Week 3 Mini Art School - 10 Item Critique

I was scanning a fashion magazine for pleasure but I found a few examples of appealing designs.  I settled on the vignette entitles Dream Weavers. The 10 design elements that I describe are based on my readings primarily from Design Basics Index and Principles of Design.

The principles I like are as follows:

·        Repetition – The pattern of Spider Man superhero masks which is eye-catching and makes the reader want to explore why a super-hero magazine is prominent in a piece about luxury shoes.

·        Proximity – The multiple Spider Man masks are arranged in a concentric pattern.  I felt like my eyes were moving in a clockwise motion like a web.

·        Alignment-The central placement of the shoe is intentional as the shoe represents prey caught in a web.  I think it compels the viewer to the text to assess why the shoe is caught. The author is encouraging exploration of the creative desires that get stuck in your mind.

·        Frame – There is no white space which has been discussed as a benefit that allows viewers to absorb the content. I think the lack of white space works well because there is supposed to be intensity caused by the shadows and patterns.

·        Balance – The asymmetrical balance is cleverly executed.  Spider Man is a hugely popular iconic figure. The masks color is matted so it does not overpower the single shoe. Also, the shoe’s texture (sequenced web and velvet black) is bold and much brighter. This change of color is necessary because there is only one shoe but multiple masks.

·        Contrast – The sparkled wedge shoe with a spider web motif is a great pop of color. Also recognizing that the design is a web reinforces the unexpected connection of a superhero image and designer shoe. 

·        Size – The single shoe is very detailed and therefore is dominant. The photographer doesn’t make it the largest item because the details and size would be overwhelming and thus clash with the multitude of patterns from the masks.  

·        Theme- Spider Man is a popular fantasy character known for bold action and incredible risks. While fashion is not dangerous, it involves taking risks. The shoe is bold and unexpected. The sparkled spider web design on the shoe also ties into the spider concept.

·        Gutter – a black background and white text works well because it doesn’t distract from the brightest element of the picture which is the shoe.  

·        Color – At first the image seems devoid of much color as the most prominent element is a white sparkled shoe. The use of shadows and low intensity is also compelling. Subtlety in the background but saturation for the main element works well in a fashion concept. Accessories like shoes are often promoted as must have quality elements to pull a look together.

Garcia, Nina. “Dream Weaver.” Marie Claire 24, 10 (October 2017): 65

Krause, J. (2004). Design Basics Index: A Graphic Designer’s Guide to Designing Effective

      Compositions, Selecting Dynamic Components & Developing Creative Concepts . HOW Design          Books: Cincinnati, OH.

Principles of Design. Retrieved from www.Northerhighlands.org/cms/libs on September 23, 2017