FINAL PROJECT: VISUAL ANALYSIS

Week 10 (26/10/2021) - Week 14 (23/11/2021)

Faith Aimee Choong Jia Yi [0345509]

Design Principles [GCD60804]

Final Project: Visual Analysis

LECTURE [25/10]

Visual analysis is a method of understanding design, by paying attention to the visual elements and principles used in a design piece. The purpose of visual analysis helps the designer to make better choices when creating a design as well as a better understanding of how to communicate ideas, content, or meaning through a design. 

It plays a crucial part in visual literacy, this skill helps others to read and decipher images. Since we're living in the 21st century, we are constantly bombarded with visual media. By practicing visual analysis it sharpens our judgmental skills and it helps us to find the answers to the problem.

There are three phases to undergo when doing visual analysis:

Phase 1: Observation

• Identifying the visual elements of a design.
• Describe what you can see in your own words (utilizing the design terms as well)
• This phase includes looking, thinking, and finding good language to express what you've analyzed.

Phase 2: Analysis

• This phase requires you to think more about your observations.
• The visual elements, you've identified, comply it together to create a whole and explain what effect does this wholeness has on the audience.

Phase 3: Interpretation

• This phase is the conclusion of your observation and analysis.
• Find the meaning, the purpose of your design. Why is it created?

Figure 1.0
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSoRLAB8QckReTf0qidTaPEBx-YLixk_8cERD14kYwgySEA3i2qoTqCxdcbN_MPFACBLTg&usqp=CAU

INSTRUCTIONS

FINAL PROJECT

Part 1: Visual Analysis

• Select a design of your choice
• Conduct a visual analysis of the design in about 500 words 

Part 2: Design

• Produce a work of design, in A4 or A3 size, inspired/influenced by the design you have analyzed, or as a reaction to it.
• Write a 150-200 word rationale for your design.

VISUAL ANALYSIS

Laura Berger is a Chicago-based artist, she is a minimalist painter who likes to use female figures link together to create this abstract formation. Her artworks often involve an exploration of identity, community, and connection.

Figure 1.1
"In My Feelings." (2020)

Figure 1.2
"We Wanted to Feel the Light." (2019)

Figure 1.3
"If I Were You." (2019)

Figure 1.4
"Strata." (2019)

The artwork I chose, to analyze, is "In My Feelings." (2020)

Figure 1.5 [Chosen Artwork]
"In My Feelings." (2020)

OBSERVATION:

This artwork is designed in an illustrative style. The main visual element I see is women figures, each in different shades of dark to light colors with the same facial features and expression. There are three women figures present in this composition and their limbs and bodies are entwining with one another. The visual element, standing as the focal point is also a women figure. I notice that there are some rounded balls in different colors which are glowing. The colors used in this design are standardized as it follows a consistent gradient or shading, such as red, pink, maroon, reddish-orange, and beige. This piece is a harmonized design.

ANALYSIS:

There is harmony present in this design due to the coordinating colors and the visual elements blending well together. This design is symmetrically balanced. The emphasis is on the three women entwining with one another however, the focal point falls on the women at the center. The difference between the center woman and the other two leaning against her is that the center woman holds these glowing balls in between her fingers. There is a sense of unity in this composition as the visual elements are closer to the focal point. The entwining movement of the women's limbs and bodies creates a sense of community or bond which makes this piece a whole. The facial expressions on each woman are similar or repeating. As for proportion, I can see that there is a slight hierarchy between the three women in this design, the woman in the center is the main focus whilst the other two women leaning against her are the supporting visuals to the main focus.

INTERPRETATION:

This illustration artwork was designed by Laura Berger, who is an artist based in Chicago. Her inspiration, for her designs, lies through rituals, symbols, nature, dreams, travel, our quest for self-development and freedom. The whole artwork is made of pieces compiled together to signify a whole or a belonging. As Berger stated, “As a woman, I usually paint from that perspective point, but the figures are really meant mostly to serve as characters through which to explore our collective humanity and shared experience." The title of the artwork "In My Feelings", gives me a sense of spiritual energy that involves harmony. It suggests a connection and sharing of feelings as to say we are all in this together. Although the artwork shows a character of women, it doesn't solely imply that this represents a bond between women but for everybody of various sex. This artwork was created for us to reflect that we are not alone, we have each other to lean against for comfort. We are in one mind, one body, and one soul.

FEEDBACK

By: Ms Jinchi

"Remove the phrase 'All in all...' as it leans more towards a phrase belonging to 'Analysis'. But overall she said that my visual analysis was fine."

VISUAL RESEARCH 

From Berger's artwork, I thought a lot about the message that was inscribed into the composition. I decided to do a piece that talks about me and my sister.

Figure 1.6 [Me & Sister]

Figure 1.7 [Me & Sister]

With glasses on, we may look like identical sisters but we actually have completely different faces, personalities, and interests. Inspired by the message and technique that Berger used in her artworks, I will make a composition that shows the differences me and my sister have.

Figure 1.8 [Board-Sister Differences]

To begin my visual research, I created a board that states about me and my sister's personalities, interests, and appearance. Each of our favorite colors is used, in the boards, to represent me and my sister.

IDEA EXPLORATION

At first, I didn't know how to begin my composition using Berger's artwork as an inspiration or start-up brainstorm. Until I came across this Fall & Winter 2021 magazine in UNIQLO which had an interesting illustration on the front cover that attracted me.

Figure 1.9

This magazine gave me an open book to different ideas on how to utilize Berger's technique of entwining in various ways. Instead of copying that technique, I decided to alter it by utilizing the principle of unity or harmony. I was also inspired by other illustration artworks such as.

Figure 2.0
https://i.pinimg.com/750x/5a/f7/8d/5af78dcc1b22caca1f2bf15107345700.jpg

Figure 2.1
https://i.pinimg.com/750x/a2/70/ce/a270cec8283a637a49a85b7f8d35bb29.jpg

I sketched a few layouts for my composition, before beginning the actual design. Each of these sketches shows the bond and unity of my sister and me.

Figure 2.2 [Sketch Layout 1]

Figure 2.3 [Sketch Layout 2]

Figure 2.4 [Sketch Layout 3]

FEEDBACK

By: Ms Jinchi

"She preferred the second sketch as it shows the bond we have as sisters (same pose-similarities) as well as the differences we have."

Looking back at my sketches, I also do prefer the second sketch because it shows our similarities in terms of the pose we both do. The third sketch also amuses me but I figured it is quite complicated to design in a way that shows our similarities as siblings. As for the first sketch, I find it too common.

After completing the sketches, I moved on to the coloring. I had two suggestions in mind for the coloring, the first design is utilizing colors from the image of where I traced this sketch whilst the second design is utilizing me and my sister's favorite colors. 

Figure 2.5 [Coloring Design #1]

The colors that show our similarities are our skin and hair tone. As to why I chose the skin and hair tone is because it symbolizes our genetics or DNA as siblings. Our color of clothing represents our differences in style and personality.

Figure 2.6 [Coloring Design #2]

Our favorite colors represent our differences as it also symbolizes our differences in personality. As for the similarities, I also utilize the idea of genetics and DNA by using the same color tone for our skin. 

I choose the color scheme of Figure 2.5 because I prefer the colors used and also I think it clearly gives a good contrast of the similarities and differences we share.

Figure 2.7 [Final Outcome]

From Berger's piece, I could see that she included facial expressions on each of her illustrations [women figures] but they all have the same expression. This is because Berger wants to create a message for all of humanity saying that we are all the same as humans.

FEEDBACK

By: Ms Jinchi

"She said that my final outcome reflects on the message that I want to convey and she mentioned that the colors are suitable as well as the exaggerated features like the lips and eyebrows give the characters more personality."

The facial features, I added are altered a little to show the different expressions because I wanted to show the differences me and my sister had while also showing the similarities we share by doing the same pose and having the same genetic color. I also included a shadow that is connected to my sister's shadow as a way to show the bond or the connection we share as siblings. I didn't include our glasses because there would be too many similarities present in this composition. As the aim was to show more differences than similarities.

REFLECTION

The first stage of this project was quite easy for me to handle as I've done something similar before. From the start, I wanted to do an illustration piece so I searched for a lot of illustration artworks that would give me an idea or inspiration to kick-start my final outcome. The hardest part was obtaining inspiration from the chosen piece, I chose from Berger's piece. It took quite a while for me to think of ideas for my final outcome. But I manage to come up with a quick idea that also follows Berger's message even though I had a heavy workload during that period. Overall I'm proud of my work, and I feel happy to be able to choose which design style I would like to go for this final project. 

SUBMISSION:

Visual Analysis

SOFTWARES:

• Adobe Illustrator