TASK 2 (Visual Analysis & Ideation)
TASK 2 (Visual Analysis & Ideation)
February，02，2025
Week3-Week5
Xing Yu / 0361463
Design Principles GCD60804/ Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
INSTRUCTIONS
Visual Analysis
Fig 1.1 Ivan Aivazovsky : Ship on Stormy Seas
Title ：Ship on Stormy Seas
Artist's Name : Ivan Aivazovsky (1817-1900)
Object type : painting
Date : circa 1850s
Medium : oil on canvas
Dimensions height : 20.5 cm(8 in); width: 28.5 cm(11.2 in)
Collection : Private collection
Source/Photographer : Rorotheum Lot No.159
Source Link:
File:Ivan Aivazovsky - Ship on Stormy Seas.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Date : circa 1850s
Medium : oil on canvas
Dimensions height : 20.5 cm(8 in); width: 28.5 cm(11.2 in)
Collection : Private collection
Observation:
The artwork takes the form of a horizontal composition, with the artist focusing on a ship engulfed in a torrential rain. The low dark clouds around create a strong sense of oppression and terror. The waves show a gradient of green and dark blue from near to far, and the translucent green waves in the near distance are mixed with white foam, highlighting the visual impact of the waves. Seagulls flying on the stormy sea in the distance symbolize hope and freedom. The overall tone of the work is cold and oppressive, but the light in the distance symbolizes the dawn of hope, indicating that you can see the dawn of hope through the dark storm. In the lower right corner of the picture is the artist's signature "Аi", indicating that it is the work of the Russian painter Ivan Aivazovsky.
Analysis:
The work employs design principles of contrast and emphasis. In this work of art, Aivazovsky uses the contrast of light and shadow to subtly enhance the drama of the whole work. The ship is placed in the center of the stormy sea, suggesting that human beings are contending with natural disasters and expressing their insignificance in the face of nature. The tilt angle of the ship and the messy mast enhance the sense of danger, allowing the audience to intuitively feel the intensity of the storm and the turbulence of the waves. The faint light in the distance contrasts sharply with the dark, low clouds in the distance, heralding the slim hope of survival in the near future. The elements of the picture layout follow the principle of triangular composition, with the boats, the waves and the sky forming a stable triangular composition, guiding the viewer's gaze to move smoothly from the waves to the boats and then to the distant skylight. Moreover, the elements in the entire work, such as the sea, dark clouds, sailing ships, and flying seagulls, create a unified and harmonious style.
Interpretation:
This work not only shows the magnificence and surging of the sea, but also symbolizes the vulnerability and helplessness of human beings in the face of natural disasters. The ship in the storm can be interpreted as the struggle of human beings in the face of fate or difficult challenges, while the distant light symbolizes the dawn of hope, indicating that there is always hope for survival after a long dark storm, just as we face fate or difficulties in life. This work is closely related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 13 – Climate Action. As global warming intensifies, the frequency of extreme weather events, such as marine hurricanes, storm surges, and marine hazards, is increasing, putting coastal populations and maritime shipping at greater risk. The storm also alludes to the challenges posed by climate change, and the seagulls in flight represent the hope and resilience of humanity in tackling the climate crisis. The work also serves as a reminder to the environment and climate issues and to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In this painting, cool tones form the basis of the whole painting, and blues, greens, and grays all create a strong atmosphere of disaster. The deep blue sea and the rolling waves highlight the majesty of nature and the unpredictability of disasters. In addition, the heavy gray-blue clouds in the picture symbolize the threat of storms, and also reflect the fear and insignificance of the crew in the face of disaster. The deep blue color of the sea not only expresses the coldness of the water, but also symbolizes the desolation of death. The ship in the storm can sink at any time, and the cold tones add to the despair and loneliness in the face of death. Although cool colors dominate the picture, the warm glow of the sky in the distance symbolizes hope even in desperate situations. The contrast between warm and cold colors is emphasized
Design principles used in this artwork: Contrast, Emphasis
References
Disasters explained: hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons：
Visual References
The principle of contrast
The principle of Emphasis
The principle of contrast
The principle of unity
Sketches
I applied the design principle of "emphasis".
In creating this sketch, I wanted to convey a sense of tension in a stormy night voyage, while at the same time giving it a symbolic meaning – to keep going, even in the harshest of circumstances. I hope that through light, shadow, color and dynamic lines, the viewer can feel the power of the storm and the lonely but determined presence of the ship in the wind and waves.
I want to combine the principles of the draft with the emphasis of contrast. I want to interweave through the cold and the warmto make the whole picture dark blue and black, creating a heavy, oppressive night atmosphere. And the yellow light in the cabin and the red signal light on the mast became the warmest presence in this darkness. This contrast of warm and cold tonesAt the same time, bright lights are used to break this silence. The lights in the cabins are not only a visual focal point, but also a symbol of hope, allowing people to feel a little warmth in the midst of a storm.The rain poured down, the waves churned, and the white lines of the waves emphasized the ravages of the storm. The ship tilted, but it sailed steadily. I hope to use this combination of movement and stillness to show its resilience in difficult situations.
I applied the design principle of "contrast".
In drawing this sketch, I wanted to convey a sense of irreversible conflict of fate – a small boat crashing into a huge iceberg, symbolizing the insignificance of human beings in the face of nature and the irresistible power of fate. I hope to use contrasts to strengthen this tension and make the picture more dramatic and emotional. Dark blue and light blue form the main tone of the ocean and sky. The fire light in the lower right contrasts with the red boat, suggesting a tense atmosphere of impending disaster.
The beam on the left pierces through the clouds, casting a hopeful glow on the surface of the sea, which wants to contrast with the smoke and fire on the right. Create this sense of fatalism first, not just a simple disaster scenario.
I applied the design principle of "emphasis".
I wanted to express a feeling of destruction, loneliness, and the unknown. I depict a ship burning in the dark seas, and in the midst of stormy conditions, it is facing an unpredictable end. I chose red, yellow, and black as the main colors, with blazing flames and burning glows becoming the focal point of the whole picture, which contrasts with the deep darkness around me. I lit up part of the sea and the ship with the light of the fire, making it the center of vision, and the darkness around me seemed to swallow everything. I want the viewer to intuitively feel the feeling of being surrounded by darkness and having nowhere to escape.
FEEDBACK
Your analysis beautifully captures the contrast, movement, and emotional depth of Ship on Stormy Seas. The use of light and dark enhances the drama, while the triangular composition creates visual stability. Your interpretation effectively links the painting to human struggle and climate awareness.
REFLECTION
ExperienceIn this assignment, I explored the design principles behind artwork. This was both challenging and rewarding as it involved analyzing existing designs while developing new ideas based on the insights gained.
ObservationDuring the analysis phase, I observed that successful visual designs consistently adhere to certain principles, such as contrast, emphasis, and balance. These elements play a role in directing the viewer's visual focus. I also noticed that different color schemes evoke different emotional responses. For example, warm colors tend to create a sense of energy and urgency, while cool colors are calming.
DiscoveryI realized that ideation is an iterative process that requires continuous improvement. Initial ideas may not always be successful, but through constant changes in sketches, they can evolve into refined designs.
FURTHER READING
《Universal Principles of Design》
The chapters of this book are divided into different categories of design principles, covering Perception & Cognition, Usability, Interaction, Visual Aesthetics, etc. For example, in the Perception and Cognition section, the book explains in detail Gestalt Principles, such as Proximity, Similarity, Closure, etc. These principles can help us organize these visual elements and make designs that are easier for users to understand. In addition, the book also mentions Contrast Effect, which emphasizes important elements in the design through contrast.
Observation:
The artwork takes the form of a horizontal composition, with the artist focusing on a ship engulfed in a torrential rain. The low dark clouds around create a strong sense of oppression and terror. The waves show a gradient of green and dark blue from near to far, and the translucent green waves in the near distance are mixed with white foam, highlighting the visual impact of the waves. Seagulls flying on the stormy sea in the distance symbolize hope and freedom. The overall tone of the work is cold and oppressive, but the light in the distance symbolizes the dawn of hope, indicating that you can see the dawn of hope through the dark storm. In the lower right corner of the picture is the artist's signature "Аi", indicating that it is the work of the Russian painter Ivan Aivazovsky.
Analysis:
The work employs design principles of contrast and emphasis. In this work of art, Aivazovsky uses the contrast of light and shadow to subtly enhance the drama of the whole work. The ship is placed in the center of the stormy sea, suggesting that human beings are contending with natural disasters and expressing their insignificance in the face of nature. The tilt angle of the ship and the messy mast enhance the sense of danger, allowing the audience to intuitively feel the intensity of the storm and the turbulence of the waves. The faint light in the distance contrasts sharply with the dark, low clouds in the distance, heralding the slim hope of survival in the near future. The elements of the picture layout follow the principle of triangular composition, with the boats, the waves and the sky forming a stable triangular composition, guiding the viewer's gaze to move smoothly from the waves to the boats and then to the distant skylight. Moreover, the elements in the entire work, such as the sea, dark clouds, sailing ships, and flying seagulls, create a unified and harmonious style.
Interpretation:
This work not only shows the magnificence and surging of the sea, but also symbolizes the vulnerability and helplessness of human beings in the face of natural disasters. The ship in the storm can be interpreted as the struggle of human beings in the face of fate or difficult challenges, while the distant light symbolizes the dawn of hope, indicating that there is always hope for survival after a long dark storm, just as we face fate or difficulties in life. This work is closely related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 13 – Climate Action. As global warming intensifies, the frequency of extreme weather events, such as marine hurricanes, storm surges, and marine hazards, is increasing, putting coastal populations and maritime shipping at greater risk. The storm also alludes to the challenges posed by climate change, and the seagulls in flight represent the hope and resilience of humanity in tackling the climate crisis. The work also serves as a reminder to the environment and climate issues and to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In this painting, cool tones form the basis of the whole painting, and blues, greens, and grays all create a strong atmosphere of disaster. The deep blue sea and the rolling waves highlight the majesty of nature and the unpredictability of disasters. In addition, the heavy gray-blue clouds in the picture symbolize the threat of storms, and also reflect the fear and insignificance of the crew in the face of disaster. The deep blue color of the sea not only expresses the coldness of the water, but also symbolizes the desolation of death. The ship in the storm can sink at any time, and the cold tones add to the despair and loneliness in the face of death. Although cool colors dominate the picture, the warm glow of the sky in the distance symbolizes hope even in desperate situations. The contrast between warm and cold colors is emphasized
Visual References
The principle of contrast
The principle of Emphasis
The principle of contrast
The principle of unity
I applied the design principle of "emphasis".
In creating this sketch, I wanted to convey a sense of tension in a stormy night voyage, while at the same time giving it a symbolic meaning – to keep going, even in the harshest of circumstances. I hope that through light, shadow, color and dynamic lines, the viewer can feel the power of the storm and the lonely but determined presence of the ship in the wind and waves.
I want to combine the principles of the draft with the emphasis of contrast. I want to interweave through the cold and the warm
to make the whole picture dark blue and black, creating a heavy, oppressive night atmosphere. And the yellow light in the cabin and the red signal light on the mast became the warmest presence in this darkness. This contrast of warm and cold tones
At the same time, bright lights are used to break this silence. The lights in the cabins are not only a visual focal point, but also a symbol of hope, allowing people to feel a little warmth in the midst of a storm.
The rain poured down, the waves churned, and the white lines of the waves emphasized the ravages of the storm. The ship tilted, but it sailed steadily. I hope to use this combination of movement and stillness to show its resilience in difficult situations.
I applied the design principle of "contrast".
In drawing this sketch, I wanted to convey a sense of irreversible conflict of fate – a small boat crashing into a huge iceberg, symbolizing the insignificance of human beings in the face of nature and the irresistible power of fate. I hope to use contrasts to strengthen this tension and make the picture more dramatic and emotional. Dark blue and light blue form the main tone of the ocean and sky. The fire light in the lower right contrasts with the red boat, suggesting a tense atmosphere of impending disaster.
The beam on the left pierces through the clouds, casting a hopeful glow on the surface of the sea, which wants to contrast with the smoke and fire on the right. Create this sense of fatalism first, not just a simple disaster scenario.
I wanted to express a feeling of destruction, loneliness, and the unknown. I depict a ship burning in the dark seas, and in the midst of stormy conditions, it is facing an unpredictable end. I chose red, yellow, and black as the main colors, with blazing flames and burning glows becoming the focal point of the whole picture, which contrasts with the deep darkness around me. I lit up part of the sea and the ship with the light of the fire, making it the center of vision, and the darkness around me seemed to swallow everything. I want the viewer to intuitively feel the feeling of being surrounded by darkness and having nowhere to escape.
Experience
In this assignment, I explored the design principles behind artwork. This was both challenging and rewarding as it involved analyzing existing designs while developing new ideas based on the insights gained.
Observation
During the analysis phase, I observed that successful visual designs consistently adhere to certain principles, such as contrast, emphasis, and balance. These elements play a role in directing the viewer's visual focus. I also noticed that different color schemes evoke different emotional responses. For example, warm colors tend to create a sense of energy and urgency, while cool colors are calming.
Discovery
I realized that ideation is an iterative process that requires continuous improvement. Initial ideas may not always be successful, but through constant changes in sketches, they can evolve into refined designs.
FURTHER READING
《Universal Principles of Design》
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