Design Principles/Final Project: Visual Analysis

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8.11.2022 - 4.12.2022/Week 11 - Week 14
Sim Jian Xiong (0356498)
Bachelor Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Final Project: Visual Analysis
LECTURE

Task Description:
  1. Observe & Assess: Design principles applied, size, placement in all aspects of visuals presented in the chosen work
  2. Investigate & Analyze: The purpose, and effectiveness of visual motifs in the chosen work based on the theme
  3. Sketch & Create: Produce an artwork that is inspired/influenced by this visual studies
Theme Description:
Express the interpretation of the theme "Reduced Inequalities" from chosen visual studies in an artwork that best capture the look and feel of the idea in the original design
Fig 1.1 Reduced Inequalities Artwork Example, Week 11 (8.11.2022)
INSTRUCTIONS
Final Project: Visual Analysis
I've been reading comics online recently and I came across a graphic novelization of "The Handmaid's Tale" by Renee Nault. It's a dystopian story where women were stripped of all their rights. I've picked the panel shown below for visual analysis.


Fig 1.2 page 28, panel 5, Week 12 (15.11.2022)
Visual Analysis
What I observed:
  • There are two identical women in thick red dresses staring at a group of tourists.
  • In contrast to the women, the group is wearing colourful and vibrant clothing, carrying handbag and cameras instead of baskets.
  • The lamppost and the road both act as barriers, dividing them, horizontally and vertically.
  • The building the two women are standing in front of is painted more vividly while the other parts of the street is painted more in a neutral colour of grey. It is also the only building appeared to have hung signs and an opened door.
  • The faces of the duo are paler and fairer than the faces of the tourists.
  • Throughout the work, the light is shining from the right side of the street, casting shadows on the women.
  • The sidewalk the two women are standing on appears to have some tiles drawn on, slowly fading away upwards. 
  • There is a lack of emotion, everyone seem stoic.
  • The streets are very clean
What I analyzed:
    • Because of the small-sized digital cameras, the viewer can say this work takes place in the modern era.
    • Because of the vivid brick pattern behind the two women, they’re further highlighted in this scene, as well as being on the darker side of the street.
    • The lack of emotion and warm colours traps the viewer into viewing the brighter and more detailed clothes of both groups first.
    • The lack of items around the area allows the viewer to focus on the two women and the group of tourists.
    After my observation and analyzation, I thought I would be interesting to recreate this scene in a different perspective.
    Fig 1.3 Inequality Progress #1, Week 13 (21.11.2022)

    My goal is to express inequality in this artwork by having a hand presenting two Handmaids to tourists as if they're zoo animals.

    I've shown my progress in Fig 1.3 to Miss Noranis and she said that there is a lack of perspective. She suggested me to add a wall and road.
    Fig 1.4 Lecturer's Feedback, Week 13 (22.11.2022)

    Fig 1.5 Inequality Progress #2, Week 13 (25.11.2022)

    Step by step progress (Left to Right)
    1. Final sketch. I couldn't fit everything into a horizontal plane as initially sketched.
    2. I trace the images using pen tool in Adobe Illustrator.
    3. Added a wall and road to provide perspective.
    4. To help highlight the Handmaids, I've given the tourists' shirts some pattern design, in contrast to the their bland, red robes. I've also given the hand in the foreground some shading.
    Final Submission
    Fig 1.6 Visual Analysis Final Submission "Inequality", Week 13 (25.11.2022)
    FEEDBACK

    Week 11
    Specific Feedback: None
    General Feedback: Try to get references from existing media like adverts 

    Week 12 
    Specific Feedback: Lack of perspective. Add a road and a wall behind.
    General Feedback: None

    Week 13
    Specific Feedback: None
    General Feedback: Update your blog
    REFLECTIONS

    Experience
    Honestly, I was rushing to complete this task as I have other tasks of different modules awaiting. I was struggling to find references from existing media and was lucky to come across the comic. I felt a moment of relief upon completing this final project.

    Observation
    I noticed that my weakness is when analyzing the visual reference. I just see things the way it is, wasn't able to analyze further. I remembered seeing a classmates' visual analysis through screen share. It was neat and the keywords were highlighted. In comparison, mine looks unorganized. And now, I regretted not asking her for tips.

    Findings
    I've learned that the way an artwork presents itself has more than meets the eye. I just can't see them yet. Perhaps reading a book on art analysis would improve my critical thinking.

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