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Task 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation

Anggia Tsani Rachmadiyanti, (0368487)
Design Principles / GCD60804 
Task 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation (40%)
(Week 3 - Week 5) 

 CONTENT LIST 

 MODULE BRIEF 



 Lecture Notes : 

[ Lecture 6 / Visual Analysis ]

Phase 1: Observation
    - look closely to visual elements, describe carefully with your own words.
Phase 2: Analysis
    - think of your observations and make statements about the artwork based on observations. 
    - talk about the design principles and effects on viewers.
    - talk bout how our eyes are led throughout the work.

Phase 3: Interpretation
    - Sum up the observations and analysis and Relate it with facts about the artwork/designer and historical context from published sources.
    - What is the meaning of the design and its purpose?

 TASK 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation: 

Instructions:

 Description: This task requires you to assess, investigate, document and analyse the existing art/design work you selected in Task 1. You will study the design principles found in that work, as well as the size, placement, purpose, effectiveness of the design. 

 Requirements: 
1) Write a 300- to 350-word visual analysis of the artwork you selected from the art gallery. Refer to Visual Analysis lecture notes and guide to write the visual analysis. 

2) Next, using your design principles knowledge, sketch 3 ideas on how the selected design can be improved. Describe each idea and support it with a rationale in about 30-50 words. You may include some visual references (cite the sources) that inspire your own ideas. Plagiarism in any way (p. 13 of MIB) will result in an F grade for the overall module and the student will be subjected to the policies of the University concerning academic misconduct. You shall also adhere to the guidelines and expectations for the responsible use of GenAI.

Below is the artwork I had chosen from task 1 and followed by my TASK 2 visual analysis writeup:

RECAP OF TASK 1:

(Fig. 1)
Title: "The Great Wave off Kanagawa"
Artist: Katsushika Hokusai
Year: 1831
Medium: Ukiyo-e (Woodblock print)
Size: 24.6 cm × 36.5 cm (9.7 in × 14.4 in)


350 words Visual Analysis of the Artwork:

1) Observation 
  • "The Great Wave off Kanagawa", was a woodblock print made by Katsushika Hokusai. It features a massive towering wave with claw-like crests crashing and curling over 3 small boats, showing sense of danger. The dark blue water contrasts with the white foam, creating a dynamic sense of motion. The wave dominates the overall composition, and is the largest element. In the background behind the waves, there is a small Mount Fuji. The sky transitions like a gradient from pale beige at the top to a muted gray, blue near the horizon, adding depth and atmosphere. The background is warm meanwhile the waves have a cool colour. The left side of the artwork is more packed. The artwork is highly detailed, with fine lines defining each wave and ripple. 
2) Analysis 
  • Firstly, he used asymmetry and contrast to create a sense of movement, creating drama. The wave, has many curved flowy lines, appearing to be frozen, emphasising the moment before it crashes down. The repetition of smaller waves and the boats adds tension, drawing viewer’s attention toward the crest. Color harmony is also used well here for the artwork’s effectiveness. The dark Prussian blue, contrasts sharply with the white foams, making the water feel turbulent. The sky’s light-dark gradient adds depth. Contrast and emphasis was achieved by placing the largest and smallest elements at key ratio points, Hokusai maximizes contrast (big wave vs. tiny Mount Fuji), making the image more striking and memorable. The artwork used the scale, as the wave appears most enormous compared to both the boats and Mount Fuji. This exaggeration gives the sense of nature’s power and vulnerability of humans. Golden Ratio is also used here, where the viewer’s eye naturally follows the curve path of the wave, leading from the lower left to the crest before descending toward the mountain. This movement creates a balanced and energetic composition and looks like the image is moving. The highest point of the wave is placed near the Golden Ratio intersection, making the top left the focal point. This makes the artwork naturally pleasing to the viewers. This allows viewer’s eye to move from the wave to Fuji mountain smoothly. Golden Ratio creates a sense of stability, even though the scene itself is dynamic and chaotic.

3) Interpretation 

  • Hokusai created 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' as part of his series "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" during the Edo period. This was the time when Japan was experiencing cultural flourishing but also isolation from the outside world. It reflects Japan’s cultural fascination with nature and its forces. Prussian blue pigment in the painting was introduced from Europe, showing how foreign influences were beginning to shape Japanese art. It also captures the raw power of the sea, possibly symbolising the unpredictability of life or Japan’s relationship with nature. The artwork emphasized the mountain’s significance as a sacred and unchanging element amidst the wild waves. 'Ukiyo-e' movement (floating world prints) focused on depicting everyday life, landscapes, and fleeting moments, aligning with Buddhist themes of impermanence. The wave’s massive size reflects the uncontrollable force of nature. The claw-like scary looking wave is about to strike the boats as if it were a huge monster, which seems to symbolise the irresistible force of nature and the weakness of human.

Symbolism:

  • The Wave: Represents the power of nature, unpredictability, and the fragility of human existence.
  • The Boats: Symbolises human struggle, resilience, and dangers faced in daily life.
  • Mount Fuji: A sacred and stable symbol, contrasting with the chaotic ocean waves curling over.
  • Prussian Blue: A new imported pigment, reflecting Japan’s increasing exposure to Western influences.
Overall, The artwork conveys both awe and respect for nature’s might, using dynamic composition and masterful design principles to show emotion and movement. It is one of the iconic piece worldwide. The artwork masterfully leads our eyes, reinforcing the theme of human vulnerability against nature’s immense force. 

 Sketches & Ideation: 

Create 3 ideas on how "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" artwork can be improved. Describe each idea and support it with a rationale in about 30-50 words. You may include some visual references (cite the sources) that inspire your own ideas. 


 #1 IDEA 

Sketch: 
(Fig. 2)


Description & Rationale: 
  •  More Gradation in Color – A subtle gradation in water tones, transitioning from deep indigo to lighter hues, would create a more dynamic and natural movement, emphasizing the wave's energy while maintaining the traditional ukiyo-e aesthetic.  Introducing a broader colour gradient with subtle shading could add more depth and realism to the waves, making them appear even more dynamic while maintaining the traditional ukiyo-e style. Moreover, the biege sky could have a gradient in colour too such as orange to beige, to make the artwork seem more vivid and energetic. This creates more harmony in the composition and depth.

 #2 IDEA 

Sketch: 
(Fig. 3)

(edited the original one and add/altered some elements to give an idea)


Description & Rationale: 
  •  Increased Depth & Additional Elements  – Adding a stronger perspective by emphasizing foreground details, such as more detailed, intricate boats, would create a greater sense of immersion and scale. The boats are a bit too unnoticed so making more contrast using bolder and cool colour. Moreover we can add a little bit more elements in the sky: clouds, birds, to give more storytelling and enhancing contrast between nature's chaos & serenity. The size of Mt. Fuji should also be resized abit larger. Contrast adds more depth and detail as well


 #3 IDEA 

Sketch: 
(Fig. 4)


Description & Rationale: 
  • More Modernized Lines Work To add more Movement – Refining the wave’s edges with varied line thickness could add emphasis to motion and energy, while still preserving the artwork’s iconic movement. 


Task 2 Reflection..

In conclusion, this 2nd task in this module was very interesting and fun as I got to further use my knowledge in design principle into practice. I got to explore and be more creative as well as analysing what could be improved more in an artwork by using design principles knowledge to make the artwork more effective and appealing to the viewers. I realise that no artwork is ever perfect, but when you begin to look into its details, there will always be something of an improvement that the artwork needs and elements that needs to be added or modified further. 


SEM:

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