___________
7 November 2022 - November 2022
(Week 8 - Week 10)
Christine Tan Yuen Yan / 0344039
Design Principles GCD 60804 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Christine Tan Yuen Yan / 0344039
Design Principles GCD 60804 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Final Project_Visual Analysis
LECTURES
Week 10 Tuesday 1/11/2022
Visual Analysis can include three phases.
Phase 1: Observation
Phase 2: Analysis
Phase 3: Interpretation
Phase 1: Observation
Observation means closely looking at it and identifying the visual elements
of a design, trying to describe the work in more careful detail in our own
words. And try not to read beforehand about the design at all. The
Observation phase is about looking, thinking and finding good language to
communicate what we have noticed.
Phase 2: Analysis
This phase, it requires us to think about our observations and try to make
a statement about the work based on the evidence of our observations. We can
be more specific on the visual elements that we have identified combined
together to create a whole and the effect that whole has on the
viewer.
Phase 3: Interpretation
In the final phase, our observation, description and analysis of the work
are combined with facts about the design work. A few questions can be
considered 'What is the meaning of the design?' 'What was the purpose for it
to be created?'
INSTRUCTIONS
Part 1: Visual Analysis, we need to select a design of our own choice it
can be either; a poster, billboard, illustration and etc. Write about 500
words about the artwork that we choose ourselves for the visual
analysis.
Part 2: Create a work of design of ourselves, in A4 or A3 size, that is
been inspired by the artwork we have analysed. Write about 150 - 200 words
about the rationale for our artwork.
Things to do
- Complete Part 1 (Visual Analysis) and Part 2 (Design)
- For Part 2, do some research, idea exploration, idea development, final
idea, rationale all descriptions and final reflection that must be uploaded
to our blog before the submission date.
PART 1_VISUAL ANALYSIS
Fig 1, 仕女图 by 杨凯歌 （lady figure by Yang Kai Ge), Sources:
小红书：’杨凯歌‘
Rationale
The reason I choose this artwork Fig 1 is due to I was attracted by
the colours, it brings a visual impact. I like the idea of how she uses modern styles to draw Chinese
traditional's clothing and musical instruments.
1. Observation
Fig 1 is an artwork created in a landscape format and it focuses
more on the clothing, ladies' gestures and the musical instrument. In this
piece of artwork, there are a few details that I have observed such as
each character their face following the direction of the musical
instrument that they are playing. Secondly, the shape differences in the
musical instrument, an oval shape that is known as the Pipa
( the Chinese lute or Chinese guitar), a slimmer version of a
cylinder (knowns as Dizi, a Chinese Transverse Flute) and consists
of a few cylindrical shapes tied together which is known as Sheng
(a mini-organ that played with the mouth). Moreover, the colours
that I have observed in this artwork have lemon colour as the decorations
of the hair pieces, black colour for the hair, cream colour for the faces,
the colours fuchsia, red and blue-green (blue cyan) as part of the
background and clothes. The colour combination consists of both warm and
cool tones, one of the Pipa is cloured with a neutral tone colour beige.
In this artwork, they have slender eyes, full rounded noses, smallmouth
and thin eyebrow and their hairstyle is tied up and adorned with some
jewellery.
2. Analysis
fig 1.2, Emphasis, Contrast and Abstract in ' 仕女图' (The Lady
Figure)
The art's composition is composed of principles of
Emphasis, Rhythm & Repetition and Contrast.
The principles of Emphasis that are used in this artwork, is
she uses bold colours to draw her work instead of using
soft subtle colours. The entire colour presentation is very strong yet
the vibe is slightly dark hence the artist uses the colour cream to
brighten it up or else the entire artwork will bring a dark vibe
(kinda resembles a horror scene). Fuschia is a mixture of warm
and cold tones, a playful colour that is sophisticated when paired
with cool and dark tones such as the colour of red, bright
red, black, blue cyan, lemon yellow and a little bit of light
blue.
The principles of Rhythm & Repetition that are used in
this artwork, are some lines are created on the clothes to have some flowing rhythm, hence
the entire artwork won't look so dull. The characters were positioned
close together it showing balance and all are faced in one direction
which also resembles a regular rhythm on them. Repetition is included in
the repeated styles of the clothes and the shapes of the face.
The principles of Contrast that are used in this artwork, the
artist uses high-value contrast which has a big difference between the
light and dark value the colours that have the lightest value is cream
colour and the darkest colour is deep red. Also creates a high colour
contrast by using complementary colours such as bright red, blue, lemon
yellow and cream colour.
3. Interpretation
"The Lady Figure" is an art that used acrylic art by Yang Kai Ge knowns
as '杨凯歌' a Chinese artist from China. Her series of art is more
focused on using the modern abstract art style to deduce Chinese ancient
art. The intention of her art is to bring attention to people about the
Chinese Figure painting history. The art also focuses on showing
wealth inequality in fashion, an example of a piece of art from a
famous Chinese Figure Painting history, known as 'Court Ladies Adorning
Their Hair with Flower' by Zhou Fang. The art piece of Zhou Fang
illustrates the ideals of feminine beauty, from the art,
Fig 1.3, 'Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flower' by Zhou Fang.
Sources from:
Chinadaily
Court ladies wore filmy long dresses that dragged along the flower and
its present elegant form. One can notice that court ladies pay attention
to their clothing, they have patterns on their dresses decorated with
floral or geometric motifs, and their dresses are made from high-quality
materials which as silk thus their gestures are very feminine and
elegant.
The wealth and status inequality in fashion shows in both artworks which
are the pattern and material of the clothing. Fig 1.3 floral and
geometric motifs appear on their clothing due to they had the luxury to
add them to their clothes, during those days to have patterns on clothes
is not an easy task as all is handmade and materials are expensive
moreover some materials are only permitted to utilize by the status of
the person, Such as the pattern of dragon and the material of gold and
yellow are only for the emperor, Mudan Hua (tree peony) known as
the national flower and pure red colour material are only for the
empress, thus during those days pattern is actually a symbol for people
to identify this person's status.
As for commoners, simple clothing to wear for them to wear is actually a
luxury for them, hence Fig 1, the lady's clothes have no patterns
which symbolize they are not from a wealthy family and their status is
commoners. Furthermore, regarding the hairstyles, as for Fig 1.3, court
ladies tied up their hair and decorated it with ornament (fazhan (发簪),
chai (钗) and etc) and it looks simpler, however on Fig 1, ladies wore
hair ornament that is more slight exaggerated, and their hairstyle is
not being tied up and they let it down their hair which looks messy,
thus shows the status as well, as, for high-status people, everything
about them is to present their status to people even the hair it holds
weight.
The ancient time already had such a solid mindset that higher-status
people deserve high-quality materials thus the lowest-status people, a
clothes for them to wear is already a luxury which shows such drastic
status differences and how important it is during those days. But even
now in the 21st century, is it still the same? Do people only allow to
wear certain clothes based on their status? Not really, people can wear
what kind of materials or what kind of style to wear however there is
one thing that still seems can't get rid of it - the display of wealth
through fashion, the majority of people have become more conscious about
public displays of wealth such as clothes, bags, and accessories. For
example, a simple white t-shirt without a logo sells 50 ringgit,
however, a simple white t-shirt with a logo can cost a thousand ringgit
and people will buy it because it shows wealth.
The fashion differences between the ancient time and the present, during
the ancient time, people are more focused on hair ornaments and clothes
materials. Today, people are more focused on a brand logo displayed on
items.
PART 2_DESIGN
VISUAL RESEARCH
Fig 1.4 sources:
'杨凯歌'
Fig 1.5, sources: Pinterest
Fig 1.6, sources:
AliExpress
While I was doing some research I find that Graffiti art is quite suitable
for what message I want to present. In my perspective, graffiti art is one
of a kind of art style that is surrounded by criticism, as people
considered Graffiti art vandalism however now people are slowly accepting
Graffiti art and some streets are well-famous due to Graffiti art,
sometimes is not about the place that attracts tourist but also the
graffiti art that is drawn on the walls.
Moreover, I feel that graffiti art requires audiences to pay attention to
their work hence for me I was inspired by Fig 1.6, include of the image
that I am about to draw and also utilize 'letter' to share the message
that I wanted to present which is 'wealth inequality in fashion.'
Fig 1.8 is a scene from the Chinese drama " The story of Yanxi Palace"
which presented to audiences how the Chinese ancient accessories look
like and how they should be worn. Such as the accessories that are made
from jade, gold, silver, semiprecious inlays, kingfisher and etc and it
is only reserved for royal members or among the wealthiest circle.
During those days, people typically wore their hair up, combed high in a
topknot. The grooming was practical as well as decorative, since cutting
hair was considered a serious breach of filial piety, as the ancient
Chinese believe that 'hair' and "skin" were given to us by parents and
we must cherish and love them.
The outfit in Fig 1.8, their outfits are more casual clothes, it is to
wear when meeting with the empress to pay their greeting during the
morning. Fig 1.7, it is for formal occasions or big ceremonies, court
ladies will be wearing the hairdresser called Feng Guan (凤冠). The portrait of Empress Wu Zetian shows how the look of a phoenix
headdress in the Qing Dynasty.
PROGRESS & IDEA EXPLORATION
Fig 2, sketch #1
Fig 3, sketch #2
The idea for my sketch #2 is present the Chinese ancient style of
headdress and some hair ornament, called '旗头板' in the Qing
Dynasty. The clothes are designed with all the modern branded
brands.
Fig 4, sketch #3
For Fig 4, it is also the same concept as figure 3, however, there is a
slight difference between figure 3 and 4, based on the rules and culture
of the Ancient Chinese, the style of hair adornment in Fig 3 only allows
for certain people based on their ranks, such as Imperial Noble Consort,
Noble Consorts, Consorts and Imperial Concubines. To identify their
status, adding more hair ornament able to represents this person's
position. However, Fig 4, is a five-phoenix cornet inlaid with kingfisher
feathers and jewels, also Dong pearls, always known as Empress's ornament
and only the Empress can have it and only the Empress can enjoy such
luxury.
Fig 5, sketch #4
Fig 6, sketch #5
For Fig 5 & 6, the concept was to combine the Ancient Chinese hair
ornament and modern brands together to show that although time has
changed, however, the idea of showing wealth through fashion has never
changed.
Fig 7, sketch #6
Fig 7, I draw this art from a further looking angle, the hairdresser style
is from the Qing dynasty and the clothes design is from the Qing Dynasty,
however, modern brand logos are surrounded it.
Fig 8, sketch #7
Fig 8, is another attempt that a girl swallowing all the brand's logo as
representing she wanted to have more, however, the hair is designed with
all these Chinese ancient accessories from the Qing Dynasty, which also
reflect that throughout centuries, presenting wealth through fashion is
never fade.
FINAL PROJECT_VISUAL ANALYSIS
"WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE"
Fig 9, "What's the difference" in A3 _ JPEG
Fig 9.1, "What's the difference" in A3 _ PDF
Rationale
I was inspired by the art from '杨凯歌’, when I looked at her work, I
decided to add some Ancient Chinese elements to my work as I have been
enjoying exploring the history of Ancient Chinese. After I made my
decision, during class Miss Yip mentioned that we need to think of
inequality in our work and I have a concept to present the inequality
of wealth through fashion, It is interesting that Ancient Chinese
liked to use fashion to represent their status, which includes of
clothes materials, different types of materials besides that, it also
interesting that how the Ancient Chinese based on people's status and
decide what kind of materials that they are allowed to use. Time has
changed, now we live in a more democratic time, people are allowed to
wear whatever kind of fashion they desire, however one thing that is
still in common which is 'Brand' 'Material', the idea of having a few
branded collection such as clothes, shoes and accessories. The
majority of them are still obsessed with the concept of showing wealth
through fashion.
So What's The Difference?
Throughout all the Dynasties in Chinese, people can identify a
person's status and wealth just by the design and materials of the
hair and clothes. Today, people judge a person's wealth through the
brands of their clothes, bag, shoe and accessories. I hope that my
work can bring a message to people that wealth is not just about
having branded items, and instead the most powerful way to present our
wealth is being healthy, as our health is our real wealth.
FEEDBACK
Week 11:
Need to elaborate further on Figure 1, and need to be more specific and
clearer on each phrase. Need to rearrange the description as some belong to
other phrases. Moreover, consider which inequality that us trying to present
through our work.
Week 12: For Fig 2, need to be more specific on which design
direction, and pay more attention to the details of the hair
ornaments.
Week 13: (Feedback regards to Fig 3, 4, 5 & 6)
For Fig 3, the visual is powerful, is quite interesting, and maybe the
letters can be more identified clearer, For Fig 4, the hair ornament is a
bit blurry to look at it as the details are not clear. Fig 5 & 6, is
interesting to combine the past and present elements together. For next
week's progression can try out some different styles and compare which one
is more suitable.
Week 14: (Feedback regards to Fig 7 & 8)
For Fig 7 the colour combination is nice, and for Fig 8, the girl looked
like she is swallowing the brand logo which is also a good idea for
presenting 'consumer' consuming all the branded logos. It is clear what kind
of style that I am going for thus Miss Yip feels that Fig 3 is good enough
to submit it however probably can adjust the lighting and have more white
space.
REFLECTION
Actually, at the beginning I did consider of using Adobe Illustrator to illustrate my work, however, I realise that my exercise and project 1 all used Adobe Illustrator hence I decided to try something new and now I do like it as I get to explore different areas. I am very satisfied with my work and I like the idea of my work, I feel more relaxed and excited about this Project, compare to other projects, probably due to the previous project hence I am more confident about what I suppose to do.
The reason why I like my concept is that when I was a kid I'm always drawn by the fashion from the Ancient Chinese, and now this project giving me an opportunity to be able to explore more about the Ancient Chinese, know more about the fashions and the hair ornament is very interesting for me. Moreover, throughout the whole process, I get to explore more about Graffiti style, and a little know-how about it. Is also a pleasing journey to see how my design has gotten improve from Fig 2 to my Final.
Quick Link
Design Principles _ Exercise
Design Principles _ Project 1
Design Principles _ Project 2
Design Principes _ Final Compilation and Reflection
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