Anoushka Bedi - Task 2 Visual Analysis

Visual Analysis Assignment Brief

After Task 1, according to our MIB we proceed to Visual analysis. This is a pretty cool method used to understand design by examining its visual elements and principles. 

Its a process to dive deeper into the art work, through multiple filters. It opens up one's mind in a way that helps develop the skill of critical thinking. 

It involves closely analyzing the structure of a design, not just for aesthetic purposes but to uncover the designer's choices and how they communicate ideas, content, or meaning.  Messaging is what makes art moving.

 This process helps in understanding how formal properties—such as color, shape, texture, and composition—work together to convey a message or evoke an emotional response. 

From the selected art in task 1, I will develop a deeper understanding through the three phases of; observation, analysis and interpretation.

Visual Analysis

Fig 1:Naga Fabric Digital Design, Created by "Rea by Rhea", Artist; Rhea, November 2024

Fig 1.1:Rea by Rhea Naga Blazer (unisex)https://reabyrhea.com/products/naga-blazer

Observation:

Fig 1 digital print is presented in a portrait layout, showcasing a symmetrical pattern with two snakes positioned on either side of the horizontal axis. Their eyes gaze upward, mouths open with extended tongues. This positioning of both snakes facing each other , looks like they are preying on each other.

I also found it pretty intresting how only sections of their bodies are visible, filled with intricate designs. Both snakes share similar scale patterns, with geometric shapes that are imprinted on their bellies and more fluid, organic forms covering their scales.

On the contrast, in the vertical axis, flowers are positioned at the top and bottom of the pattern. I found it really intresting how the artist linked both the elements of ; snakes and flowers through the snakes tounge. The bottom flower connects to each snake’s forked tongue, further more if you look at it closely, the tounge takes on an exaggerated, flowing form, in comparision to reality. Overall, heighten the dramatic effect.

The predominant colors being presented are; hues of red and blue. The combination of primary colors which could also be categorized as part of the triadic color scheme, along with yellow. 

Analysis:

This digital print is structured in a portrait layout, with symmetry being the most evedent design principle. As we explore the two main symbols; snakes and flowers, we see how symmetry has been imprinted.

Each flower is composed of symmetrical shapes (clean curved lines) that extend outward into more organic forms (flowy curves), creating a harmonious balance between structure and fluidity.

The symmetrical arrangement of the two snakes along the horizontal axis also shows signs of balance and stability, drawing the viewer's eye to the center of the composition, where all the elements join together.

The upward gaze of the snakes and their open mouths with extended tongues evokes a sense of tension, as though they are locked in a predatory standoff.

Furthermore the decision to depict only sections of the snakes' bodies made most of my attention go on the intricacy of their design rather than their full form, emphasizing the texture, detail and more importantly the color of the pattern itself.

The contrasting scale patterns further reinforce visual interest. The geometric shapes on the snakes' bellies provide structure and order, while the organic, flowing forms on their scales introduce movement and fluidity. This contrast highlights the duality between rigidity and flow, adding complexity and movement to the overall composition.

On the other hand, the vertical axis, the floral elements are placed at both the top and bottom, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. The bottom flower, with each snake's forked tongue extending toward it, serves as a focal point, creating a connection between these two symbols. The tongues, exaggerated in length and fluidity, deviate from realistic proportions, enhances the dramatic effect, evoking a sense of curiosity and guiding the viewer's eye along their curving paths toward the central floral motif.

The contrast explored in the the flowers by the symmetrical structures and organic shapes, maintains harmony while softening the composition's overall insentisty.

Color plays a crucial role in unifying the design. The dominant hues of red and blue, both primary colors, form a striking contrast while maintaining balance. This combination aligns with a triadic color scheme, which would traditionally include yellow, further enhancing the vibrancy and energy of the artwork. The red evokes intensity and passion, while the blue introduces a calming counterbalance, ensuring the composition feels dynamic yet cohesive.

Ultimately, the interplay of symmetry, contrasting shapes, and bold color choices not only enhances visual appeal but also evokes a sense of controlled tension, somewhat similar to the emotion from a sieren makeup look in my opinion.

Interpretation:

The artist mentioned the intent behind this creation being " It’s the core of everything we create, blending indian tradition and artistry with every stitch. From motifs to silhouettes, every piece is a celebration of our roots reimagined for the present." 

From this intent itself, i can clearly correlate how the design does justice to that statement.

"Naga"; the name of the digital print,  refering to a semi-divine being in Hindu mythology.

A creature that was half human and half cobra. 

This justifies the choice of showcasing only a section of the snake. 

Taking direct inspiration from a mythology also explains the choice of bold colors and intricate design, futher evoking sense of divinity. In my opinion this sense of divinity present throughout the digital print is the result of the design principle of contrast; that highlights the tension between the earthly and the ethereal, the tangible and the transcendent.

Upon research into the histroy of Naga's i found this reasoning behind thier existence, "The creator deity Brahma relegated the nagas to the nether regions when they became too populous on earth and commanded them to bite only the truly evil or those destined to die prematurely. They are also associated with waters—rivers, lakes, seas, and wells—and are guardians of treasure".https://www.britannica.com/topic/naga-Hindu-mythology 

This part of history closely relates to the artist's choice in depicting how the snakes are designed. What looks like they are preying on each other is actually the representation of thier power in defining one's destiny and destory the "truly evil". 

Where thier forked tounges connect to the flower, fulfills more that just a way of connecting the two symbols, acting as a design choice in creating a focal point. This deisgn choice could possibly be a direct refernce of how these creatures use to be seen as a guardians of tresure. The tresure being the flower in this case. 

That made me really think, what kind of tresure does the flower represent?

This spark of curiosity made me look about to the intention of the art work; "every piece is a celebration of our roots reimagined for the present". Flowers in the indian culture is commonly found when we celebrate big events, or rituals where we shower our gods with bright colors flowers. And that could be what the artist meantby "celeration of our roots". Her design of the naga's protecting the flowers is her attempt in conveying the idea of, preservating our traditions and or rituals. 

The choice of making this print in a digital form further supports the intention of reimagining heritage for the present. By translating these motifs into a digital medium, the designer preserves the essence of heritage while adapting it to contemporary design processes.

Improvised Designs:

Idea 1: 

Concept: Emphasized on the Gestalt Theory of ; "Closure and Continuity" while also maintatining the element of balance from the original design. 

Inspiration:

The inspiration for this design came from Fig 2: Mugal Floral Motifs on thier Architecture. The old Mughal gardens' everlasting life was given permanency by building adornment. 

This feature also demonstrated the remarkable contribution of certain floral themes that showed up in key locations and infused the greatest level of paradisiacal symbolism.

Fig 2: Mughal flower motif, blend of Persian and Indian artistic traditions during the Mugal Empire in India (16th- 18th Centuries)

This idea of preserving the beauty of Mugal's Gardens sparked a thougth of how this idea of giving "permenance" came from a strong desire to keep up an identity of the empire at that era. This is quite similar to how each individual's feel towards thier own identity and how deeply they try to protect thier idea of "self". 

Which further inpired me to incorporate this Mugal Floral Motif as a symbolizim of "self" and the snake as a symbolism of "protection".

Refernce : 

Fig 2.1:Red Snake Tattoo, Size: 13,5cm x 9,6cm, from Tempo Tattoo

Fig 2.2: Mughal flower motif, Lotus Flower

Fig 2.3: Exploration of combining my refernces 

Idea 1 Sketch :

Fig 2.4: Sketch idea 1

Rationale:

    Fig 2.4 is inspired by the Mughal Architecture, the idea of "permanency" through preservation, the design came to life to represent this exact human tendency to preserve one's idea of "self".

We often see this tendency through defense mechanisms like denial, social strategies like validation seeking, cognitive biases like self-serving bias, identity preservation through clinging to a group identity, and emotional coping mechanisms like humor, and detachment are all ways that people protect their sense of self.

This is what the snake symbolize as it wraps around the lotus, following the Gestalt Theory of ; "Closure and Continuity". Even with gaps in the snake's body, the brain completes the form. Its intertwining with the floral elements creates a dynamic flow that guides the viewer's eye.

Idea 2: 

Concept: Emphasized on the principle of Blanace of ; "Golden ratio" while also experimenting with a different colorscheme. 

Inspiration:

Expanding on the idea and concept of identity, i explored further into philisophies that deepens our knowledge of our identities. This is when i came across "dualism" 

In identity theory, "dualism" refers to the concept that a person's identity is constituted of two different entities: a physical body and a non-physical mind (sometimes known as a soul). Dualism has ancient origins and has been expressed in many different belief systems, including religion, philosophy, and psychology. 

I wanted to capture that while maitinaing the sense of tension from the original deisgn. 

Reference :

Fig 3: Lotus Painting  by

Kayode Igbasanmi

 , Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 101.6 W x 76.2 H x 3 D cm

Idea 2 Sketch:

Fig 3.1: Sketch idea 2

Rationale:

Fig 3.1 is inspired by Dualism. Dulalism is a philosophy that expressed the differnce between our non physical and physical world. The lotus being a sacred flower in many traditions, is place right at the center to symbolize the englightment of one's life purpose. Duality is present when one tries to navigate thier life purpose, but strugles in the journey towards it with conflicts that often presents the choice between the materialistc and spiritual decision. 

Capturing this with the two snakes on both ends, in a position of preying on each other, acted as a symbolism towards this internal conflict. Using this composition, i was able to , follows the rule of thirds for balance, with the snakes' curves loosely following the golden ratio, guiding the viewer’s eye organically from one snake to the lotus then the opposite snake. This overall compsition along with the attemp in expeiremnting with complenntary colors of red and green, enhances the design’s natural harmony, and messaging. 

Idea 3: 

Concept: Emphasized on the principle of Blanace of ; "Rule of Thirds" while also experimenting with the principle of emphasis. 

Inspiration:

Exploring further into our identity I want to experiment by interchanging the elements, playing with their dynamics. Instead of the flower being the focal point of the design, how could I incorporate the snake to be the focal point. From this curiosity I research more about the concept of Nagas. 

That's when I found out about how Nāgas represent the dichotomy of protection and destruction, a prevalent subject in Hinduism and Buddhism. This also links the previous idea of dualism. Nāgas are known to protect sacred waters, temples, and treasures, often assisting those who are worthy. If disrespected, Nāgas can unleash floods, storms, or venomous wrath, making them formidable beings.

Reference :

Fif 4: Digital Drawing of a snake's facial structure 

Idea 3 Sketch:

Fig 4.1: Sketch idea 3

Rationale:

Fig 4.1 design switches the attention from the flower to the snake, making it the main focal point. The composition is guided by the rule of thirds, which places the snake's face in the center and frames it with the flowers. The juxtaposition of the serpent's fury and delicate blossoms represents Nāgas' dual nature of protection and destruction.

This design also uses emphasis with the color scheme of deeper hues of red, and the dominant black background that allows the white roses to create a striking impact on the design.

Feedback:

Week 4: Ms, mentioned tmy interpretation even deeper and clarifies how my doubts on the improvised sketches.

Week 5: For my first sketch idea, Ms mentioned how it it looks like i just simply combine my two references. So she mentioned to keep that as a design experiement and change the floral motif into something that ive originally deisgned. She also mentioned to add figure numbers to each of my images to have a more structured blog post. I made the according changes and finalized my task 3 artwork to be based on sketch ideas 1 and 2.