Design Principles (Sem 1.5) Task 2- Visual Analysis

 27/2/2024- 12/3/2023 ( Week 4- Week 5)

Chai Wei Yi (0369561) 

Design Principles GCD60804

Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

TASK 2 (Visual Analysis)

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 Introduction 

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Task 2-Visual Analysis 

Title of Artwork: Save The Wave
Designer's Name: Ads of Words ( Company Name)
Year: 2013
Size: A4
Medium: Digital
Source link: click me to see picutre

Design Principles Used in the artwork by

• Balance (The Golden Ratio)
• Contrast
• Movement
• Principle of Closure

Phase 1. Observation

Firstly, this artwork is in portrait format, and the focal point that catches the eye is the fish in the center of the image. The artist hasn't employed complex techniques to depict the fish but has instead placed more emphasis on other elements. The second significant aspect of the entire painting is the depiction of the waves. The waves are detailed in two aspects: the first detail involves the artist accumulating trash to form the waves, and the second detail is related to the title of the painting and the text the artist intends to convey. The artist has opted for a simple color palette of white, blue, and black, avoiding intricate elements and colors. The elements and colors chosen by the artist make it easy for the viewer to discern the message that the painting aims to convey

Phase 2. Analysis

This design applies the Balance (Golden Ratio) principle effectively. The artist skillfully utilizes this point to attract the viewer's attention. The emphasis of this artwork is on the center of the entire composition - the fish gracefully swimming in the ocean. The depiction of the waves employs the principles of movement and contrast, showcasing the artist's adept use of these principles in shaping the waves. This successful application makes the waves appear more realistic and captivating. However, what prompts the most contemplation in the entire painting is the artist's adept use of the Principle of Closure in conjunction with the waves and the intended meaning. At the tail end of the waves, the artist incorporates elements of trash, cleverly combining it with the Principle of Closure to make it clear to the reader that the waves are composed of garbage. This is highly creative.

Phase 3. Interpretation 

Example 

These are examples I found online that look similar to the artwork I chose for Task 1 and Task 2. Firstly, they all share a commonality as they fall under my chosen UNSDG goal, which is "Life Below Water."

  Figure 1.0                    Figure1.1                      Figure 1.2

                           Picture 1                      Picture 2                            

The similarity among these artworks is their shared design topic, all aligning with UNSDG's 14th goal, "Life Below Water." Each of the selected artworks delves into the underwater realm, addressing issues like pollution and portraying the real situations beneath the water's surface. Crafting art related to the ocean demands significant skill, requiring the incorporation of various design principles to enhance richness, particularly through elements like movement and color contrast.

Regarding design style, these artworks employ a Flat Illustration design styleFlat-Style created using Adobe Illustrator. Flat Style in Adobe Illustrator emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, and a two-dimensional visual aesthetic. It utilizes basic geometric shapes, a limited yet bold color palette, and clean typography. This style avoids three-dimensional effects like gradients and shadows, opting for a straightforward, abstract representation without mimicking real-world textures. The use of Adobe Illustrator's vector-based tools, including the Pen Tool and Shape Tools, is common in creating precise and minimalist illustrations in the flat style.

Total:336 word

Weekly Feedback

Week 4-For phase 3, I initially misunderstood the requirements. I need to find more examples and identify similar design principles from them.

Week 5- recorrect the phase 3, focus on design style , not design principle 

Reflection

 Reflecting on these tasks, I would like to express that Task 1 served as an introduction to the concept of design principles. It laid the foundation by elucidating what design principles entail. Moving on to Task 2, it provided a practical demonstration of how these design principles synergize, contributing to the creation of artwork that not only captures the viewer's attention but also enhances its richness.

The most significant takeaway from these tasks is a heightened understanding of design principles and a more adept application of them in my artwork. Specifically, delving into the intricacies of design principles such as Balance (The Golden Ratio), Contrast, Movement, and the Principle of Closure has been immensely rewarding. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to learn about design principles, as they may be considered esoteric knowledge for those not immersed in the field of design. This experience has been a pleasant surprise, and I feel a sense of accomplishment and enrichment from the knowledge gained

Further Reading

"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman is a foundational work in UX design, offering invaluable lessons regardless of a designer's experience. It provides a fundamental perspective on the essence and importance of good design. Let's summarize the key principles:

Use both knowledge in the world and knowledge in the head. Users should seamlessly combine existing knowledge in their heads with information present in the design, making tasks easier to complete.

Simplify the structure of tasks. Reduce cognitive load through technology, providing mental aids, making invisible elements visible, automating where appropriate, and changing the nature of tasks.

Make things visible: bridge gulfs between Execution and Evaluation. Design should make actions visible during execution, matching users' intentions, and allowing them to evaluate the effects of their actions. Get the mappings right. Ensure controls' positioning and movements align with proximity, mimicry, or analogy to the things being controlled.

Exploit the power of constraints. Use constraints to guide users toward a single, correct action, reducing alternatives and simplifying decision-making.

Design for error. Anticipate and plan for human errors, providing escape routes or options to reverse mistakes. When all else fails, standardize.

Standardization
Becomes essential when arbitrary mappings and difficulties cannot be made visible within the design, providing consistency that requires training only once.

Conclusions: These seven principles form a solid foundation for understanding good UX design. Designers can gain deeper insights by delving into "The Design of Everyday Things." Observing these principles in the broader context of the world, not just within UX, highlights their ongoing impact.