Design Principles Task 3 - Development & Design

2nd February 2026 (Week 1)  -  2026 (Week 4)

Insha Thahirah Rajab - 0360671

Design Principles - Section 02

Bachelor's Degree  in Creative Media (Honors) - Taylors University

Task 3 (Visual Analysis & Ideation)

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CONTENTS

Instructions

Task 3

Feedback

Reflection

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INSTRUCTIONS

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TASK

Task 3 - Development and Design (40%)

1. Recap this task (summarise your understanding of what you are required to do).

2. Select one of the 3 ideas you proposed in Task 2.

3. Develop and refine it through colour exploration, composition, typeface, positioning, etc., with design principles in mind.

4. Finalise your idea and give it a suitable title.

5. Create your final design in A4 size, JPEG format in at least 300dpi pixel size.

6. Upload the design and include a caption under it. The caption should be written as, Title of design_Your full name_Task 3.

7. Write a 200-word rationale explaining/defending:

i) the decisions made in your design,

ii) the meaning/purpose of the design and

iii) the design principles that are employed to create the design.

8. Include the feedback that you received from your lecturer in the Task 3 blogpost.

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: CHOSEN ARTWORK

Figure 1.0, Chosen Sketch, Week 6(14/03/2026)

1. DEVELOPMENT

I developed this sketch into many other versions, playing around with colour/ composition/ sizing to see which suits best and fits a narrative that I wish to convey to viewers.

:Development 1

Figure 1.1, Development 1, Week 7(16/03/2026)

I recoloured the design to see if it would fit a different aesthetic/ race, I also redrew the features to fit this change. The colour became more dark, dull, and muted. Although this change was nice, it didn't speak to me as much as the first design, so I discarded this concept.

:Development 2

Figure 1.2, Development 2 (side-by-side), Week 7(19/03/2026)

For my first rendition of this development, I moved the subject more towards the side to get one eye in the frame instead of an awkward 1/3 of her face showing. I liked the balance in this a lot more, it felt more precise. I took it one step further in my second rendition and included skin tone colours for the tiny thumbnail women on top to add more emphasis. I also changed the background colour to make it pop. This was a better start for me.

:Development 3

Figure 1.3 Development 3, Week 7(19/03/2026)

I took development 2 and decided to elevate it by the use of principle of figure-ground. Using purple for the entirety of the background connecting to her head gives the image of her hair free flowing, can also give the effect of her head being open, and the women images being more obviously part of her mind. This showcase my message more clearly.

:Development 4

Figure 1.4, Development 4, Week 7(19/03/2026)

I took a different approach for development 4, and decided to work with different sizings/ layout. I moved the subject completely to center and enlarged the women icons to the top center of the work. I included a blue squiggle behind to further enhance the mind image. This was a strong piece as well, The centering felt more on theme and I liked the balance and symmetry in this.

:Development 5

Figure 1.5, Development 5, Week 7(19/03/2026)

For development 5, I kept the centered design but kept the original proportions of the woman and the tiny heads. I kept the heads inside the mind and left the blue squiggles. This automatically became one of my strongest pieces. There was harmony, symmetry, and balance, and the piece felt visually interesting.

:Development 6

Figure 1.6, Development 6, Week 7(19/03/2026)

My final development felt like a combination of all the techniques I applied before. Keeping the piece centered and backing the background feel like her hair/ head open. The three women on top has different skin tones and remins within the boundry of the mind. This was my second strongest work.

2. COMPARISON

Figure 1.7, Comparison of Development 5 & 6, Week 7(19/03/2026)

I placed a side-by-side comparison of my two strongest pieces, to decide which would be my final work. With the help of miss, I concluded that the one on the right (Development 6), would be my best pick. It is eye-catching, visually interesting and I liked the use of principle of figure-ground. 

4. FINAL DESIGN

Figure 1.8, A woman's perception_ Insha Thahira Rajab_ Task 3, Week 8 (22/03/2026)

A woman's perception, a digital artwork made on Ipad, tells the story of a modern day woman reflecting on her alternate selves, what she could have been/ different ways she feels she can present herself. She is centered and sports a deep purple hair, with her woman visions above her a bright pink, each with different skin tones to signify different backgrounds of what she thinks she could have been. This work emphasizes self-expression and the freedom of choices that are granted to modern day woman that some may not have the opportunity to have yet. I took inspiration from Georges Lepape, "The Red Mirror" which is a depiction of a woman during World War I. My work is a direct juxtoposition of that standing, and adopts Lepape's beloved art style and dull colour palette. Several design principles are also implemented in my work. My design is harmonious and consists of a balanced symmetry. The use of a bright contrasting pink against the unified muted palette creates an emphasis to the mental images. The background is purple yet connects to the subjects head, creating a distinct silhouette through the use of principle of figure-ground. All of this comes together to create a subtle yet powerful message to women out there, whilst remaining aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

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FEEDBACK

Week 7

Specific Feedback: You can develop your sketch a lot more. You dont need to change much if you're happy with this but play around with colour/ compositions and try to refine your task 2 idea further, Make it your own, but show which aspect of the artist have you adopted in your work, from your art style, I can see how that has influences you.

General Feedback: Make sure to check the announcement I posted on teams. For final compilation, do follow the instructions given and include a reflection. A video tutorial will be posted for submitting, especially for compiling the final merged PDF. 

Week 8

Specific Feedback: I think the little change like the length of earrings makes a difference in the composition. It balances out the weight at the top. Please add into your rationale how this design was inspired by the original art work. Remember that you must have a Final Compilation blogpost. Please check the Module Assessment Tasks document for contents to be included in this blogpost. Check my message in the group about submission instructions. 

General Feedback: Merge your PDF's. Send me Task 1, Task 2, Task 3, and your final compilation blog link.

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REFLECTION

Experience: Task 3 proved to be fun and introspective. Classes were lighthearted and I spent most of my time reworking different developments until I found changes that work. Seeing my design improve with every rendition felt very satisfying and eye-opening. I understood how these subtle adjustments can enhance a work and its message.

Observations: Observing others work helped me understand the stages of development an artwork needs to go through before its ready to be submitted as a final work. Looking through example e-portfolio's also helped, and and I could comprehend how to make thes subtle changes in my work: playing around with different sizings, shapes, colours etc.

Findings: Through research on other works, I understood how to gather inspiration from a key artist of my choice, whilst keeping my own style and own applied design principles. This can create an entirely new original work with its own themes.