Design Principles / TASK 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation
Daphne Lai Yu Cheng / 0366380
GCD 60804 / Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors' University
Task 2 / Visual Analysis & Ideation
Week 3 (17/2/2025)
- Observation
- Analysis
- Interpretation
TASK 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation
INSTRUCTIONS: Write a 300-350 words visual analysis of the artwork you selected from the art gallery. Sketch 3 ideas on how to improve the selected design using design principles knowledge. Describe each idea and support it with a rationale in about 30-50 words.
Recap of TASK 1: https://daphnedesigns05.blogspot.com/2025/02/design-principles-task-1-exploration.html
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Title of Artwork/Design: Café Terrace at Night
Artist/Designer's Name: Vincent Van Gogh
Size: 80.7 cm × 65.3 cm (31.8 in
× 25.7 in)
Medium of the Artwork/Design: Oil on Canvas
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_Terrace_at_Night
VISUAL ANALYSIS
Observation
Vincent van Gogh's Café Terrace at Night was painted in September 1888 during his stay in Arles, France. It captures the vibrant ambience of a café amidst the surrounding darkness from his perspective. Van Gogh chose to paint this scene at night using vivid blues, violets and greens to depict the evening atmosphere without resorting to black. This technique emphasises the café's warm, glowing light, which contrasts with the cooler tones of the background. He also uses a variety of brushstrokes to highlight different visual elements, such as the cobblestone road which feature slightly curved strokes to create a rough texture. The painting primarily uses slight violet, green, orange and shades of yellow and blue. Overall, it presents a harmonious composition through its thoughtful use of colour.
Analysis
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In Figure 1.2, Van Gogh used complementary colours to create strong contrast. The deep blue night sky and surrounding buildings contrast with the warm orange and yellow tones of the illuminated café emphasised light and shadow. Additionally, the contrast between the bright café and the dark alleyway enhances depth, also creating a chiaroscuro effect. In Figure 1.3, the café stands out as the focal point (emphasis) against the darker surroundings. Van Gogh achieved movement in Figure 1.4 through straight lines and 1 point perspective, it guides the viewer’s eye from the terrace to the alleyway. Figure 1.5 shows how the painting uses asymmetrical balance with the bright colours on the left to draw attention to the café's activities. Besides, his brushstrokes are balanced and repetitive. Vertical for buildings, diagonal for the café ceiling, cross hatching for the sky and curved for the cobblestone ground. The use of warm and cool colours in Figure 1.6 create harmony to make the scene feel lively yet peaceful while the night starry sky add a sense of tranquility. Figure 1.7 demonstrates how Gestalt principle of proximity is used to group the people closely together. By using circles to replace the people, it shows how their placement creates a sense of connection and interaction contrasting with the emptier alleyway.
Interpretation
Café Terrace at Night is an oil painting by Vincent van Gogh, painted in September 1888 in Arles, France. This painting is a great example of his Post Impressionist style using vivid colors and expressive brushstrokes. It shows a warm, glowing café under a deep blue night sky filled with stars. Van Gogh uses bright yellow tones for the café which stand out against the dark streets and buildings and creates a strong contrast between light and shadow which showcases his interest in the interaction between artificial and natural light. The faceless figures at the tables give a feeling of isolation despite the lively café while the empty chairs depict loneliness, possibly reflecting Van Gogh’s emotions. His perspective makes it seem like he is watching from a distance which adds to the sense of emotional separation. Overall, the painting captures warmth amidst the surrounding darkness and creates a dreamlike atmosphere. This artwork explores night effects. While it conveys a sense of calmness, it also carries a deeper message about loneliness and social isolation.
Additional Writing
Artist's Statements
- Artist's Statement to support Contrast: Van Gogh mentioned that "I believe that an abundance of gaslight, which, after all, is yellow and orange, intensifies blue." (Source: https://www.vincentvangogh.org/cafe-at-night.jsp)
- Artist's Statement to support Harmony: Vincent Van Gogh wrote that “I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day.” (Source: https://simplykalaa.com/cafe-terrace-at-night/)
Symbolism & Meaning
- The Café's Glow: Warm light and peaceful social interaction amidst the surrounding darkness.
- The Faceless Figures: Reflection of Van Gogh's own feelings of isolation and emotional distance during his time in Arles within a bustling social setting.
- The Few Scattered Empty Chairs: Symbolise the contrast of presence, absence or longing in social spaces. Van Gogh's desire for companionship or the nature of human connections.
- The Stars in the Night Sky: The depiction of the starry sky showcases Van Gogh's fascination with the night and the cosmos, perhaps reflecting his appreciation for the nature's beauty.
Fun fact: The positions of the stars in the night sky of Café Terrace at Night is accurate according to astronomical data.
3) Sharma, M. (2024, April 2). Cafe Terrace at Night: Van Gogh’s Solitude and Love of Night. SimplyKalaa. https://simplykalaa.com/cafe-terrace-at-night/
4) Takac, B. (2023, July 20). Everything You Need to Know About Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night | Widewalls. Www.widewalls.ch. https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/cafe-terrace-at-night
SKETCH 1
Figure 1.8 Sketch 1
Figure 1.9 Contrast
For this sketch, I wanted to express Van Gogh's feelings while painting Café Terrace at Night by using hands in blue to symbolise loneliness with contrasting yellows and oranges for the café glow in the background. This strengthens my ideation of Van Gogh’s emotions. I also found a similar GIF to support this expression.
Figure 1.10 SHIFTS by Arina Kokoreva
Additional Writing:
"After our eyes, hands are the second way we can feel the world." I had this thought and wanted to show how Van Gogh felt through his hands, every brushstroke of Café Terrace at Night wasn’t just something he saw but something he could feel. Was the weather that night cold or filled with the warmth of the café’s glow? Some things make more sense when we touch them like the warmth of a coffee cup during a winter night, rough canvas or the texture of dried up paint, maybe that's why he painted the things he couldn’t express even in the quiet darkness like how his loneliness and emptiness clung to him endlessly.
SKETCH 2
Figure 1.11 Sketch 2
Figure 1.16 Cover Artwork for JANNABI's for lovers who hesitate
Additional Writing:
Have you ever sat alone at a café? It feels peaceful yet lonely and empty seeing other tables having conversations made. When I made this sketch, I kept thinking about that feeling and my past observations. A lonely figure beneath the warm glow of a lamp post staring at the empty chair in front of him might be wondering when will he finally have the courage to confess his feelings, just like the song inspiration. It's strange how silence becomes louder when we are by ourselves as the mind finally has all this empty space to wander and overthink to fill in the silence.
Sketch 3
Figure 1.17 Sketch 3
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This sketch began with a contrasting flower concept but I was later inspired by Junji Ito’s The Hanging Balloons, which led to the addition of contrasting facial expressions, one happy and one sad. I also incorporated stars on the happy side and dried leaves on the sad side to enhance balance and harmony.
Figure 1.20 The Hanging Balloons by Junji Ito
Additional Writing:
While brainstorming ideas for this sketch, I wanted a contrast concept. I thought why not draw flowers? But instead of stopping at blooming and dried petals, I wanted to push my imaginations further. I wanted them to feel something too. So I added expressions: one blooming with joy, the other quietly withering away in sadness which reminded me of a comic title I have read: Tears on A Withered Flower. I wonder if people would be terrified if flowers actually looked back at us with human like expressions. But why is that? In a way, we are not that different from them, we "bloom" and "wither" too...
Week 3 (17/2/2025)
General Feedback: Task 2 Briefing. Be particular about the layout of our blog to ensure tidiness.
Specific Feedback: Task 1 is on the right track. Good selection of artwork. Good start on Task 1, can add more explanations. Dr Charles also mentioned that he likes ambiences like my chosen artwork, Café Terrace at Night by Vincent Van Gogh! Start working on Task 2.
Week 4 (24/2/2025)
General Feedback: Be critical in your analysis. Add or subtract from the artwork, try not to be repetitive.
Specific Feedback: Straightforward observation, have to rearrange the order of the interpretation. Work in progress.
Week 5 (3/3/2025)
General Feedback: Improve on the story telling part for your sketches. Add "additional writing" if needed for extra explanation.
Specific Feedback: Good analysis, interesting sketches. 3 sketches have a strong tie and connection to the selected artwork. Proceed with sketch 2. Hint/Tip: Align lamp post's placement with the figure, add subtle yellow as hint of reflection to the improve on the linework so it merges the figure into the overall melancholic environment.
This task made me realise how important design principles are as they play a crucial role in all types of artworks. Improvising my selected artwork gave me valuable exposure, though it also came with quite a few challenges as I often found myself unsure of how to approach the improvisation. It was definitely a difficult task and it made me respect artists even more. TvT
I enjoyed analysing my chosen artwork because I’ve always admired Van Gogh’s pieces. Previously, I only viewed his works on a surface level but through this task, I discovered how his art incorporates various design principles and conveys deeper meanings. Overall, this task had its ups and downs, but I’m definitely looking forward to the next one.
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