Design Principles / TASK 3: Development & Design
Daphne Lai Yu Cheng / 0366380
GCD 60804 / Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors' University
Task 3 / Development & Design
TASK 3: Development & Design
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Select one of the 3 ideas you proposed in Task 2.
- Develop it through colour exploration, composition, typeface, positioning, etc., with design principles in mind.
- Finalise your idea.
- Create your final design in A4 size, JPEG format in at least 300dpi pixel size. Label the design as <Your Name_Title of Design_Task 3>.
- Write a 200-word rationale explaining/defending: i) the decisions made in your design, ii.) the meaning/purpose of the design & iii) the design principles that are employed to create the design.
- Include feedback from your lecturer.
Recap of TASK 2: https://daphnedesigns05.blogspot.com/2025/02/design-principles-task-2-visual.html
Title: Soft Light, Heavy Heart (Sketch 2)
Figure 1.1 Sketch 2
Figure 1.2 Previous Visual Analysis from Task 2
This sketch explores unspoken emotions at a café. The lonely figure beneath a lamp post serves as emphasis (focal point), placed right at the intersection of the rule of thirds, golden ratio to guide the viewer's eye from the upper windows, down through the café light and enhanced through colour contrast to draw attention. I was inspired by JANNABI's for lovers who hesitate where the song depicts a lonely man falling in love with a lady but hesitates to confess to her.
Figure 1.3 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.
TASK 3: PROCESS
Figure 1.4 Inspiration Board
I want to create an artwork like the examples above, all of them are vibrant and have slight glowy, blurry and very grainy textures. I also thought of using glass paper for the lamp post's light and acrylic paint for the lamp post and lonely figure to show a difference in textures.
Figure 1.5 Test Try
After completing the digital illustration in Adobe Illustrator, I attempted on testing and experimenting materials on my printed artwork. It was way harder than what I expected because I have never tried making them and I failed. The glass paper was flimsy when I glued it onto the printed artwork and completely covered the painting of the lonely figure, which was not what I visualised in my mind.
Figure 1.6 Process (Illustration in Adobe Illustrator)
Figure 1.7 Process (Acrylic & Glass Paper Combined)
TASK 3: FINAL ARTWORK
Figure 1.8 (Scanned) <Daphne Lai Yu Cheng_Soft Light, Heavy Heart._Task 3>
Figure 1.9 (Photographed in the Morning) <Daphne Lai Yu Cheng_Soft Light, Heavy Heart._Task 3>
%20Final%20Artwork_%20Soft%20Light,%20Heavy%20Heart.jpg)
Figure 1.10 (Photographed in the Afternoon) <Daphne Lai Yu Cheng_Soft Light, Heavy Heart._Task 3>
Figure 1.11 (Photographed at Night) <Daphne Lai Yu Cheng_Soft Light, Heavy Heart._Task 3>
A little observation (Side by Side Comparisons):
When I was photographing my artwork, I observed that due to the lighting, the glass paper appears brightest and most vibrant in the afternoon (Figure 1.13) and then at night (Figure 1.14), which emphasises the lamp post's light and lonely figure more compared to the one photographed in the morning (Figure 1.12). It's somewhat interesting how various lighting conditions create different appearances of an artwork.
Close Up Details:
Design Principles Applied:
200 Words Rationale
2) Meaning/purpose of the design
3) Design principles that are employed to create the design
"Soft Light, Heavy Heart" was based on strong emotional impact and inspired by Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night, I wanted to replicate its melancholic yet calming atmosphere with the use of a minimalistic and dream core inspired art style to convey loneliness and calm silence. I chose to use mixed media by utilising both traditional and digital techniques to enhance the scene I want to present to viewers. In the digital illustration, I applied contrasting colours, grain, blur and glow effects for the background (café) to enhance the dreamlike and melancholic atmosphere. I painted the lamp post and lonely figure in rough brushstrokes using acrylic paint on the wrinkled surface of the glass paper as the lamp post's light to express the figure’s inner "chaos" being lost in thoughts with emotions overflowing.
"Soft Light, Heavy Heart" explores unspoken emotions outside a peaceful and lively café, it conveys the bittersweet experience of solitude, contemplation and melancholy. My inspiration came from JANNABI’s song For Lovers Who Hesitate which tells the story of a man in love but hesitates to confess his feelings. The composition depicts a faceless lonely figure sitting beneath the warm glow of a lamp post, facing an empty chair and being lost in thoughts. I painted the lonely figure being faceless to show the "emptiness" he feels. The artwork captures the emotional contrast between the warmth of the surroundings (soft light) and isolation of the lonely figure (heavy heart). Additionally, I also want to express 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.
This artwork uses complementary and contrasting colour schemes, blue with orange and yellow to enhance the theme of loneliness versus connection and warmth (Figure 1.19). The lonely figure beneath the lamp post is positioned at the intersection of the rule of thirds and golden ratio that serves as the emphasis and primary focal point (Figure 1.20 & 1.21). Asymmetrical balance is used where the figure and lamp post are placed on the right side of the composition. This placement creates a natural flow by guiding the viewer’s eye from the upper windows, down through the café lights and then towards the lonely figure (Figure 1.22). The composition using contrast, rule of thirds, golden ratio and asymmetrical balance creates harmony in the overall composition.
Additonal Writing
"Soft Light, Heavy Heart" captures the contrast between warmth and solitude. The glowing café lights create a serene atmosphere yet the faceless lonely figure beneath the lamp post represents isolation. The empty chair symbolises absence, perhaps of a loved one, an unspoken conversation or an opportunity left behind. The use of rough brushstrokes and textured materials reflects inner turmoil while the dreamlike glow and grain enhances the melancholic yet peaceful mood. This artwork expresses the bittersweet nature of solitude where silence allows thoughts to overflow and fill empty spaces of the mind.
Songs I think about when looking at Soft Light, Heavy Heart. ⊹₊⟡⋆
Figure 1.23 Playlist
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13dYkNVpE4Ai-UZUl3f9Au_w1p7vUm1jy?usp=sharing
Week 6 (10/3/2025)
General Feedback: -
Specific Feedback: Good effort, carry on task 3. Could try both methods of traditional art on the lamp post and light (painting/glass paper art) if unsure of the outcomes and compare then which relates to the artwork's rationale and title.
Week 7 (17/3/2025)
General Feedback: Briefing on final compilation blog.
Specific Feedback: Good, can see a difference/contrast in colour and overlaying with glass paper, has a very different effect and creating interest.
Completing this final task had its ups and downs as I faced challenges in creating a meaningful artwork that can accurately express my write up about it. The biggest challenge was working with mixed media, particularly the traditional art because I had never tried using glass paper before. The process was way difficult than I expected because it was quite tricky to handle it due to it being a very flimsy material.
I was also concerned that my final artwork might not turn out as I had visualised. However, I tried my best to make it work and fortunately, I was quite satisfied with the outcome. Throughout this task, I am grateful to receive insightful feedback and advice from my lecturer and friends to further improve my artwork.
Overall, I would love to work on a similar task again. It was interesting to see other artworks from my friends, how stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring new materials and techniques allowed me to push my creative boundaries and go beyond my initial expectations.
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