Design Principles Task 2 (Visual Analysis & Ideation)

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 2 (Visual Analysis & Ideation)

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CONTENTS

Instructions

Task 2

References

Feedback

Reflection

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INSTRUCTIONS

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TASK

Task 2 - Visual Analysis & Ideation (40%)

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

2. Re-upload here the design work that you have selected in Task 1, along with its credit line.

3. Conduct a visual analysis of the design. Articulate your observation and critical, analytical thoughts in about 300 to 400 words. Refer to Visual Analysis lecture notes and step-by-step guide.

4. Cite your references and include a reference list at the end of the writing.

5. Next, using your design principles knowledge, sketch 3 ideas that are inspired by the selected design.

6. Describe each idea and support it with a rationale in about 30-50 words. You may include some visual references (cite the sources) that inspire your own ideas.

7. Include the feedback that you received from your lecturer in the Task 2 blogpost.

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: SELECTED DESIGN

Figure 1.0, Le miroir rouge / The Red Mirror, 1914 by Georges Lepape (Prints and multiples, Pochoir with metallic paint, 27.5 x 22 cm. (10.8 x 8.7 in.)) (https://www.artnet.com/artists/georges-lepape/le-miroir-rouge-the-red-mirror-a-wYmvbXLjXHJFI6suMqI3tQ2), Week 4(26/02/2026)

1. VISUAL ANALYSIS

At first glace, this painting is a portrait work of what appears to be a woman, on the left hand side of the composition, with short brown hair applying makeup and looking at a large red/ orange mirror. She has blueish grey eyes, wearing pink nails and pink lipstick. She is wearing two white rings and one yellow ring, as well as a blue earring. There is an orange border around the design, and the background is the same colour as her skin tone. The primary visual elements would be the bright large red/ orange mirror, as well as the brown swirl design on it, as well as the contrast against the soft dull colour pallette. Altogether, this piece feels very warm and muted, with a pop of orange/ red elements. The lines are thin and controlled, using a combination of grey and colour fine strokes, aside from the thick orange border.

The design follows an asymmetrical balance, with elements with heavier visual weight on the left (the woman's face), and bottom right of the work (the red hand mirror), keeping the top right almost empty. The hand mirror on the right half bottom section, which gets balanced against the weight of the top and bottom left section, with lighter colours and strokes. There is emphasis through the large bright red/ orange mirror, also with the darker thicker swirl design on it, these colours are contrasted against the duller neutral tones of the rest of the piece. Arguably, through the principle of figure ground, a clear distinction between the subject skin tone, and background is made through the strong silhouette, as well as the contrasting colours against the minimal background details. Lastly, the harmonious palette, even with this contrast made, and the repetitive circle, oval shapes used keeps the piece unified and organic. Through the alignment of circles made across a path, the eyes may travel back and forth from the red mirror to the woman. 

Figure 1.1, The Red Mirror annotated, (10/03/2025)

The Red Mirror, 1914, by Georges Lepape, adopts an Art deco/ Art noveau art style with a fusion of Cubist elements, which freshly emerged and was introduced around the 1910s. His aesthetics were inspired from Iranian manuscript illustrations, as well as “Orientalist” productions by the Ballets Russes in Paris in which Middle Eastern costumes often dominated.  Lepape's work deeply reflects a fashionist yet artistic approach, mainly catering to luxury fashion magazines during World War I. He ensured to keep his pieces both sentimental and patriotic, merging the realities of luxury and fashion to the everyday struggles of women during that era. This illustration, The Red Mirror, was created using a Pochoir Painting Technique: popular during the 19th century, this involved the layering of colours and shapes through hand-cut stencils. This kept his flat designs intentionally textured and the pigments unique in colour choices.

Figure 1.2, Pochoir Printing Techniques (https://www.stencilarchive.org/content/masters-pochoir), Week 5(05/03/2026)

2. SKETCHES

I drew 3 sketches for approval, taking inspiration from Lepape's art style and the way in which he communicates the design principles stated above. As each sketch developed, I found ways to tune it into my own visual voice and original idea through Dr Jin Chi's feedback.

:Sketch 1

Figure 1.3, Sketch 1, side by side comparison with and without line art, Week 6(09/03/2026)

This design was inspired as a direct contrast of "The Red Mirror" by Georges Lepape. I started of drawing a lineart version, but after studying Lepape's art style, I wanted to showcase more of it in my own work, hence version 2 of sketch 1. This direct juxtoposition can relate to the women of that era, and women of this era, through the fashion choices and the choice of object, from a red mirror to a smartphone. This could further emphasize the change women have gone through from the eras, from going to viewing themselves on a mirror to the camera on their device. I also applied similar design principles, establishing harmony through the muted palette, making the device object largely proportionate in size, with a bright blue contrasting colour to hold emphasis. Further the use of asymmetrical balance is also followed. However, this piece feels too on the nose and more of a direct opposite of the original. I felt as though my final needed to feel more original and inspired as its own work with its own meaning.

:Timelapse

Figure 1.4, Sketch 1 Timelapse, Week 6(09/03/2026)

:Sketch 2

Figure 1.5, Sketch 2, side by side comparison with Chris Ricardi's artwork (https://www.pinterest.com/ikehorton1/chris-ricciardi/), Week 6(12/03/2026)

This sketch, heavily influenced by Chris Ricardi's artwork, has interesting proportions, contrast and emphasis that I wanted to play around, almost merging Lepape and Ricardi's concept and message. My sketch took Lepape's use of size and colour to create asymmetrical balance and emphasis, whilst also keeping some of my original message of women's perceptions of themselves, through a reflection of a mirror. I again wanted to highlight the evolution of women in today's age, the increased freedom of self expression and choices when it came to viewing themselves, seeing an alternate version of themselves, or the potential of what can be. However, once more upon scrutiny, I realized how it lacked originality and again felt even more so like a copy. I decided to keep the message clear however come up with my own composition and original storytelling. 

:Timelapse

Figure 1.6, Sketch 2 Timelapse, Week 6(12/03/2026)

:Sketch 3 - chosen work

Figure 1.7, Sketch 3, Week 6(12/03/2026)

My third sketch includes my own composed idea of a woman contemplating her alternate selves and the perceptions she has of herself. This piece keeps my own visual voice intact, whilst reflecting on the message of the modern day women and self-reflection. I created two versions with changes to the palette for visual interest to be developed in Task 3, however the message remains intact. Instead of a tangible object of reflection, this conveys an emotional reflection going through a woman's mind. This can still depict the evolution of modern day women compared to Lepape's presentation of woman during World Way 1 and how modern women have more freedom of presentation and focus on many aspects of the self and expression rather than conventional beauty standards of the time . I further applied Lepape's use of design principles, with a bright contrasting pink used to convey the mental image, this establishes an asymmetrical balance in the piece and further keeps a harmonious muted palette to contrast against the pink. The proportions are reversed in this piece, keeping the subject at large. The use of a repeated face rather than shapes can also lead the eyes from the first mental image to the very last. This piece I feel is my strongest as it consists of the most originality and feels referenced rather than copied. The message is clear, the composition is thought out, this piece can face further developments and keep its overall standing.

:Timelapse

Figure 1.8, Sketch 3 Timelapse, Week 6(12/03/2026)

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REFERENCES

Georges Lepape. (2023). Rug & Kim.com. 

https://rugandkilim.com/blogs/a-profile-on-georges-lepape-master-of-art-deco-fashion-and-1920s-decorative-arts/?srsltid=AfmBOopu8iPf_HOkoxMJ-I866eO8mxYoSTlMYC7zlOQi_otcJWOi6x85

Masters of the Pochoir | Stencil Archive. (2018, February 2). Stencilarchive.org. 

https://www.stencilarchive.org/content/masters-pochoir

17 Chris Ricciardi ideas | retro art, art inspiration, character design. (2019, August 14). Pinterest.

https://www.pinterest.com/ikehorton1/chris-ricciardi/

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FEEDBACK

Week 5

Specific Feedback: Try to use some images to explain some of your concepts. Your written analysis is good, try to include more clarity in some areas. Include some history and backstory on the piece, if you cannot find specific information, try to relate it to that era and what art meant then, you can refer to the slides for an example of this.

General Feedback: Guys, make sure that your visual analysis includes a history of the artist's techniques/ or art of that time and relate it to the piece you've chosen and your sketches really reflect what you have learnt, with the design principles, but don't make it a direct copy. 

Week 6

Specific Feedback: I really like your art style, I feel like it really reflects on your personal voice, whilst taking inspiration from the original artist. With each of your pieces, I want you to really reflect on your strengths when selecting your final chosen piece. I want you to think for yourself and dissect your own art, come to your own conclusions when picking your strongest work. Convince me why you think this, and learn not to only reflect on another artist's piece, but your own work as well. 

General Feedback: Deadline is this week Sunday guys, make sure to have 3 sketches by then and explain your rationale to me before doing so. Keep your work original and strong, and explain to me the meaning of each one.

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REFLECTION

Experience: Task 2 was incredibly enjoyable and eye-opening. I loved applying my own art style and visual voice through my work, and with each feedback, I felt more confident to present my own ideas and make my own decisions. Classes were more easygoing, and with the deadline closer, I felt as though there was less heavy work to be done for this task, and had more fun experimenting and drawing.

Observations: While looking through other works, I noticed many enjoyed embedding their own personal touch and voice into their work, each of us taking this task differently. Each individual had their own art style and medium which inspired me to broaden my thinking. I noticed others struggled to keep their work original and almost felt like a direct copy, which I found myself avidly taking measures to avoid.

Findings: Through my research, I noticed how inspiration and references from multiple artists can help contextualize my work. Each artist uses design principles to communicate their own story. Without blinding drawing, it's important to take references and understand my own message how I want to compose my own work. Each artist had their own visual style and voice, and I needed to learn how to apply more of my own context.