Exercises

Design Principles // Exercises

Ng Jun Wei / 0349827

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Advertising and Brand Management

11/1/2023 - 20/1/2023  (Week 1 - Week 2)

Exercise 1: Emphasis

Recap：

Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer's attention. Usually, the artist will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. 

 

References:

Figure 1.1 Emphasis Principle of Graphic Design

Source: https://pin.it/45sAGNJ

Figure 1.2 The Disrupters

Source: https://pin.it/26Em52M

Exploration:

Figure 1.3 Stock Up on These Taper Candles for All Your Summer Dinner Parties

Source: https://pin.it/1yTkKwn

By referring to many images with the design principles in emphasis, I wanted to make a design where a candle goes out and others remain lit.

Draft:

Figure 1.4 Emphasis draft

Feedback:

Dr Jinchi thinks I can change the colour of the extinguished candle and make it shorter. Make it more realistic and emphasise.

Final Design:

Figure 1.5 Final Design

Hence, I took Ms Jinchi's advice and changed the candles to blue. Because blue makes people feel sad, it makes the story more complete. And make it easier for the audience to see the difference.

Rationale: 

A group of close friends, one of whom separated due to a difference of opinion. Like the smoke that hasn't cleared away, their memories are still present. However, only three people are left to continue on. And their memories of the one who left will also be scattered with time.

Exercise 2: Repetition

Recap：

Repetition is simply repeating a single element many times in a design.

 

References:

Figure 2.1 Outside Lands: Creative Paper Typography by Owen Gildersleeve

Source: https://pin.it/5nQYF8L

Figure 2.2 Eiko Ojala, Illustrations

Source: https://pin.it/LLXzJxR

I love these two images, which give me a sense that there is no end in sight through the repeated images and the shades of colour.

Exploration:

Figure 2.3 Cosmic Art - Fine Art America

Source: https://pin.it/7lfYrlD 

Figure 2.4

Source: https://pin.it/7lfYrlD

Based on those two images, I wanted to make a heart of repetition with endless effects.

Draft:

Figure 2.5 Repetition draft

Feedback:

Dr Jinchi suggested that I could divide love into four dimensions to further highlight the repetition effect. Or switch colours to rainbows for a richer layer.

Figure 2.6 Repetition draft 2

I chose the first way, which is to make four dimensions. Because I think only the combination of black and red can fully present my idea of this work.

Final Design:

Figure 2.7 Final Repetition design

However, I suddenly thought, it is better to let it combine into a "four-leaf clover". I also asked Dr Jinchi for her suggestions, and she also thought that this would make the design more interesting.

Rationale: 

Love, we can't just speak out to determine love, we need to understand the layers of love. To create a bottomless effect, I use a lot of repeated love in this situation. We are not easy to see the most profound things. We must take a long time to get to know someone deep down. At the same time, the four-leaf clover pattern represents how love sometimes requires a lucky ingredient. Because not everyone is capable of accepting your love.

Reflection

Before learning the design principle, I also learned similar design concepts. However, my skills have been rusty. When I understand the content of this assignment, it still makes me feel distressed.

I didn't know where to start, so I watched pre-recorded videos and ppt according to Ms Jinchi's instructions, which deepened my understanding of various principles. Thus, I turned to Pinterest for inspiration. It didn't go well because I didn't have any paint around, so I had to do it in computer graphic design.

Besides, I also have a part-time job, so I need to balance work and study, which is not easy for me. However, I am very grateful to Ms Jinchi for her advice, which gave me more inspiration for my own works. Although my works are expressed straightforwardly, the stories behind them are my real feelings about life.

In this assignment, I learned the principle in each picture and incorporated these characteristics into my own works. I also learned time management and allocation, so that I can finish my work on time.