Design Principles - Task 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation

03/03/2026 - 09/03/2026 (Week 05 - Week 06)

PHANG QI YU / 0385732

Design Principles GCD60804 / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylors University

Task 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation

Table of Content

1. Lecture

2. Instructions

3. Process Work

4. Feedback

5. Reflection

LECTURES

Week 05:

There will be no lecture class this week. We continue working on our Task 2 progression.

Week 06:

There will be no lecture class this week, so we will continue working on our Task 3!

INSTRUCTIONS

PROCESS WORK

Task 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation

➼ Instructions: Re-upload the design work you selected in Task 1 and conduct a detailed visual analysis of the piece.

➼ Instructions: Analysis should be between 300 and 400 words.

➼ Instructions: Using our knowledge of design principles, sketch 3 ideas showing how the selected design can be improved. Describe each idea and support it with a rationale in about 30 to 50 words. We may include some visual references that inspire your own ideas.

This task requires us to assess, investigate, document, and analyze the existing artwork/design selected in Task 1. We will study the design principles used in the work, including elements such as size, placement, purpose, effectiveness of the design.

Selected Design:

Figure 1 Selected Design

Source: Google Chrome ⟢ Title: "Aspens in Winter"

Artist: Pastel Anne ⟢ Year: 2014

Medium: Acrylic (acrylic paint) ⟢ Size: 55.9 cm x 91.4cm (22 in x 36 in)

Visual Analysis & Design Principles Used:

Visual Analysis

The artwork above uses important design principles to stand out. Here are the principles I found:

1.Repetiton

Repetition is shown by the repeated use of elements in the artwork, such as the numerous aspens, including their patterns and colors.
It creates a sense of consistency and order.
It helps guide the viewer’s eye around the design in a smooth and organized way.
It leaves a strong impression on the viewer and makes the artwork visually appealing.

2. Movement & Rhythm

Pastel Anne guides the viewer's eye through the composition in a swaying motion:

The aspens swag gently back and forth in the winter, expressing movement.
Their motion gives the sense that they are being moved by wind.
The curves of the aspens guide the viewer's attention through the composition.
The movement creates a visual pathway, making the overall composition more dynamic.
The spacing of the aspens and the repeated vertical lines of aspens guide the viewer's eye smoothly across the artwork, also the flowing motion provides a calm and comfortable eye flow.

3. Harmony & Unity

It is clear that the artwork conveys a strong sense of cohesion. The elements are unified through color and shape, creating a harmonious whole. Everything appears to come together toward the center, establishing a strong visual balance for the viewer. All the elements combine together as one, presenting a unified composition in the artwork.

4. Contrast

The contrast between the colors creates a visually striking effect. It uses color differences to distinguish and define the elements.

Light VS Dark.
The combination of warm and cool colors in an artwork makes the elements more easily distinguishable and recognizable, while also indirectly emphasizing the contrast between two colors.
The light to dark gradient (purple, pink, and yellow) enhances depth, making the sky/background more three-dimensional.
Placing a bright yellow color on a dark purple background creates strong color contrast, making it stand out and leaving a memorable visual impact on the viewer.
Position contrast of the aspens. The arrangement of the aspens varies with proximity. On the bright yellow side, the aspens concentrated closed together, while on the side away from the light, they are spaced farther apart.
The placement of the aspens conveys a sense of proximity to the bright side. Areas near the light appear more appealing, suggesting positively liveliness, and warmth. In contrast, the aspens farther from the bright side feel more isolated and distant, evoking a sense of lonely.

5. Balance

The composition of the artwork demonstrates symmetrical balance. All the elements carry equal visual weight, creating a well-balanced composition.
The aspens on both sides are arranged very similarly to each other. This arrangement creates a sense of order and stability.
The aspens are evenly placed rather than scattered randomly, which avoids a messy appearance.

6. Rule of Thirds

Rule of thirds is a method dividing an image into thirds, using two horizontal and two vertical lines.

The artwork uses the rule of thirds to create balance and add energy to the composition.
The aspens are not placed in the center, which prevents the image from feeling static.
By arranging elements along the rule of thirds, the artwork feels harmonious and dynamic, guiding the viewer’s eye naturally through the scene.

Below, I will draw and write an explanation to show how the rule of thirds is used in this artwork:

Figure 2

Visual Analysis: Explanation of the Rule of Thirds

The light source (yellow background) in this artwork helps me demonstrate the use of the Rule of Thirds because it is not positioned in the center of the composition. Instead, the brightest area of the sky appears slightly off-center, closer to one of the vertical third lines. By shifting the light source (yellow background) away from the middle, the artist creates visual movement and depth. The surrounding aspens and their long shadows lead the viewer’s eye toward this brighter area, reinforcing balance while maintaining a dynamic and engaging composition.

Observations:

The first thing I notice in this artwork is the many aspens standing in the winter scene. The tall trees immediately catch my attention and make me curious about the story behind them. They are covered with snow, which clearly shows that the setting is during winter. I also observe that some of the trees in the back are slightly bent instead of standing completely straight. This small difference makes the artwork more interesting and natural, because in real life, not all trees grow in the same way. Another strong element in the artwork is the yellow background. It is very bright compared to the purple color beside it. The yellow color stands out quickly and draws my eyes to the center of the artwork. Even though yellow and purple are very different colors, they look surprisingly good together. At first, I wondered if these two colors would look strange when combined. However, the artist blends them smoothly using gradient colors, so the transition feels soft and balanced. Some people might think this artwork looks simple or even empty because it does not have many objects. However, I feel calm and comfortable when I look at it. The yellow background feels warm, like a soft light shining in winter. At the same time, the purple color gives a cool feeling that matches the cold weather theme. The tall and straight aspens remind me of bamboo because both are long and upright. The simple use of snow, trees, and background colors shows that sometimes less is more. Even with few elements, the artwork successfully creates a peaceful and beautiful winter atmosphere.

Interpretations:

Furthermore, I have also included my interpretations of the elements used in Pastel Anne's "Aspens in Winter", based on my own perspective!

1. The Straight Aspens

The main elements are painted in muted colors compared to the background. Standing straight in winter, they resemble lonely human.
I feel that the straight aspens represent a lonely person because they stand upright compared to the other aspens near the light (the yellow background).
They must remain diligent and strong to support themselves in the darkness. There is no one they can talk to.
They seem to be pretending to be strong, standing perfectly straight as if they absolutely cannot fall. This creates a heartbreaking feeling.
At the same time, they are supporting themselves, becoming their own source of light in the darkness.

2. The Slightly Curved Aspens

I feel that the slightly curved aspens symbolize how people no longer need to stand perfectly straight all the time.
As they move closer to the light and hope, they realize that someone is supporting them and that there is light shining on them. Because of this, they do not need to appear so strong anymore.
They can gently lean, rest, and rely on the light, allowing themselves to feel calm and relaxed.

3. The Shadows & Snow-covered Ground

Snow often represents isolation and the passage of time or changing season, while the shadows suggest the lonely human shell, finding its only solace in solitude.
Also, the shadow resembles a hand gently holding someone's back, standing behind them to offer support in the darkness.

4. The Yellow Sky/Background

The sky shows a soft transition from dark to light, enhancing depth and atmosphere. Yellow symbolizes energy, positivity, and hope, so I interpret it as a light in the darkness, guiding humans and uplifting their hearts. It creates warmth and draws them out of the darkness, offering a sense of hope.

5. The Purple Sky/Background

The sky transitions from cool tones to warm tones, enhancing the atmosphere of loneliness. Cool colors, like purple, often represent sadness and create a sense of distance, while also helping to establish depth.
Placing the cool tones next to warm colors makes the warm elements stand out even more. The cool tones also reflect human emotions, conveying feelings of being on the edge and a sense of hopelessness. In contrast, the bright yellow background draws attention and provides hope, guiding the viewer from despair toward warmth and comfort.

Conclusion:

Pastel Anne's "Aspens in Winter" is a suitable artwork for studying design principles. I cannot claim it is a masterpiece, but to me, it certainly feels like one. The use of multiple design principles such as balance, repetition, harmony & unity, movement, and perspective makes the work visually compelling and emotionally powerful. The composition effectively guides the viewer's eye through the aspens. Overall, the painting gives a neat and comfortable visual impression. It uses color to enhance the characteristics of the objects themselves, while the colors complement each other to highlight the subjects. Each viewer brings their own feelings and interpretations to the work. I believe that everyone may perceive and understand the artwork differently, which adds another layer of depth and interest!

࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ─── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖

Sketches & Ideation:

Using our knowledge of design principles, we will sketch three ideas showing how the selected design can be improved. Each idea must be described and supported with a clear rationale (30–50 words each). We may also include visual references that inspire and support our proposed improvements.

Visual References/Mood board

Figure 3

Visual References/Mood board (Pinterest)

Figure 4

Visual References/ Mood board (Pinterest)

I chose some visual references from Pinterest to help guide my sketch and provide inspiration for the composition, lighting, and overall atmosphere. Then, I started sketching with the ideas I had in mind. Below are my idea sketches. I created 6 sketches, and we only need to choose one.

Sketches & Ideation

Idea #1:

Figure 5 Sketch #1

Description & Rationale:

My idea for this sketch is to depict light illuminating a person walking in the dark. Based on the selected design above, I wanted to create a similar concept where a light source draws the viewer’s attention and creates a strong contrast within the overall composition.
I created this sketch by following the rule of thirds, which helps make the composition more balanced. I also used the trees in the background as a form of repetition.
The theme of this sketch is the same as my selected artwork, as I wanted to convey the same meaning.

Idea #2:

Figure 6 Sketch #2

Description & Rationale:

I drew this sketch because at first, I was unsure whether we needed to create a completely different artwork from the chosen artwork or simply modify it by adding or changing certain elements. Therefore, I decided to keep a similar background to the selected artwork. Instead of sketching numerous aspens like in the original artwork, I added a couple in the middle of the composition.
By including the couple, I felt that the scene created a warm and loving atmosphere. While the selected artwork gives a sense of loneliness, I wanted my sketch to convey a different feeling one that expresses love.

Idea #3:

Figure 7 Sketch #3

Description & Rationale:

The idea for this sketch came from the concepts of movement and repetition. I first thought about the theme and decided to use a rock or music theme. The guitar in the center acts as the main element, helping to balance the composition and guide the placement of other elements.
The guitar strings represent movement, flowing dynamically across the sky, while the musical notes are drawn like raindrops. The people below the musical notes are holding umbrellas. The repeated musical notes create a sense of repetition within the composition.
The theme of the artwork is that music brings joy. The musical notes falling from the sky symbolize happiness, spreading around and reaching the people below.

Idea #4:

Figure 8 Sketch #4

Description & Rationale:

I was inspired by "Eternal Sunshine" by Ariana Grande. In the album visual, Ariana Grande appears to be lying in the dark while a light shines on her, as if it is pulling her out of the darkness. I wanted to create a similar concept in my sketch. The theme of the album also feels similar to my selected artwork, which inspired me to explore the idea of light in darkness.
In my sketch, I drew a hand in the night that is reaching toward boats sailing in the sea. The boats represent night sailors exploring the sea in darkness. The hand acts like a source of light, guiding and accompanying them in the dark. It symbolizes hope and emotional support, helping to brighten their hearts. This idea is also similar to the concept expressed in my selected artwork.
I sketched four-night sailors to create a sense of repetition in the composition. For the background, I plan to use gradient colors, and I want to draw the sea using the principle of movement to make the scene feel more dynamic.

Idea #5:

Figure 9 Sketch #5

Description & Rationale:

I was inspired by my selected artwork above (fig. 1) and wanted to replace the aspens with a cherry blossom tree (樱花树), while also changing the season from winter to spring.
The cherry blossom tree reminded me of scenes from Japanese anime, where high school students cycle to school, which inspired me to include a similar idea in my sketch!
Although the figure appears slightly blurry, I drew a large sun in the background to serve as a focal point that immediately draws the viewer’s eye.
I added a high schooler cycling in the middle of the road, giving the composition a sense of youth and liveliness. The cherry blossom trees surrounding the figure, along with the sun, help create harmony and unity throughout the scene.

Idea #6:

Figure 10 Sketch #6

Description & Rationale:

Since the selected artwork I chose is set in winter, I decided to experiment with different seasons. In sketch #5, I explored spring, and in this sketch, I chose the theme of summer. When we think of summer, we often imagine the beach and surfing. I searched for references and was inspired to sketch people surfing in the sea.
The figures are lying on their surfboards, relaxing in the middle of the water, which creates a sense of freedom and demonstrates the principle of movement. I also included a sunset to enhance the overall composition, creating harmony and increasing the contrast between the sea and the sky. The scene conveys enjoyment, relaxation, and the lively energy of summer.

Selected Sketches:

After Mr. Max reviewed my six sketches, he selected two that he preferred and allowed me to choose one of them as my final work for Task 3. He mentioned that both selected sketches have a strong connection with my chosen artwork (Fig. 1). Mr. Max also provided several suggestions and ideas to help me further improve my sketches.

Sketch #1:

Figure 11

Selected Sketch (Sketch #1)

Sketch #4:

Figure 12

Selected Sketch (Sketch #4)

Improved Sketches:

For Sketch #1 (Fig. 11), Mr. Max suggested that I sketch the people coming from the opposite direction. Instead of showing them walking in darkness, he recommended illustrating them slowly approaching the light source, symbolizing movement toward the light. This creates the impression of progressively walking closer and closer to the light.

He also mentioned that using the rule of thirds to place the light source was a strong choice, as it helps create a balanced and visually engaging composition. Below is the improved sketch #1, developed based on Mr. Max’s advice!

Figure 13

Improved Sketch (Sketch #1)

For Sketch #4 (Fig. 12), instead of drawing a boat, Mr. Max suggested replacing it with Loy Krathong. This festival is also known as the Festival of Light, a significant Thai celebration. He recommended changing the theme of the sketch to reflect this cultural event. The word "Loy" means to float, while "Krathong" refers to a small floating vessel traditionally made from banana leaves.

In the revised sketch, the original hand is replaced with a hand holding a krathong. The candle on the krathong being held will appear brighter than the other krathongs floating on the water, creating a visual contrast among the many floating krathongs. The figure below shows an example of what a krathong looks like.

Figure 14 Loy Krathong Thailand (Candlelight)

Source: Pinterest

Figure 15

Improved Sketch (Sketch #4)

Final Sketches:

Figure 16 Final Sketch (1)

Figure 17 Final Sketch (2)

FEEDBACK

Week 05:

In this week's class, I showed my sketches to Mr. Max for review. He gave feedback on each of my sketches and selected 2 out of the 6 he liked. Mr. Max also drew some references to help me improve my sketches. He said that I could proceed to Task 3 using the chosen sketches and start working on them!

Week 06:

This week in class, I showed Mr. Max my Task 3 progress and asked for his assistance with my sketch. Mr. Max explained everything in detail and also helped me improve my sketch. He taught me some useful tips on how to color and blend two colors together effectively. After that, I continued working on my Task 3 and have now completed almost half of it.

REFLECTIONS

Experience

My experience during Task 2 was fun and very interesting. In this task, we started sketching, and compared to the previous task, it was more fascinating. We had to create sketches based on our selected artwork while also applying the listed design principles. At first, it was not easy because I usually sketch without thinking about design principles; I normally just draw whatever I want. However, in this task, we had to make sure that our sketches applied the design principles and also had a connection with the chosen artwork. I created more than three sketches to ensure that my work would be approved, as I was worried that my sketches might not be good enough. Luckily, Mr. Max said he liked two of my sketches, which allowed me to proceed to the next task.

Observations

While I was in class, I noticed that every student has different ideas and creativity. Even when using the same material, the outcomes can be very different. Everyone has their own way and style of sketching and creating. This is what design means to me, variety and uniqueness. I also observed that design principles act like a guide when it comes to designing. Everything begins with the design principles, as they form the foundation of a good design. We need to follow the rules of design principles in order to create a strong and effective artwork. Without these principles, the design may appear messy and unorganized. Through this task, I was able to truly understand the importance of design principles. The more I practiced and applied them, the more I realized the important role they play in design.

Findings

In this task, I was able to explore and be more creative. I realized that every artwork contains many details if you take the time to really look at it. By closely observing and analyzing an artwork, it can provide inspiration and allow us to see different perspectives. By looking at various visual references on the web, such as Pinterest and Google, I found that artworks can inspire many ideas. From the references I found, I was able to imagine and create a completely different piece. Some elements may remain the same, but the composition or design can be different. Through this process, I can see that this module encourages us to explore and learn creatively.

Exploring is an important part of every task. We need to explore in order to discover new and unique ideas and gather the knowledge we learn to apply it to our work. I remember Mr. Max mentioning that we should always explore more. The more we explore, the more we realize that there are many wonderful things around us that can inspire our designs. He also said something that I clearly remember, we should explore in order to understand what we truly want, not simply explore quickly just to finish the task. The design process is about observing, feeling, and sketching.

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Phang Qi Yu (0385732)