Studio Brief 1- Critical Analysis

Following the task upon which we had to collate two images we likes and two images we disliked of pieces of graphic design we were further paired up with a partner to discuss and share our thoughts upon the selected pieces. Within the session 'critical analysis' we were introduced to a new formula as such in which we could use and apply to help us analysis, evaluate and form a reliable opinion upon pieces of work when look at graphic design.

The formula:

D - Describe - What can you see?
I - Interpret - What is it about?
E - Evaluate - How good it is?
T - Theorise - How could it be improved? 

Based on this criteria we analysed our on chosen pieces along with our partners chosen pieces of graphic design. By doing so we developed strong reasons with summed up pieces of evidence to why we thought each piece o graphic design was successful or not. This formula assisted us on creating a valid response to a piece of design, not only is it important to identify why something is successful or not it it important to step back and outline the reasons upon why this decision has been made.

Notes on critical analysis of images using the criteria:

1. Identify and explain 5 reasons why critical analysis is an important part of education, learning and developing your understanding. 

1. Improvements-  Critical analysis is important as it helps you identify the successful and unsuccessful elements of a piece of work, giving you constructive feedback as well as constructive criticisms, this further helps outline improvements that could be made to strengthen work in the near-future.
2. Apply to own work- When taking into account this criteria of critical analysis it will not only help me read and interpret other designers work it will also help me during the points when my work is in progress and I come to a  point where I need to reflect upon what has been done already.
3. Valid opinions - Helps formulate a valid and reliable opinion, it reduces any bitter and bias opinions.
4. Developing as a designer - Not only will the diet criteria help me judge whether something is successful or not it will now help me develop as a designer and understand the concept of communication within graphic design further.
5. Progressing- Without analysing within education especially your chosen subject area within education you are not able to create a understanding of what it is your trying to learn about, without gaining knowledge on fundamental aspects of your subject area through critical analysis you will not be able to apply them in any way or form.

2.Identify and explain why the crit (group critique) is useful in the development of your work, skills and opinions.

My opinion upon group critiques are that they are an interesting and innovative way of in-directly learning and sharing design ideas and progressing as a designer. The fundamental purpose of 'graphic design' is communication, in order to communicate something through piece of graphic design a piece of work has to be crafted in a certain way, following a particular path which usually has a substantial body of research and development behind it, during this process of production group critiques are a valuable way of sharing ideas, developing ideas and receiving constructive criticisms, in essence it helps you generate a response to the body of work collated already. Group critiques help:

- develop and improve existing and new ideas 

- help identify whether the message being communicate is successful or not 

- help you re-direct you on the right path if you have come to a dead-end

- Give you positive feedback boost your confidence in yourself and in your work

During the studio session we had we formulated a list as an entire group relating to the devises that help us summarise pieces of work, as you can see this list consists of different elements that help us apply the 'DIET' formula:

3) Choose 5 criteria from the list that were generated during the studio session. For each criteria brefly summarise what will generally affect how you judge what you like and dislike when analysing examples of work. (you should aim to use the images that you brought to the session as examples).

LAYOUT

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Free-Typeface-Deco-Neue/2919157

1. LAYOUT - When looking at layout I tend to look at where the focal point within the piece is, whether the piece of design has visual balance and whether the elements within the piece have been composed in a orderly manner leaving the outcome to be visually digestible by the human eye. 

In this particular piece that I have chosen I feel that the overall layout is aesthetically pleasing, I strongly I feel that there is visual balance which helps maintain a visual equality when digesting the piece. The piece is almost symmetrical in some aspects, the typography has been central aligned in the middle of the page, the image of the Eiffel Tower in the background has also been positioned to full fill the central grid layout. 

COLOUR 

www.behance.net/graphicdesign

2. COLOUR - In terms of of the application of colour when looking at pieces of graphic design I tend to judge whether the use of it is successful based on whether the colours complement each other, whether they contrast well with each other or whether they clash and reduce the overall aesthetics. 

When looking at this particular piece of graphic design/illustration we can clearly see that the designer has executed the use of colour well. The subtle background tone which has been used for the foundation of the piece clearly contrasts the muted brown/grey for illustration/image itself. Although it contrasts comfortably I feel that this piece is successful as  the designer has realised that if the brown/grey illustration was any darker the piece would be unappealing. 

FUNCTION

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Catalan-wines/4299047

3. FUNCTION - When looking at the functionality of a piece of work I tend to look at the sole purpose of the piece and the information which is being communicated, i then tend to compare the purpose of the piece to the image and type. 

In this particular piece of graphic design the designer is attempting to present  ''Branding, graphic and communication code for a catalan wines promotion project for the domestic and international audience. A project that aims to improve the consumption and the presence of the local wines at catalan cellars and restaurants.'' ,  I personally feel that this piece does not fulfil its main purpose in terms of representing the alcoholic beverage wine. 

LEGIBILITY 

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Fontform/4852989

4. LEGIBILITY - When considering the legibility of a piece of design I tend to look firstly at whether the typography which is being presented is understandable, by this I mean that whether he words being presented are clear and concise in there form and structure. When looking at a piece of graphic design that is purely image rather than inclusive of type I tend to make a decision upon whether I like/dislike it based on the interpretation I have made from the piece in correlation with the purpose of the piece. If the legibility is minimal in terms of the  poor use of colour, a unstructured and messy layout and poor composition I tend to dislike a piece of work. 

I dislike this piece above based on its legibility due to the fact that I can not actually work-out what the typography says in this piece. There does not seem to be any indication of the message that is being communicated within the piece, thus making the purpose of the piece seem meaningless and just leaving a ray of colour and unusual shapes.

VISUAL QUALITY 

5. VISUAL QUALITY - When critically analysing piece of work and considering the 'visual quality' I tend to step back from the particular details within a piece and look at the overall layout, colour , composition and typographic content and see whether all of these components work well together to deliver the ultimate message. 

I feel that this piece's visually quality to relatively high, the use of colour along with the composition and layout connote that Paris is the city of romance and love, the main factors that contribute to this message are the muted colours, although this message hasn't been spelt out on the actual piece it is evident that the visual aesthetics of the piece connote and convey this making it successful.