself struggling and there were a few times, I even questioned myself if I was creative enough to come up with something different and convey a message to viewers but with constant feedback from Dr. Charles, I've improved week by week. Other than that, Dr. Charles also provides us with a lot of suggestions and encourage us to explore in different ways in regards to our artworks.
Comments
Post a Comment