DESIGN PRINCIPLES: Final Project/Visual Analysis

 

INTRODUCTION:

After the completion of Self-portrait, we were given some time to read the brief on the final project which is Visual Analysis regarding the Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) that comprises of 17 choices and we are required to choose one and express the messages or main key points in a form of design.

RECAP FINAL PROJECT: VISUAL ANALYSIS AND FINAL BLOG (40%)

Students are to utilize their understanding of design principles found in the design work. This project requires the students to assess, investigate, document and analyze a design material (billboards/television commercial/movie clip/work of design) of their choice. They should notice, size, placement, purpose, effectiveness, as well as aspects of design principles found in that work. 

Thereafter, they are to produce a work of design, inspired/influenced by the one they studied on, or as a reaction to it. They should also apply knowledge of design principles in their design. 

 

Final Blog: It must contain all the work you have done and completed for this module, along with a final reflection. 

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Pick one goal from United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). 

2. Select an art/design work that revolves around the goal of your choice. 

3. Explain, in about 50 words, why you chose that design and how it is related to that 

UNSDG goal. 

4. Write a 300- to 350-word visual analysis of the selected design (refer to Visual Analysis lecture notes). 

5. Create a work of design of your own, inspired/influenced by/reacting to the one you had analyzed. 

6. Write a 50- to 100-word rationale explaining and defending the decisions made in your design. 

 

In your FINAL PROJECT – VISUAL ANALYSIS post in the blog, include: 

1. a recap of Final Project brief 

2. your design process: 

2.1 visual references (designs that have inspired your own) 

2.2 idea exploration and description 

2.3 final outcome JPEG (A4 size) and a rationale 

2.4 feedback given by the lecturer 

2.5 a reflection about what you have learnt and discovered from Final Project. 

If you have any photographs as final submission or idea exploration, make sure that they are clear, taken from various angles and properly cropped. 

 CONTENT: 

1. Brief explanation about the chosen goal

2.Visual References

3. Idea Exploration and description

4. Final Design and a rationale

5. Reflection from Final Project

UNITED NATION'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL: 

I decided to go with climate change's impact on coral reefs in the ocean. Coral reefs functions as protection of coastlines from storms and erosions, provide jobs for communities and create opportunity for recreation, they are also used as source of food and medicine, about half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income and protection. 

Climate change impact on coral reefs:

• A warming ocean: causes thermal stress that contributes to coral bleaching and infectious disease.
• Sea level rise: may lead to increases in sedimentation for reefs located near land-based sources of sediment. Sedimentation runoff can lead to the smothering of coral.
• Changes in storm patterns: leads to stronger and more frequent storms that can cause the destruction of coral reefs.
• Changes in precipitation: increased runoff of freshwater, sediment, and land-based pollutants contribute to algal blooms and cause murky water conditions that reduce light.
• Altered ocean currents: leads to changes in connectivity and temperature regimes that contribute to lack of food for corals and hampers dispersal of coral larvae.
• Ocean acidification (a result of increased CO2): causes a reduction in pH levels which decreases coral growth and structural integrity.

Infographic on coral reefs:

In conclusion, I'm going to try to express the severity of coral extinction due to human actions. 

VISUAL REFERENCES: 

figure 1.2 Artwork by Isabella Lee for Daily Bruin

PHASE 1: OBSERVATION

The design work is in a landscape format. For the visual elements, the design uses mainly shades of blue, white, contrasting warm colors that represents the colors of sea life. The overall design is harmonious in color coordination. There are organic lines over the whole design, with soft lines that blends in well with color of the corals instead of black lines. The design shows two different scenarios of how the increase of temperature will cause a phenomenon called 'Coral Bleaching' (Left) and healthy coral reefs (right). The comparison is divided clearly with a slanted vertical line in the middle.

PHASE 2: ANALYSIS 

The design is asymmetrically balanced. Somehow the emphasis is created towards the bleached corals on the left since the size drawn is larger then the rest. The intricate line from the left side gives the corals volume and depth despite the monotonous color throughout. Furthermore, the shades of blue used in the picture creates a fitting atmosphere for both side creating contrast, for instance, the left side has a darker shade of blue to contrast with the bleached corals, it also explains the dullness of the sea after being polluted The right side shows a lighter color of blue to blend in well with the warm colors of coral as to not overwhelmed the design with too much vibrancy, overall showing the sea/ocean in lighter shades represents an unpolluted sea with the protection from coral reefs. There is harmony and unity in the overall composition that are arranged to complement each other. 

PHASE 3: INTERPRETATION 

The design was produced by Isabella Lee for the Daily Bruin, UCLA awareness for the rising temperature of earth that would effect the rise of sea level causing frequent storms that would cause coral bleaching. The illustration style could be considered as a Flat style, this graphic design trend blew up in 2020, most visual communication for apps, websites and editorial illustration uses Flat style for it's simplistic and minimal look. Understandably, the coral reef awareness was recent therefore, using this sort of art style could become one of the ways to attract people especially young generations. 

IDEA EXPLORATION: 

For the whole design I decided to use traditional medium which is watercolor and line art, because I felt that the texture of paper and use of watercolor would be a great medium to create the design regarding coral reefs.

First Attempt

I decided to create a contrast between the cause and effects that could show contrast, harmony and unity in the arrangement of corals in the overall composition. 

Second Attempt

I sketched and color a mock up version to ensure that the color scheme used within the design fits perfectly with one another. The initial idea was to create a sense of hierarchy starting from the foreground with colorful corals and the color slowly fades as it got closer to the surface of the sea.

FEEDBACK:

• The middle part is empty, so adding more corals or any elements that could fill the empty space.
• The foreground corals and the bleached corals does not show any sense of depth due to it's close proximity to one another. Can be exchanged with color gradation
• The red-orange hue on the sky to represent rise of temperature does not contrast greatly with color scheme of the ocean, the picture seemed to heavy.

With the feedback given, I was able to correct some mistakes and improve the design.

FINAL DESIGN  

Nerves of the ocean

The designs focuses on the progression of how climate change becomes the driving factors to coral bleaching in a portrait form. Asymmetrical balance is portrayed through the placement of elements in the composition to look balance; while Harmony and unity is portrayed in the repetition of the same element of coral designs. To delve into the point, Immense carbon dioxide (CO2) from manmade buildings such as factories contributes to increase in temperature, this causes water level to rise resulting in frequent and violent storms (the lightning strikes). This destructive cycle causes the extinction of coral reefs in the sea. I decided to name the design 'Nerves of the ocean' due to its similarity to human neurons. Coral reefs act as a protection to coastlines and erosion reminded me of our own nerves that triggers a 'fight or flight' response whenever we are in danger, that serves as a protection for our human vessel. This similarity could become a way to express the importance of preventing climate change to preserve the co-existence of humans and nature in the face of earth.

REFLECTION

Throughout the final project, I have learned how to visually analyze certain designs more intricately and extract whatever information that are relayed through the design. Furthermore, the final project also have broadened my knowledge on the issues of climate change and how coral reefs plays an important role in the preservation of coastlines and erosion. Furthermore, the final project also have taught me various ways to express what we are trying to portray visually through symbols and colors. Completing the final project was difficult however, I enjoyed the journey that I took in creating the final design for one of the sustainable goals.