Page 15 - Art Attack Gr 9 LB SKU1007

Visual literacy: Analysis of illustrations describing the elements and
principles

This lesson, you will be analysing illustrations that include images of people. Traditionally a portrait
recorded the person’s appearance and class. People were idealised- made to look better than
they actually did, so all their physical faults were either left out or made more aesthetically
pleasing... these days we have Adobe Photoshop! In design, images of people are used in
advertising, marketing, branding and in publications to connect with people, find things attractive
as well as make them identify with the images to convince them to buy the product or use the
service. These images have a commercial function. Contemporary designers are always looking
for new ways to capture people’s personalities, emotions and life experiences on billboards, in
books, user guides and product launch activations.

This task is designed to recap what you have learnt last year. Your teacher will show you a few
examples of illustrations, each in a very different style. Each time carefully observe the artwork
and then answer the questions. Remember to look carefully, noticing all the fine details.

IMAGE 1 Analyse the portrait and fill in the table:

Art element or What type do you Where is it in the
design see? illustration? What is the effect that it creates?
principle
Shape

Line
Tone

Texture
Colour

Contrast

Proportion
Emphasis

Unity

Balance

IMAGE 2 and 3 Compare the two designs and answer the questions:
1) What kind of style has the illustrator used to depict the subject in each of the designs? Give
reasons for your answer.
2) How would the scale of the illustration change the effect it had on the viewer?
3) Give a personal interpretation of each illustration. Remember to give reasons for your answers.
4) What do you think the function of each illustration is?
5) Identify three differences and three similarities between the two designs.
6) Explain the function of the background in each illustration.

IMAGE 4: Break up in pairs. Identify how each of art elements is manipulated and used by the
designer to create a mood, express emotion, record the subject and communicate the concept.

This lesson I have learnt that ..................................................................................................................
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Artifact Publications and Training 2015 9