Task 1: Exploration

5/2/2024 - 23/2/2024 | Week 1 - Week 3
Johanna Leong Hui Ninn 0359221
Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology (Honours)



Design Principles Recap

Gestalt theory 

This theory suggests that the human brain tends to perceive and interpret visual elements as a whole, rather than individual parts. It emphasizes how elements in a design are perceived as a unified whole.

Contrast 

Contrast is the difference between elements in a design, such as color, size, shape, or texture. It helps create visual interest, emphasize important elements, and guide the viewer's attention.

Emphasis 

Emphasis is used to highlight the most important elements in a design. It can be achieved through contrast, color, size, or placement to make certain elements stand out.

Balance 

Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in a design. It can be symmetrical, where elements are evenly distributed, or asymmetrical, where elements are arranged in a way that creates equilibrium.

Repetition 

Repetition involves using the same or similar elements throughout a design. It helps create consistency, unity, and visual rhythm in a design.

Movement 

Movement in design refers to the visual flow that guides the viewer's eye through the design. It can be achieved through elements such as lines, shapes, or patterns that create a sense of direction or motion.

Harmony and Unity 

Harmony refers to the visual coherence and consistency of a design, achieved through the use of similar elements. Unity is the overall sense of oneness in a design, where all elements work together to create a cohesive whole.

Symbol 

Symbols are visual representations that convey meaning or ideas. They can be used in design to communicate complex concepts quickly and effectively.

Word and Image

The combination of words and images in a design can enhance communication and create a more engaging and memorable experience for the viewer. Each element can complement and reinforce the other to convey a message more effectively.


Selected UNSDG Goal

The UNSDG Goal that I have selected is goal #5Gender Equality. This goal aims to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls. The target of this goal is to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. Such harmful actions towards women include; child marriages, female genital mutilation, lack of equal rights to decision-making and many other countless examples.

 

Selected Design

Vasily Pukirev, 1862
173 x 136.5 cm, Oil on Canvas

Explanation for selecting the Artwork

This artwork depicts a young girl being married off to an elderly man, an example of the social issues of forced and unequal marriages, particularly prevalent in 19th-century Russian society. The message that the artist aims to depict is the unfairness to women who were forced into marriages for economic or social reasons without regard of their own wishes, let alone their own will. This painting is created to critique the practice of arrange marriages, presenting the power dynamic and lack of agency towards young women who unfortunately have to go through the experience of such unions. As seen in the painting, the bride and groom have a stark age difference, emphasizing the imbalance and lack of choice faced by the young girl, who is painted with a sad and resigned expression. 

(132 words)

List of the Design Principles Observed 

  • Contrast
  • Emphasis
  • Movement
  • Harmony & Unity
  • Symbol

Weekly Feedback

Week 1: No class

Week 2: Off to a good start, my lecturer told me that there is nothing to change in my assignment post and that it is all done well. I just needed to include the list of the design principles observed in the selected artwork and complete the description writings for the design principles recap.

Week 3: Lecturer reminded me to add image examples for each design principles as well as include weekly feedback, reflection and further reading in this assignment's post.


Reflection

This assignment was really enjoyable for me as I personally love deciphering the meaning and hidden messages within a painting. It was a captivating experience to explore the artistic expression and symbolism of Vasily Pukirev's piece "The Unequal Marriage", an artwork that I have known about prior to starting this assignment and finally had the chance to learn about in greater depth.

This assignment also gave me the opportunity to learn more in depth about the principles of designs, some which I have never learnt of before, which was a refreshing learning experience. During this, I also managed to learn about how these principles of design are used to create impactful visual compositions that convey the ideas and emotions of an artist. 

Selecting a United Nations Goal to base my assignment on was quite a challenge as there were so many interesting goals to choose from. After careful consideration, I decided on goal #5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. This goal is something that I am inspired to to work on and expand my creativity on. 


Further Reading

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