Week 3-Week 5（17.02.2025-03.03.2025）
WANG JINYI （0374697）
Design Principle/ Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Task 2- Visual Analysis & Ideation
Table of Contents
1.Lectures
2.Instructions
3.Task 2
4.Feedback
5.Reflection
Lectures
Visual Analysis
Visual Analysis is a structured approach to understanding design by focusing on its visual components and underlying principles. At its core, this method involves breaking down a work of art or design into its fundamental parts to understand how each element contributes to the overall message and impact.
How does Visual Analysis work?
Observation:
First, look at the design very carefully. Notice details like colors, shapes, and how items are arranged. Write down what you see in your own words without reading any extra explanation.
Analysis:
Next, think about how these details work together. Ask yourself questions like: Which parts catch your eye first? How do the colors and shapes interact? This step is about figuring out why the design feels balanced or exciting.
Interpretation:
Finally, combine your observations with some background information about the design or the designer. This helps you understand the overall meaning or purpose behind the design.
Instructions
MIB for Bachelors of Design (Honours) in Creative Media | The Design School at Taylor's University 2025
Task 2
Recap Task 2 Brief
For Task 2, we need to write a 300 - to 350-word visual analysis of the artwork we've chosen. Refer to the lecture notes and guidelines for visual analysis to write visual analysis.
Next, we'll use our knowledge of design principles to outline ideas on how to improve our chosen design. Describe each idea in 30-50 words and give the rationale. Lastly, include the visual references that inspire our own idea.
Visual Analysis
Fig. 1 The Night Watch (De Nachtwacht)
Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn
Year: 1642
Size: 363 cm × 437 cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Image Source: here
Observation
Night Watch is more than just a group portrait—it feels like a staged performance. Each figure stands individually but is arranged in a structured and solemn way. Most of the characters are in soft, dim light, while the captain, his adjutant, and the little girl are brightly illuminated, drawing immediate attention. The composition is well-balanced, with the central figures acting as focal points. Repeated poses and similar details in clothing create a sense of unity. The strong contrast between light and shadow and the dynamic postures add a sense of movement, making the scene feel lively. Through these techniques, Rembrandt creates both drama and order in the painting.
Analysis
Looking closer, Rembrandt carefully arranges each character to ensure balance while maintaining a natural, stage-like effect. He brings key figures like the captain and adjutant to the forefront by using strong contrasts of light and shadow, making them stand out and guiding the viewer’s gaze. The repetition of similar clothing details and poses creates a visual rhythm, making the group feel more connected despite their individual movements. The overlapping figures and varied postures add to the sense of motion, making it seem as if the scene is unfolding in real-time. The depth and layering of the characters also add realism, as some figures appear closer while others fade into the background, reinforcing the illusion of space.
Interpretation
This painting is not just a simple group portrait; it is a carefully designed, dynamic composition. Rembrandt skillfully applies balance, repetition, movement, and contrast to turn separate figures into a unified and dramatic scene. He captures the discipline and energy of the militia while emphasizing the leadership of the captain and adjutant, who appear as guides and protectors. Historically, each person in the painting paid the same fee to be included, yet some figures are barely visible. This shows that Rembrandt valued artistic vision over commercial demands, prioritizing composition over fairness to his patrons.
Total words：322
Sketch （Improved Artwork）
Sketch 1：Color Contrast
I feel like the colors in the painting look a bit too similar, which makes it feel a little dull. To make it more interesting and eye-catching, I want to add some cool tones to the darker areas. This will create a stronger contrast with the warm colors and make the whole painting feel richer and more dynamic.
Fig. 2 Sketch 1
By balancing warm and cool tones, the scene will have more depth, and the lighting will feel more dramatic. Overall, this small change should make the painting more engaging and visually appealing.
Sketch 2: Motion Blur
I felt the background characters were too static, like they were just posing. To make the scene feel more dynamic and dynamic, I added a slight motion blur in the background. This gives the impression that they are active and not stationary.
Fig. 3 Sketch 2
By keeping the main characters in the foreground clear while slightly blurring the background characters, the focus on the key subjects will be stronger. This also adds more rhythm and story to the scene, making it feel more dynamic and immersive.
Sketch 3: Hue Contrast
Adding hue contrast to the side characters helps balance the overall composition and naturally leads the viewer’s eye across the scene. This ensures that the audience doesn’t focus only on the central figures but also notices the surrounding characters. The color variation makes the image more dynamic, visually interesting, and well-structured.
Feedback
Week 4：
Your analysis is strong and well-structured, but simplifying some sentences would improve clarity. Try using shorter sentences and more direct wording. For example, "Repetition of similar poses enhances unity" is clear, but "Repeated poses make the group look more connected" is even simpler. Keep it concise and easy to read.
Reflection
Experience
In this task, I realized how important it is to have my own perspective when analyzing and improving an artwork. After getting feedback, I understood that I needed to think more creatively and apply design principles in a meaningful way. I explored three different approaches: color contrast, motion blur, and hue contrast. This process helped me see how small changes could completely shift the mood and impact of a painting.
Observations
I noticed that the original artwork had a strong composition, but its warm tones made the colors feel a bit flat. By adding cooler tones in the shadows, I created a stronger contrast that made the scene feel more balanced and visually interesting. I also realized that the background figures felt too static, so I experimented with motion blur to suggest movement, making the scene more dynamic. Lastly, I played with hue contrast to ensure that side characters weren’t overlooked, helping guide the viewer’s eye through the painting.
Findings
Through this task, I learned that improving an artwork isn’t just about making it look better—it’s about enhancing its storytelling and visual impact. Applying design principles like contrast and movement allowed me to rethink how The Night Watch could be presented differently while keeping its original meaning. Feedback was really helpful in refining my ideas, and this experience showed me how much design choices can affect how people see and feel about an artwork.
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