Design Principles Final Compilation

 MODULE GCD60804: Design Principles

06/02/2024 - 21/03/2024 : Week 1 - Week 7

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Task I: Design Exploration

Task II: Visual Research

Task III: Creative Design

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MODULE INSTRUCTION:

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“FEB - APR 2024: GCD 60804 / DESIGN PRINCIPLES MODULE INFORMATION BOOKLET”

MAIN TASK I: Design Exploration (Week 1 - 3)

Design Exploration: In this upcoming task, students within the cohort are expected to properly explore the various design principles provided by their lecturers & the module. Students will observe other works of design and be capable of applying their knowledge - all of which should be documented in their individualised blogs.

LINK BACK TO TASK I E-PORTFOLIO ENTRY

MAIN TASK II: Design Analysis (Week 3 - 5)

Design Analysis: In this upcoming task, students within the cohort are expected to properly assess, investigate, document and analyse the previously selected existing art/design in Task I. With the existing art/design, students will be expected to study the design principles used within the existing work and discuss each principles effectiveness, purpose & importance as well as how each principle relates to the selected UNSDG previously selected in Task I

LINK BACK TO TASK II E-PORTFOLIO ENTRY

MAIN TASK III: Design & Production (Week 5 - 7)

Creative Design: In this upcoming task, students within the cohort are expected to take their analysis of the selected piece from the previous Task II and produce a piece of work which is inspired/influenced by the one they had had analysed. Students should also apply their knowledge of design principles into their creations. Students are free to choose any constructive visual mediums which are suitable to convey their visual message. The direct use of Photographs (with minor exceptions for 3D models) is not permitted. Any work that is found plagiarised 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 & dishonesty.

LINK BACK TO TASK III E-PORTFOLIO ENTRY

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MAIN TASK I: Design Exploration (Week 1 - 3)

Investigating the Core Design Principles + Analysis using Core Design Principles

UNSDG Concept I: “End Poverty as demonstrated ‘Worn Out’ by H.A. Brendekilde”

“Udslidt” by H.A. Brendekilde - 1889, Acadeism Social-Realism Oil-Painting, 207 × 270 cm”

Provided by tosommerfugle.blogspot.dk, Public Domain, wikimedia

“Udslidt” also known as “Worn Out” or “The Martyr,” is one of the most famous pieces produced by Danish Painter, Hans Andersen Brendekilde. It depicts the death of a weather-beaten man; supported by an exhausted woman; yelling into the barren fields surrounding them.

Since its publication, the piece remains in high regard as one of the first respected paintings for the ‘Social-Realism Movement’ - demonstrating the Impoverished Conditions of Lower-class labourers in the late 19th century. One purpose of the piece was to highlight the negative effects of Poverty; suggesting that labourers would often work themselves to death inorder to earn a livable wage. Furthermore, the piece suggests reform & empathy of the Upper-Class: its ‘Palais des Beaux Arts’ Title being “The Martyr” refers to a symbolistic death which shifts the local paradigm. Ultimately, H.A Brendekilde promotes reform by utilising Design Principles such as Contrast, Balance & Emphasis to implicate its message.

Word Count: 150

MAIN TASK II: Design Analysis (Week 3 - 5)

Analysing H.A. Brendekilde’s “Worn Out” & Visual Analysis Summary:

“Udslidt” by H.A. Brendekilde - 1889, Acadeism Social-Realism Oil-Painting, 207 × 270 cm”

Provided by tosommerfugle.blogspot.dk, Public Domain, wikimedia

Phase I - Design Observation:

This piece is in landscape format. Centrally-aligned, there is a collapsed man being supported by a distressed woman. Their clothes appear to be tattered & stitched together. For the scenery, the figures appear to be in a farming field, littered with rocks & patches of grass. In the top left, there is a series of white buildings in front of a forest. The sky is overcast. For visual elements, the main colours observed are a vivid Red & Blue contrasting with a brown-beige. Some brush strokes with harder force, creating texturing.

Word Count: 89

Phase II - Design Analysis:

The painting is asymmetrically balanced. Emphasis is placed on the two figures in the central image: The woman’s face is rendered with smaller strokes compared to the harsher background (texture) & possessing colour highly contrasting the desaturated scenery (colour.) She is holding the body of a collapsed man (movement), leading viewers to the man - suggesting importance. The field has a series of natural lines which radiate out from the figures (movement) leading to further exploration. Near the horizon line on the left, a series of small houses near a forest clearing; its position making it feel forgotten(Balance.) There is proportion in the layout, creating hierarchy – first, we see the image in the biggest size - the figures, followed by the smaller details such as the houses.

Word Count: 125

Phase III - Design Interpretation:

This is an oil-painting designed and presented in the ‘Palais des Beaux Arts’ in Lille, France during the late 1800s & early 1900s. The painting’s style reflects the “Social-Realism Movement,” a historical European style of the 19th & 20th century depicting everyday living (both good & bad.) As Brendekilde was one of the founding developers of the ‘Movement’ & was actively caring for the disadvantaged, it makes sense that this style is incorporated into this Painting’s design. Beyond its visual purpose, this piece had semi-political implications, using high-class art to spread awareness to help the suffering. This painting was carefully designed and has become famous for inspiring the ‘Movement.’ Not only does it reflect the artistry of “Professional Acadeism” but it also reflects the recognition of power art has & artistic freedom which were uncommon of the times.

Word Count: 133

TOTAL WORD COUNT: 347

 

MAIN TASK III: Design Analysis (Week 5 - 7)

Final Product & 200-word Rationale:

“One’s Waste, Another’s Problem” by T.V Sleep - 2024, Academic centred digital work, 2480 x 3508 pixels (A4)”

“One’s Waste, Another’s Problem” was designed around “UNSDG 01: Poverty” and aims to address how the impoverished are taken advantage of by the upper-class. The piece mainly uses Design Principles such as Emphasis, Contrast, motion & balance to convey its intended message.

Balance is utilised throughout the piece to create Points-of-Interest and focuses the viewer's attention to the key-elements. It was designed using the ‘Rule of Thirds’ for layout, with each figure appearing on the points-of-intersections, highlighting their importance. Additionally, the image is semi-symmetrical to suggest comparison in the background scenery/difference in living-conditions.

Emphasis and Contrast are used to further imply the message. The figures feature saturated colours when compared to the background, emphasising the importance of them and their interaction. Furthermore, the two figures are contrasted, with the impoverished using warm colours while cooler colours are used for the wealthy. A motif which is utilised throughout the piece.

Motion is used to suggest action between the figures. It appears that the impoverished travel from the city; taking the waste to the slums - further being inconvenienced by the wealthy man, deposing his device. The motion aims to suggest how waste is some-what forced onto the impoverished (an unnecessary burden) who has to take to their home; the smoke further suggests ecological damage.

Final Word Count: 213

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MODULE COURSE REFLECTION:

Personal Reflection about the DESIGN PRINCIPLES GCD61304 Module:

In the beginning of this semester, I was actually looking forward to this module as it was something that appeared to be more in-line with my prior interests and academic goal: the aspects and application of design. Although this semester was roughly 7 weeks long, it was a course which was able to teach me some interesting reasons and methods relating to Design Principles. One interesting element I was able to take away from this course is the concept of ‘universal design’; the invisible practice specially designing logos, symbols or artworks which should be able to be understood by most - regardless of language or background. It is something not many consider when working with international audiences (something more common in the modern age.) Additionally, it is important to consider the origins of some symbols as various designs (or elements of it) may be rooted in aspects of culture or history. Its interesting how designs change depending on audiences or locale.

Throughout the module, the parts I most enjoyed were the beginning designs & research phase as they were the sections which required active learning as well as application of said knowledge. I believe I enjoyed these parts as I’m an individual who enjoys learning new things and creating designs or expressing new ideas because of my knowledge. With that being said, I found that the section I least enjoyed was the finalised design stage and the process of digitising my design. I am unsure if this was due to a declining mental state due to other modules or finding difficulties with a new software but, I was not enjoying my time towards the end - something unfortunately noticeable with the end product.

From this module and semester as a whole, I’ve begun to make changes to my learning journey which has actually benefited me in the long-run. One main change I experienced in this module is being able to not only stay on-top of my work but, being willing to move ahead of the class even if I might make a mistake. I found myself being very motivated in the work and wanting to continue as I hope I can continue with level engagement in future modules. Despite this, I did not do everything in this module to the best of my ability and I could do a lot better in some aspects. As previously discussed, I began to lose motivation towards the end of the module and thus, my work itself began to suffer as well. I wasn’t able to focus as long and would make simple mistakes. In order to make the necessary changes; I need to find better ways to remain engaged with the class material and should invest in better solutions to help me focus when working.

Overall, I am quite thankful that I’ve taken this module and am looking forward to applying the lessons I’ve learnt these past 7 weeks. For me, Design Principle is a module which feels like the proper introduction into the design courses and hopefully I can find myself beginning to enjoy the program like I did in this module.