Task 2: Visual Analysis & Ideation
10/2/2025（Week 3-5)
PAN RUINING (0378138)
Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
TASK 2-Visual Analysis & Ideation
CONTENT LIST
INSTRUCTION
TASK 2: VISUAL ANALYSIS & IDEATION
Title: The Seer
Artist: Giorgio de Chirico
Year: 1914
Material: Oil on canvas
Size: 100 cm × 81 cm (39.4 in × 31.9 in)
Below is a visual analysis in order of the phases :
Phase 1 - Observation
In the painting, the figure has no face and has a head that is a geometric
mannequin. This figure is sitting on a wooden stool while observing a
chalkboard that has architectural sketches drawn on it. The setting has a
wooden floor that has long shadows cast over it. Additionally, The colors
are dark and dull which is complemented by the deep blue sky. In the
background there is an impressive neoclassical building with large columns
and a pediment alongside a red brick building and a lamp post.
Phase 2 - Analysis
The design first takes the faceless mannequin sitting in the foreground
as the attraction point. Although it is still, the slightly inclined posture and the direction of
rotation of the blackboard make the audience feel some kind of dynamic power
of "thinking" or "paying attention", reflecting the movement and
suggesting the development of the story. In color, the use of deep blue and warm yellow creates a contrast between the sky and
the ground, reinforcing the unreal atmosphere. In contrast, the faceless mannequin has a light on its face, while almost all other
objects are in the shadow, which points the focus to the mannequin and the
blackboard, adding depth and reflection to the interaction of light and
shadow. The lines on the floor can trigger a lot of thinking. In
Gestalt theory, the repeated lines on the floor can not only reflect the
similarity with the geometric form of the mannequin but also
extend through the lines of the floor, guiding the audience's line of sight
into the picture and reflecting continuity. Not only that, the floor lines, building structures and the edges of the
blackboard are arranged along strict perspective lines, creating a strong
sense of alignment and making the picture look orderly. To the
closure drawing on the blackboard, even if the lines are
incomplete, we can still see that you are drawing a sketch of a geometric
space. In addition, the painting's mannequin and blackboard design in the
foreground, while the yellow building in the background and the tiled roof of
the house with a little red reveal the established hierarchy, also reflects the mystery.
Phase 3 - Interpretation
Born in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, when it was experiencing uncertainty around the First World War, the painting reflects the artist's thoughts on reality and the unknown. The faceless figures, the geometric shapes on the blackboard and the mysterious European architecture in the painting create a surreal atmosphere that expresses a sense of uncertainty about destiny. This sense of uncertainty resonates with me as a modern college student. In the face of a fast-changing society, I often feel the uncertainty of the future, just like the characters in the painting who are facing the complex set of shapes on the blackboard, trying to decipher them but not being able to do so.
SKETCHES & IDEATION
·Sketch 1
Fig. 1
Description & Rationale:
By increasing the contrast of light and shadow, the focal point is brought into sharp focus, and the dark blue color of the background is made more intense, making the contrast between the faceless mannequin in the foreground and the blackboard more pronounced. Additionally, by adding a scattering of objects related to the theme of the “seer” in different locations: an open book, geometric models and a compass, it is possible to increase the contrast and make the image more storytelling, as well as to enhance the spatial depth.
·Sketch 2
Fig. 2
Description & Rationale:
By adjusting the heads of the figures to a bowed position and the chains on their bodies, as well as the string puppets on the blackboard, the hourglass on the floor, and the gun, they express the exploitation of workers by the capitalists of the World War I era.
·Sketch 3
Fig 3
Description & Rationale:
Adding a question mark to the face can represent the loss of personal identity in modern society, changing the geometric shapes on the blackboard to codes, changing the geometric shapes on the blackboard to codes, and at the bottom of the blackboard, there is a sentence “Human not found” to strengthen the mysterious atmosphere. what'more, designed a background with data streams and modern architectural silhouettes, and once again made the floor part darker by color mixing. The design is based on data streams and modern architectural silhouettes, with a color palette that makes the floor darker, again contrasting light and dark, emphasizing the theme and subject matter.
FEEDBACK
WEEK 3: The brief will happening in the upcoming week.
WEEK 4: Sir told me that the interpretation section could not just copy the historical background after googling, but had to have an explanation of why I chose this piece of artwork.
WEEK 5: Sir said I misunderstood the requirements of task2 and needed me to add two more different sketches and approve my sketch3.
REFLECTION
I found Task 2 very interesting as I was able to further put my knowledge of design principles into practice. I had to explore and be creative and analyze what could be improved in the artwork and use my knowledge of design principles to make the artwork more effective and appealing to the viewer. I realized that no artwork is perfect and that there are elements that one can further add or modify under different perspectives to make it more appealing in different ways and to give it a different concept in relation to the current times.
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