DESIGN PRINCIPLES FINAL COMPILATION

Design Principles | Compilation

03/02/2025 - 19/03/2025 | Week 1-7

Jesslyn Octavia Tjong / 0374562 / Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media

Design Principles / Taylors' University

TASK 1

Title: Impression, Sunrise

Artist Name: Claude Monet

Year: 1872

Size: Approximately 65 cm x 50 cm

Medium: Oil on canvas

Source : https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/impression-sunrise-by-claude-monet/ (08/02/25)

THE REASON I CHOSE THIS ARTWORK :

I chose this artwork, "Impression, Sunrise" by Claude Monet, primarily for the immediate impact it had on me. The colors are absolutely stunning from the contrast of the vibrant, almost electric orange sunrise showing emphasis against a backdrop of cool blues and greens. Beyond the visual appeal, there's a sense of serenity that washes over me when I look at it. The loose brushstrokes and the way Monet captures the fleeting impression of light's movement create a feeling of calm and tranquility. 

Following the great points of Impressionism, "Impression, Sunrise" demonstrates Claude Monet's extraordinary ability to capture the fleeting moments of everyday life. He doesn't just paint a picture of a sunrise because he is able to convey emotionally the feeling of that sunrise, the fleeting beauty, and the sense of awe it inspires through its harmonious appeal.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES SHOWN :

• Contrast:
• The vivid contrast between the warm oranges and cool blues creates a dynamic effect (“Dynamic Composition: Art & Techniques | StudySmarter,” 2019). The orange sun contrasts sharply with the cooler shades of the water and sky, making the sun the focal point.
• Emphasis:
• The sun, along with the reflections in the water, is the central focus. The bright orange sun draws the viewer's eye immediately. 
• The color of the boats' silhouettes shows emphasis and the presence of their angled positions in the composition. 
• Harmony:
• The overall color palette (soft blues, oranges, and muted tones) is harmonious, contributing to the peaceful atmosphere of the painting.

Although it is not as strong, this piece of art demonstrates another design principle: 

• Repetition:
• The ripples in the water and the soft horizontal lines of the horizon create a rhythmic repetition that mimics the calmness of the scene.
• Movement:
• The brushstrokes and blending of colors suggest movement, especially the misty transitions in the water and sky, conveying the idea of wind and water shifting.
• The sun is the most visually dominant element, followed by the gentle waves and the boats, establishing a visual hierarchy.
• The horizontal lines of the water and the distant horizon align with the sun’s position, creating a sense of structure and flow.
• The angled boats' positions show the implied movement of water suggesting a sense of motion.
• Balance:
• The painting is balanced through the distribution of colors and shapes. While the sun is off-center, the misty reflections in the water provide evenness preventing one side from feeling heavier.
• Rule of Thirds plays in this composition with the horizon and the sun placed off-center, guiding the viewer's eye across the artwork. 
• The size of the sun to the boats in the foreground is well-proportioned, adding to the sense of vast space and natural realism.

TASK 2

Selected Artwork

Title: Impression, Sunrise

Artist Name: Claude Monet

Year: 1872

Size: Approximately 65 cm x 50 cm

Medium: Oil on canvas

Source: https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/impression-sunrise-by-claude-monet/ (08/02/25)

The design principles shown in this selected artwork are emphasis, contrast, movement, and harmony.

1. Observation: "Impression, Sunrise" is an oil painting capturing a hazy, harmonious harbor at dawn.  I observe that the background scene of various ships is enveloped in the mist. I like the use of a cool, muted palette dominated by blues and grays that define the water and sky. I would like to say how the vibrant orange sun commands my attention even if it is positioned slightly off-center. Other than that, I see that there are three boats in the foreground. The closest boat is dark and appears as a silhouette. The middle boat is a lighter shade of gray. The furthest boat is barely visible and seems to blend into the background (Plessis, 2022). My final observation sees the overall effect of soft edges and blurry forms to convey the nature of a moment. (122 words).

2. Analysis: This painting’s emphasis is the depiction of light at dawn, drawing the eye and emphasizing the play of light across its reflection on the water. The hazy atmosphere, created by mist and early morning light, softens forms, creating depth and distance. The visible brushstrokes of en plein air style and the depiction of the water's surface contribute to the feeling of movement.  The complementary color scheme harmonizes warm oranges and cool blues creating visual interest and contrast, while the sun's glow, contrasted against the muted tones, creates a clear emphasis (Plessis, 2022). The painting's title, "Impression, Sunrise," highlights Monet's focus on capturing the fleeting impression of a moment rather than a detailed representation of the scene. (114 words)

3. Interpretation: The location depicted in "Impression, Sunrise" is Monet's hometown in Le Havre. This painting evokes a sense of tranquility and the morning chill where people begin their workday.  As a city dweller, I find harbors to be rare, and this scene resonates with the everyday lives of the working class. Perhaps due to his personal connection to the city, Monet focuses on the harbor's serene beauty at dawn rather than the port's ships or industrialized landscapes. This painting explores how light and atmosphere transform our sense of perception. This choice is significant as it changed the art scene from representing traditional academic scenes to the Impressionist era of capturing a personal way of seeing and representing the contemporary life to the world. ( 107 words )

Reference :

Plessis, A. du. (2022, January 19). “Impression, Sunrise” Claude Monet - Its Historical Significance. Retrieved

TASK 3

Jesslyn's Geometric Impression, Sunrise Task 3

  Rationale

This artwork began with a simple question of how to bring Monet's work into a contemporary context and of my own personal style. I decided to use a grid as my foundation, a way to organize the visual elements and play with Gestalt principles. In one of the main elements of the original artwork, harmonious colour has changed into basic geometric shapes with the colours, making the composition instantly readable.

The central circular element, the sun, became the focal point. Gestalt theories of proximity and similarity were used to group the triangles around it, drawing the eye and creating a sense of unity.  The industrial silhouettes, formed by grouping shapes based on proximity, provided a stark contrast to the organic feel of the sunrise. To maintain the hazy atmosphere of Monet's original, I used textures and soft edges, creating a sense of closure where the viewer's eye fills in the missing details. I tried to also portray figure-ground relationships where it was constantly shifting, allowing for multiple interpretations of the composition.

Most importantly, I also aimed for a balance between harmony and contrast.  The contrast between the warm sunrise hues and the cooler industrial elements created visual tension. Repetition of shapes and colors helped to unify the composition, while emphasis was placed on the sun to guide the viewer's gaze.  Ultimately, this piece is about reinterpreting a classic through a modern lens, using Gestalt principles, repetition, contrast, and harmony to create a visually engaging and thought-provoking composition.

( 247 words )

PDF COMPILATION

Link to download PDF

Final Reflection: Design Principles (GCD60804)

What have I learnt in this module?

This module has been a valuable journey of rediscovering and expanding my understanding of design principles. Relearning them through research and the introduction of Gestalt Theory has provided a clearer framework for analyzing and appreciating art, connecting me to historical figures like Monet. I've gained a deeper understanding of how design principles function both independently and cohesively to impact visual communication. I've also learned to apply these principles to analyze and reinterpret existing artworks.

What did I enjoy the most?

I particularly enjoyed the challenge of analyzing Monet's work and applying my newfound knowledge to reimagine his "Impression, Sunrise" in Task 3. This process allowed me to do critical thinking with creative application.

What did I not enjoy the most?

While the research aspect was beneficial, I found the initial stages of deciphering complex artworks challenging at times especially when I was used to analyzing works that had many interpretations while Impression, Sunrise was quite the straightforward kind. The tasks required a different type of careful attention to detail.

What have I learnt about myself through this module?

This module reinforced my ability to analyze and think critically. It also highlighted my capacity to adapt and evolve my creative process, particularly when incorporating feedback and new perspectives."

What has changed and what has not in my learning journey?

My approach to visual analysis has significantly sharpened. I now pay closer attention to the "why" behind artistic choices. My passion for creative expression, however, remains sparkling.

What are my aspirations?

I believe through this experience, observations and findings will undoubtedly create a bigger aspiration of understanding art, and design in a meaningful prospect I can utilize for future needs of the world. One of the biggest lessons I learned is to always have a good foundation of design principles.