3 February 2025 - 17 February 2025 // Week 1 - Week 3
Racheal Tan Tze Rou // 0381005
Design Principles // Bachelor of Design (Hons) // Creative Media
TASK 1 (Exploration)
LECTURES
1. Gestalt theory
--Gestalt theory is a theory on how our eyes naturally sees visual elements as a whole instead of separately. This theory is divided into principles
Title: Sky and Water I
Artist: M.C. Escher
Year: 1938
2. Contrast
-The juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements to create visual interest, emphasizes a point and expresses content.
Title: Untitled (Your Body is a Battleground)
Artist: Barbara Kruger
Year: 1989
3. Emphasis
-Emphasis is used to create dominance and focus.
-Colour, shape and value can be used to achieve dominance.
4. Balance
-Balance is the distribution of visual weight in a design work. Visual equilibrium causes the appearence of balance.
Title: Delicate Balance
Artist: Daren Thomas Magee
5. Repetition
-Repetition creates rhythm and pattern in a design work which enriching surface interest.-Variety is vital to avoid monotony while repetition is used in a design work.Title: Marilyn Diptych
Artist: Andy Warhol
Year: 1962
6. Movement-Movement leads the eye in, around, and through a composition.
-Movement can be created by using shapes, forms, lines, and curves.
Title: The Great Wave off Kanagawa
Artist: Katsushika Hokusai
Year: 1831
7. Harmony & Unity
-Harmony is the sense that elements in a design work fit together in terms of theme, aesthetic style or mood.
Title: The Dance
Artist: Henri Matisse
Year: 1910
8. Symbol-Symbol is a sign, shape, or object that is used to present something else.
-Symbol can be used to convey information.
Title: Radiant Baby
Artist: Keith Haring
Year: 1982
9. Word and Image
-Suitable and relevant image is important to relate to a concept and a brand.
Title: I shop therefore I am
Artist: Barbara Kruger
Year: 1990
INSTRUCTIONS
TASK 1 : Exploration
Timeframe: 1 week (Week 2 - Week 3)
Deadline: Week 3
Title: Happily Ever After
Artist: Marc Dennis
Year: 2024
Size: 70.5 x 57.25 inches
Medium: Oil on linen
Marc Dennis' Happily Ever After immediately caught my attention because of the striking color contrast. It also mixes between classic still life realism and surreal elements. The painting is packed with natural elements, filling every corner with something to look at. Natural elements such as flowers, fruit, and bees, all set against a rich, warm background. Even with so much going on, everything fits together perfectly, creating a lively and energetic composition.
It feels like a traditional painting at first, but the colorful soap bubbles floating around give it a magical, almost otherworldly feeling. These bubbles bring a sense of movement and lightness, making the whole scene feel alive and delicate. The strong contrasts between the bright colors and the warm background make the scene feel vivid and full of life. I’m inspired by how Dennis mixes realistic details with a playful, surreal touch. Happily Ever After shows how traditional art can be turned into something imaginative and new.
REFLECTION
Throughout this task, I explored various design principles that shape visual communication, such as Gestalt theory, contrast, emphasis, balance, and movement. By analyzing iconic artworks, I gained a deeper understanding of how these principles influence perception and storytelling. For example, M.C. Escher’s Sky and Water I exemplifies Gestalt principles through seamless figure-ground relationships, while Barbara Kruger’s Untitled (Your Body is a Battleground) demonstrates bold contrast to create a powerful message.
One of the most intriguing discoveries was Marc Dennis’s Happily Ever After (2024). The fusion of hyperrealism and surreal elements captivated me, particularly the vibrant colors and floating soap bubbles, which add energy and movement. This artwork challenged my perception of traditional painting by showing how realism can be infused with imagination.
Through this exploration, I realized how important it is to apply these principles effectively in my own designs. Composition, contrast, and unity play a crucial role in guiding the viewer’s eye and evoking emotions. Moving forward, I aim to experiment more with these principles in my projects, pushing creative boundaries while maintaining clarity. This task has reinforced my appreciation for visual storytelling and the power of design in shaping perception.
Comments
Post a Comment