Design Principles Task 2 / Visual Analysis

20.2.2024 - 5.3.2024 / Week 3 - Week 5
Tan Jian Xin / 0350784
Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 2 / Visual Analysis

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INSTRUCTIONS
In this task, we are required to evaluate, research, record and examine the artwork we chose for Task 1. We will study the design principles found in the artwork, as well as the size, placement, purpose, effectiveness of the design in relation to the UNSDG goal we've chosen.

Figure 1.1: Plastic Ocean by Tanya Protasova on April 25th 2022

Visual Analysis
Phase 1: Observation

This illustration is created by Tanya Protasova as the art challenge by Uliana Babenko to raise public awareness on the issue with plastic pollution in the ocean that ends up affecting both humans and marine inhabitants. According to the illustration, the dolphin entangled in a net is the main focus to the viewers as a blue lady with freckles and a coral on her hair is looking at her hand. Besides, the man sitting on a boat with his pet is also looking at the dolphin entangled in the net. The hair of the lady surrounds the light green section which is covered in plastic waste. The main colors observed in this illustration are blue, green, and white supported by orange red and brown as the corals and boat. Overall, it utilizes an analogous color scheme. Besides, the repetition of organic lines are applied throughout the composition.

Phase 2: Analysis

Figure 2.1: Emphasis in illustration

The emphasis on this design is on the hand of the lady as her eyes are looking at the dolphin entangled in the net. This is also shown as the man on the boat and his pet were drawn to look towards the entangled dolphin. Besides, the hair of the lady leads the viewers to look at the entangled dolphin, the boat and the polluted ocean (movement and flowing rhythm). 

Figure 2.2: Movement which results in hierarchy

There is harmony and unity in the overall composition as the lady and the polluted ocean are arranged to create an appealing illustration with analogous color schemes (blue and green). 

Figure 2.3: Proportion and scale

Furthermore, there is proportion and scale in the design as the usage perspective of the scene provides more depth to the illustration, resulting in hierarchy - first, we see the lady’s eye, followed by the entangled dolphin, the boat and the polluted ocean.

 

Figure 2.4: Close-up on plastic pollution and overfishing

Figure 2.5: Analysis

Phase 3: Interpretation

Figure 3.1: Representation of higher being - Ocean on Earth

This illustration created by Tanya Protasova is a digital illustration uploaded on Behance on April 25th 2022. I find this illustration conveys the urge to restore and protect life below water. This can be seen as the lady, which has features such as freckles and the coral on her head symbolizes a higher being - the ocean on the planet Earth, trying to save the marine inhabitants - the dolphin. However, her expression is seen to be helpless as she could not do anything to help them. Thus, it urges the man (humans) to take action to save the dolphin (marine inhabitants), not just watch. In my opinion, this illustration not only addresses the plastic pollution, but also the issue of overfishing. This can be seen as the green section represents the polluted ocean whereas the net that caught the dolphin represents overfishing.

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FEEDBACKS

Week 3
Enlarge the image of illustration so that the details are viewable for the audiences. Try to trace over illustration and point out the elements to enhance my visual analysis.