2/10/2021 / Week 11
Shofwa Alyadiena / 0350019
Final Project - Visual Analysis
Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
LECTURES
Week 11
This week we were given the briefing on visual analysis to reference as a start to our final project. Visual analysis has three phases; observation, analysis, and interpretation. During the observation phase, it's important NOT to search up explanations of the design we want to analyze. The main process in this phase is to observe directly what we see and translate them into our own words.
The second phase, analysis, is where we input our thoughts of what design principles we believe the illustrator used on their work. Whether it's balance, symmetry, repetition, and so on. This is where we make our own conclusions, still without knowing what the actual design is about.
Interpretation is where we get to find out explanations from trusted sources. Here we describe what we inferred from those sources and create our own description using the facts gathered. Details like dates or specific information we didn't know before will be used in this phase.
INSTRUCTIONS
Part 1 - Visual Analysis
Observation
The first step in visual analysis is to observe the design we found. After scrolling through Pinterest, I found a certain style that caught my eye. I retrieved the artist's name from the Pinterest post, and stopped myself from searching any further as it would disturb the raw observation process.
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| Fig. 1.1 Illustration by Alphonse Mucha |
This illustration is an extended portrait. The artwork uses thicker lines that isolate elements of the design and thinner lines for details. At first glance, we can see the central element of the design is the character. There is a spirograph-like circle behind the person, and the entire design is bordered, although using a disconnected border. There is also faint writing at the bottom right corner. The colors are warm, using a combination of red, orange, and yellow, and a dark lime color for the flower stems. The plants take up the bottom half of the overall design. I can't identify what's behind the skirt on the left. There is a flower on the person's head, and has the same color as the hair.
Analysis
The most prominent principle the design uses is harmony in colors. The emphasis is the person on the top half of the image, using the contrast of bright yellowish colors compared to the dark red that fills in most of the art. There's a very small bit of the principle of closure in gestalt on the border surrounding the circle. The circle itself behind the person's head has repetition in its details. The entire image has approximate symmetry from the left and right side. Movement is suggested on the entire bottom half by the robe's shadings and the bent stems of the flowers. Unity is evident in this piece as everything around the person is closing in on them.
Interpretation
Alphonse Mucha was a Czech painter that lived during the Art Nouveau period, hence why his artworks can easily be recognized as a part of that period. According to what I've found, the original painting is titled 'L'amethyste' because it's actually purple! 'L’amethyste' is a part of Alphonse Mucha's series, 'The Precious Stones' which features four paintings that each had a specific theme of a precious stone; Topaz, Ruby, Amethyst, and Emerald. The flowers and flowing hair or cloth are consistent in Mucha's works, along with harmonious warm colors. Mucha wanted his works to be accessible to ordinary people as he believed that higher quality in art will improve life for everyone.
The harmonious colors are pleasing to the eyes and let us understand the intention of peace. The movement of the flowers with hair and garments helps us perceive the artwork as “real” and makes us feel like a soft breeze is passing by. Both the harmony and movement are meant to radiate a calming sensation. Knowing a bit of the background for the artwork, the purple colors are meant to resemble that of the precious stone it’s based off of, an amethyst. The feminine figure gazes into the distance instead of directly at the viewer, unlike what’s seen in ‘L’emeraude’ or ‘La topaze’. Lastly, I believe the optimal use of space really shows how much dedication Alphonse Mucha has in creating his works for the people to enjoy.
A more accurate image of the original painting can be found from this link.
Part 2 - Design
Visual Research
As per the objectives, the next thing I should do is create a design as a response to the art i've analyzed visually, or create a design inspired by it in general. Before getting any solid ideas,
At first I searched up "Art Nouveau" to figure out more of the style in that era, only to find that Alphonse Mucha's works are the predominant search result. I placed it there as I will most definitely take bits and pieces of the styles for my design.
After scrolling a bit further, I found more examples of other modern artists trying out the same style. After comparing the two I've concluded that natural life is what this era likes to have painted, along with what Ms. Jinchi said about 'Femme Fatale' during the period. It's a cool concept that I'd like to try adding into my design. Another detail that's consistent is the framing of the artwork, whether it's with circles or arches.
Exploration
I started sketching the idea I had onto my device. I thought about the pose first, mostly because I needed to make sure it fit the theme of women becoming more confident and a shy pose won't do. I wanted to do something similar to the original references and aimed to make the figure lay down.
After that was done, I realized the pose looked too closed and was exactly what I wanted to avoid. The next idea was to base the design off of violet flowers, so I thought it would be good to make the bottom of the robe be shaped like a flower faced flat on the floor. I proceeded to add the smaller details with the circle and added the expression to help get a feeling for it.
Once that's dealt with, I was quite satisfied with what I had so far, so i moved on to deciding what my first draft will be like. I gave her a flower shaped hair as it's also accurate to keep the updo hairstyles. I then added a general sketch for where I want more flowers to be in on the bottom half.
Finalizing the first draft, I added a bit of a rim to the robe and decided to do a little of cross hatching on the start of the skirt to look more like a flower. There are still some things I think I could fix, but other than the large white space between the borders, I can't quite put my finger on what yet.
As written below in the feedback section I was given the suggestion to attempt applying shapes from Southeast Asian cultures, but I wasn't familiar with it and doing so wouldn't make much sense either as the flower I am aiming to use, violets, doesn't mean much in general within Asian regions.
To further clarify the concept, I chose violets because it represents love, and more recently has adopted the symbolism of love between women. According to the Florgeous website, violets also represent determination. I decided to just roll with it regardless.
I first used figure 3.4 as a reference for the violets and worked on remaking the circle's details and cleaning up the sketch.
Then, I tried out different color combinations in monochromatic or analogous shades. In order the combinations are blue-purple, pink-orange, and then yellow-green. I personally believe pink-orange is the best
After reviewing Ms. Jinchi suggested the green-yellow combination was better and I agree. Unfortunately I realize it was once again the color difference between my tablet and the computer screen so my original preference was too blended with one another. I moved on to shading and rendering the piece.
Final Design
To wrap up the final project, I will explain in more detail the principles used behind this piece. First of all, the principle of closure is present in the background, closing in on the circular design behind the person. The colors used in this design is harmonious and uses yellow-purple complementary for more dynamic effects. Movement resides in the bends of the violet stems and within the circular motion of the spiral. There's approximate symmetry with the balance being fit in the middle but the arms and pose leaning just a little more to the right than it is to the left. Repetition is evident in the violet patterns throughout the entire image.
B. PDF
Fig. 4.2 Final PDF (26/11/2021)
Feedbacks
General Feedback
Something I've gathered from listening to the feedbacks from my classmates were to make sure that observations were purely from observing, and that the analysis needed to be clear with what it's telling.
Specific Feedback
The specific feedback I received before I started my design was a simple reminder that I needed the design to be clearly my own, with a separate meaning that can be told easily through it. Next meeting Ms. Jinchi suggested that the mural on the circle could use shapes from Southeast Asian culture. Lastly, in the final consultation week I was advised to go with the green-yellow color instead and give a bit of contrast with some purplish tones.
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