Design Principles | Task 3 - Development & Design

|| 3/3/25 – 17/3/25 (Week 5 – Week 7)

|| Tee Zi Tong, 0366165

|| Design Principles

|| Task 3: Development & Design (40%)

CONTENT LIST 

1. Module Information Brief 

2. Lectures Notes 

3. Task 3: Development & Design

4. Reflections 

MODULE INFORMATION BOOKLET 

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LECTURES NOTES 

Lecture 6 / Visual Analysis

Phase 1: Observation

Examine each aspect of visual composition in the artwork before describing it through your own words while maintaining detailed understanding.

Phase 2: Analysis

After observation you should develop insights about the artwork.

How design principles affect perception when viewed by a person is a topic for discussion.

Through analysis explain the paths by which viewers follow across the work when looking at it.

Phase 3: Interpretation

You should combine your previous discussion about the artwork while highlighting artist information and historical context with validated references.

Analyze the true significance together with the original plan of the design.

TASK 3 - DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN

Recap for Task 2 

Link to Task 2 - Design Principles | Task 2 - Visual Analysis & Ideation 

Idea 1 - 

Idea 2 -

Idea 3 - 

Final Idea Compilation  

Feedback

Week 6 - Mr. Fauzi said he likes the way I created this artwork using Adobe Illustrator. He advised me to add text in the empty space on the ground. He also encouraged me to proceed with my idea of having the clocks float in the sky.

Week 6 progress

Final Artwork

Task 3 Final Artwork

200words Rationale 

The artwork Fading Time: What Remains is a contemporary exploration of time’s elusive and transient nature, drawing inspiration from Salvador Dalí’s iconic painting The Persistence of Memory. Central to the piece is the theme of time’s impermanence, symbolized through surreal and dreamlike imagery. The artwork features floating and melting clocks, reminiscent of Dalí’s iconic timepieces, which represent the fluidity and fragility of time as it slips away, dissolving into nothingness. These elements create a disorienting, dreamlike atmosphere, emphasizing how time can warp and vanish, leaving behind a sense of uncertainty and introspection.

 The barren tree beneath a dark, brooding sky and the distorted, decaying landscape further underscores the inevitability of time’s passage and the natural cycle of decline. These elements evoke a sense of melancholy, reflecting on the ephemeral nature of life and memory. The clocks scattered across the sky suggest that time exists beyond human control, an intangible force that governs existence while remaining just out of reach.

The typography, with its bold, warped letters, adds emotional depth to the piece. The phrase “When TIMES slipped through your fingers” evokes a sense of nostalgia and regret, while the haunting question “WHAT REMAINS?” challenges the viewer to reflect on what endures after time has passed. By blending Dalí’s surrealist vision with contemporary artistic expression, the artwork invites contemplation on the fragility of memory, the passage of time, and the enduring mysteries of existence, leaving the viewer with a profound sense of wonder and introspection.

Breakdown of My Rationale

Decisions Made in My Design:

1. Use of Surrealism: Inspired by Salvador Dalí's The Persistence of Memory, I chose to incorporate melting clocks to illustrate the fluidity of time.
2. Floating Clocks: By placing clocks in the sky, I emphasized the idea that time is fleeting and out of human control.
3. Typography Placement: The text "When TIMES slipped through your fingers" is positioned strategically to interact with the composition, guiding the viewer’s eye.
4. Color Choices: I used a muted, earthy palette with hints of blue and yellow to create a melancholic yet mysterious atmosphere.
5. Distorted Forms: The tree, ground, and draped figures are warped to enhance the feeling of an unstable reality, reinforcing the theme of time distortion.

Meaning/Purpose of the Design

The artwork delves into the unavoidable procession of time by investigating the nature of everything which disappears throughout its passage. The shattered timepieces demonstrate that trying to grasp time means nothing because time escapes us constantly. A transparent sky overrides the dry field of ground to mold a visual representation of empty destruction yet unrestrainable duration. The implementation of typography guides the audience to experience nostalgic contemplation. The partially deformed human face in the composition stands for the progression of life along with its themes of both aging and stored memory. As a visual representation the artwork explains how life constantly changes over time.

Design Principles Used to Create the Design

1. Surrealism & Emphasis – The dreamlike quality and unusual clock placements create an immediate visual impact, making time the focal theme.
2. Contrast – The dark tree and melting clocks contrast with the lighter sky, drawing attention to key elements. The text also contrasts in size and placement for emphasis.
3. Movement & Rhythm – The curving forms and flowing clocks guide the viewer's eye across the artwork, enhancing the sense of time slipping away.
4. Balance & Asymmetry – The composition is asymmetrical, yet balanced, with elements strategically placed to maintain harmony.
5. Typography & Visual Connection – The placement of words interacts with the imagery, reinforcing the message through both visuals and text.

REFLECTIONS 

This project was both challenging and rewarding. It allowed me to experiment with surrealism while applying key design principles. I learned how to use visual elements to reinforce a concept and convey deeper emotions through composition and typography. The process of creating this artwork deepened my understanding of how time can be represented artistically. Mr. Fauzi's feedback helped me refine the piece, particularly in adding text to enhance the message. Overall, I enjoyed the creative process and gained a greater appreciation for using design to evoke thought-provoking themes.