[d]sign in [d]lirium

Storybook

2008-04-23T02:21:00.003+08:00

this is our final product!

Gestalt Principles

2008-04-23T02:09:00.004+08:00

for lecture 08, we learnt about Gestalt Principles where we were taught about the concept of figure and ground, proximity, similarity, continuity and closure. we were then expected to use this knowledge to analyse 2 posters; a good one and a bad.

good poster

bad poster

Analysis of Vantage Point Poster using Gestalt Principles

Figure and ground

Similar elements are contrasted with dissimilar elements to give the impression of a whole. In Vantage’s Point poster, the man holding a gun stands out as the figure while the negative space is perceived as ground

Contrast is present with the black figure against the white background.

There are more details in the figure than the ground.

The relationship between the figure and ground is stable as it is easy to pick out the picture of the man from the background.

Closure

Closure suggests a visual connection or continuity between the different elements that are not touching one another. The picture of the man is not complete. We perceived the picture of the man even though what are present in the poster are just blocks of shapes. This is because, the different blocks are arranged in a way to lead user to perceive that the picture should be connected.

Within the perceived figure of the man, there are several sub small pictures that exhibits closure. We perceived some pictures as being together even though they are not joined.

Proximity

Even when the shapes of blocks are different, they are close to one another to appear as a group. The collective presence of elements becomes more meaningful than when they are viewed as separate.

Symmetry/Order

There is a sense of rhythm and continuance. There is an orderly arrangement of elements which creates harmony. Figure of the man is divided into logical patterns that allows user to make sense out of the poster.

In addition, the leading introduction, “8 strangers, 8 point of views, 1 truth” give a sense of continuance. In the perceived figure of the man, there are 8 different small pictures featuring different characters. Hence, it is in order with the leading introduction.

The leading introduction leads viewer to view picture from the top to the bottom.

Good use of Gestalt Principles
This poster is organized. The placement of the pictures makes the poster looks orderly and there is a sense of continuance.

In addition, the placement and usage of fonts are neatly done. This is pleasing to the eye. Viewers see the picture from the leading introduction (head) to the title (body).

The picture is unified and simple, yet providing details to viewers.

Visual Characteristics

As mentioned, less than four colours should be used in a poster so that poster would not look cluttered. Vantage Point’s poster used mainly 3 colours; black, white and red.

The title of the movie stands out in the poster as red stands out from the monochromatic scheme.

In addition, the picture is proportionate.

Analysis of Monster Truck Advertisement using Gestalt Principles

Figure and Ground

There is no distinctive element in the picture plane as the elements are all over the place thus there is no visual center in this advertisement.

There is no stark contrast as the elements in this advertisement are competing for attention. There are too many details in the advertisement that distracts the viewer from focusing on one element.

The concept of negative and positive space is not applied here.

Proximity

All the elements are cluttered. The elements are disorganized.

Similarity

There is no sense in harmony in this advertisement. There are inconsistencies in the typography, the colours used and the types of visuals. There is too much going on that the concept of contrast is being overlooked.

Continuity

There is no direction or flow in this advertisement. There is no sense of rhythm amongst the elements due to the clutter of elements in various parts of the advertisement. The advertisement seems “busy”.

Improvements

The designer could have used the concept of visual center to create a focal point so that the attention of the reader could be directed towards it. The interplay between positive and negative space can assist in this contrast between elements.

The use of dominance between elements can create a difference in proportion. The designer could have played with difference in sizes in the typography and visuals.

The advertisement could also be improved by applying the concept of visual or colour harmony. This is to create a sense of unity between the elements.

The organization of the elements can be arranged to give it a sense of direction and flow to direct the attention of the reader in a continuous form.

Final Product (LOVE Greeting Cards)

2008-03-20T00:44:00.006+08:00

for this week we are taught about the colour palette, the various colour schemes and the concept of colour contrast and colour harmony. We are also exposed to the psychology of colours and how each colour has its own meaning. with that in mind we are supposed to create a greeting card with a love theme, playing around with the concepts that we taught.

i have different layouts using the differing concepts but i have decided to narrow down to two layouts.

first card
i have decided to use the warm colours for this first card.

second card

comments from peers : most preferred the first card because of the placement and simplicity of the card. they commented that the background colour of the first card should be changed as it looks like a cheap paper. however most commented that the second card is a bit weird for a love card as blue was used. some mentioned that they like the design and playing with elements but added that it would be better to use the warm colours. also i received the suggestion of not using the orange highlights around the wordings.

***IMPROVED VERSION***

i have decided to do the first card and work on it. i have changed the background with a pink gradient. i have also changed the colour and the font of the word "LOVE".

yup that's my take on this assignment.
pls comment!

"Art is making something out of nothing and selling it"
-Frank Zappa

Final Product (Poster Design)

2008-03-12T23:44:00.005+08:00

this week we learnt about visual principles, namely about visual elements and interaction. it is a large concept that covers about unity and contrast, visual harmony.We also learnt about controlling the attention of our viewer through proper placement of our elements.

with that in mind, this assignment is about designing a poster that surrounds around the theme of save, prevent or kill. i have pondered about doing themes on global warming or health issues but i have decided to do the theme of child abuse after i watched this documentary about domestic abuse. as i was doing research for this issue, im appalled by the fact that such acts still exist in Singapore. so here's my take on this assignment.

i decided to do something different with the orientation of the layout rather than the conventional linear orientation. the red streaks around the abusive father silhouette represent the blood and aggression of abuse. the lego bricks are used to construct the barrier as the theme is about children. the butterflies around the little girl silhouette represent a sense of happiness and freedom.

comments from peers: they like the way i used a different orientation. some mentioned about taking away the red streaks of the abusive man as it is quite distracting. i also received comments about making the enclosed space more obvious to show the difference in space. a friend added to improve on the alignment of the text. another mentioned about using red butterflies for the girl so that it would show a sense of freedom and happiness.
comments from tutor : he said that it is a modern take on this issue. he added that i could possibly add a child inside the enclosure with the abusive man to emphasise the point of child abuse.

*** IMPROVED VERSION***

i have decided to make the enclosure more obvious to show the curbing of the abuse and at the same time the freedom the child gets. i have also changed the colour of the butterfly and added flowers to show a more vibrant mood.

what dya think of my work?
comments most welcomed!

"A painting in a museum hears more ridiculous opinions than anything else in the world."
-Edmond de Goncourt

Final Product (U C what I C)

2008-03-05T23:35:00.006+08:00

this week we learnt about the concept of perception and the rule of thirds, relating to the golden mean and the Fibonacci numbers. using these concepts, we are assigned to do a photostory using no more than 10 pictures with no words. the catch is that we must have a twist.

i have searched online for possible stories with twists. some are about judging things on the surface which turn out not to be what it seemed so i decided to use that concept for my story.

here's my take on this assignment. inspired by independent films and my morbid life. haha! hope these pictures narrate the story im trying to bring across. look out for the twist!

i hope you enjoyed that. for this assignment, we are required to do a twist in our stories. as for those who didn't get it, my twist is that the girl is actually in a relationship with the other girl. story goes like this :
1. Girl A saw her "boyfriend" with another girl.
2. Girl A confronted the "boyfriend".
3. Girl A was pushed to the floor.
4. Girl A quarreled with "boyfriend" over phone.
5. Girl A cried badly.
6. Girl A decided to jump down.
7. Girl A died with a picture in her hands.
8. (Twist!) All along she was having problems with the girl, not the guy.

the pictures are made to be dark to depict the dark story of how love can lead into a tragic ending.

comments by tutorial peers: most did not get the twist, due to the last frame being not that clear that the two girls are lesbians. i think the girls can be more intimate in the photograph. and put the focus more on the photograph.

comments by alfred : he said that the story is quite weak. that the novelty of the story is not there although my pics do tell a story.

***IMPROVED VERSION***

taking into account the comments from my classmates and tutor, i have improved on the last two pictures.

i have added pool of blood as suggested by my peers to show the dramatics of the dead person. also i added a photo in her hands to link to the last frame.

for the last frame, i have changed the picture of the lesbian couple into a more obvious one that depicts their relationship as comments came in that it wasn't obvious. i have thus used a kissing lesbian couple picture.

"Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications,
offer an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution."
-Ansel Adams

inspired

2008-02-25T14:51:00.002+08:00

was watching the academy awards just now and somehow it inspired me to do something different for the next assignment. this upcoming assignment is about using pictures to communicate a story - solely using pictures and nothing else. yes i find it very challenging but i guess that is what this mid term break is for! time to get my brain juice flowing..

till then!

"A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art."
-Paul Cezanne

Final product (Abstraction)

2008-02-21T08:45:00.008+08:00

Here is my take on a coffee machine. I have decided to use this object because it is something i can relate to. Initially i wanted to do an abstraction of an activity because it is much challenging. I had in mind to illustrate a fashion show or a Thai cultural show but it proved to be too hard for me so i decided to stick to something familiar.

During the e-week tutorial, many comments were received from my peers about how i could improve on my abstractions. I will take into account each comments and make my work much better! Thanks so much for the comments mates!

Improvements to go!

"Art is literacy of the heart"
-Elliot Eisner

Abstraction under construction

2008-02-20T12:20:00.004+08:00

it is funny how your everyday routine can turn out to be a source of inspiration. well, at least for me for the next assignment. and through this assignment, i have learnt how symbols have been derived through the process of abstraction and how important details are. using stereotypes could also help make a symbol more understandable. also, the fact that different cultures attach different meanings to one symbol so we have to take into account that difference when we are making a symbol.

alright back to work..
stay tuned!

"Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything."
-Eugene Delacroix

Final Product (Me, Myself and I)

2008-02-12T23:00:00.002+08:00

finally i have completed the final product! thanks to illustrator and photoshop i have succeeded to create a decent work for our first assignment.

this is my "love" prototype. the first 3 letter of my name (Rah) is made out of a cd-player, wires and headphones. the "M" is made out of 2 cd covers and the last 2 letters (an) are made out of a microphone with wires. the staff lines and musical notes in the background are created using photoshop.

this is my "hate" prototype. the first letter (R) is made up of a picture of me whilst the rest of the letters are made up of a tomato, a leek, a capsicum, an onion and a pea-pod respectively. my initial "R" was actually an illustration of another vegetable but i changed it to a picture of myself looking disgusted and pushing the plate so that it communicates my hate for vegetables.
feel free to comment on my works!

"Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in."
-Amy Lowell

comments from alfred:
he said that the "hate" drawing was represented well.
did not say much about the "love" prototype.

comments from peers:
none.

Final Draft

2008-02-07T04:44:00.000+08:00

this is only the first assignment and im getting the jitters! i learnt that using illustrator requires a LOT of patience..and time! still doing up the final draft and trying to be meticulous..hoping to complete this through the weekend!

hanging on!

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes."
-Scott Adams

Week #3

2008-02-02T12:19:00.000+08:00

this week we are looking at the developments of our first assignment "Me, Myself and I". we are supposed to portray our likes and dislikes through illustrations incorporated into the letters of our names. here are some of the preparatory sketches that i've done to reflect my favourite and my peeve.

my like: music
i love music so it naturally came to me about what to draw. i decided to give different themes to each concepts that i drew.

my hate : vegetables
im not really a fan of vegetables so i decided to portray that in this section. i actually find it hard to use the same idea of having a theme for every concept so i just drew whatever that came to mind. and i realised that not only i hate vegetables, i hate drawing them too!

choosing two concepts i further developed the form of the illustrations. i have mashed up certain elements from all four concepts and came up with 2. and now i just have to decide which concept i would like to have for the final draft and complete our first task!

comments that i received from my peers about my 2nd draft of this assignment are to change certain parts of my drawings to make the letters clearer.

back to work!

" If you want to have clean ideas, change them as often as you change your shirts."
-Francis Picabia