Week One: Precedents on Topic

Poster from the "Look Campaign" by Gerard Casey and Aaron O'Driscoll.
The photograph is primarily very dark around the edges with the exception of the light at the top of the picture, I think the artist has used this to signify hope of escaping homelessness. The scale of the hand ensures the message of the poster is strongly communicated as it is on of the largest elements. The hand is also used to create flow and lead the viewers key up the page. The people in the background are captured mid step, implying movement which enables the viewer to continue to imagine the scene. This image is very symmetrical, with two buildings either side, the posts in the ground and even the people which gives it a passive feel. Through the use of this photograph the designer has been able to give a sense of depth, also by taking the photograph from an upwards angle this reinforces the subject matter. Lastly the designer has used colour to draw attention to the logo.

TwoOne - Created at the arist Invaders, Seniors Live Painting Event in Melbourne.
The designer has used contrast in this work by making the text red this ensures that it is the first thing the audience looks at. The image surrounding the sign is primarily darker coloured so this also enables the sign to become the key element. The elements on the page are symmetrical. This design strongly uses pastiche as it imitates the style of Banksy.









Sascha Hass
The designer has used contrast in scale and colour to ensure that the title of the magazine stands out as the background is quite busy it could be easy for it to get lost, creating a clear visual hierarchy. This design has a claer movment as it has text so naturally (in the Western World) the design is viewed from left to right and top to bottom. Pastiche is used in this design by looking at the artist Dick Frizzell. (Note this is the analysis of the third design)

Week One: Mind Map Exploring Inequality in New Zealand

 In class we worked as a group to explore inequality within New Zealand, we then created a mind map. From this mind map we focused on a specific area and created a pros and cons list for several of the areas (refer to images below).

Week One: Pictionary Task

In this Pictionary task we explored how an idea or word can quickly be communicated using symbols and drawing. This task illustrated that the actual imagery in our posters do not need to be complex in order to effectively communicate our chosen topic.

Week One: Identifying Ihi and Wehi Homework

 Image One

Ihi: Colour (using a simple colour palette to represent the water, blue and the fish or rubbish pink/brown), scale (the sushi is the biggest element on the poster making it the first place the viewer looks) and line (the chop sticks are used to create a line towards the sushi and then the text).

Wehi: Disgust (first the eye is drawn to the sushi made of plastic which evokes a feeling of disgust), Humor (there could be a hint of humor in this poster as it is a joke to think of eating sushi rolled in plastic) and juxtaposition (by using very calming colours and a simple design the designer could be utilizing juxtaposition to show that the amount of plastic ending up in the ocean is a very serious issue).

 Image Two

Ihi: Subversive and simple (the designer has only used a photograph in as the main part of the design with a small logo and additional information on the handle).

Wehi: Shocking (this is a very clever use of the image and their placement giving it context as the shopper will be in the supermarket purchasing food) and confronting (with every item that you put into the trolley it will make you question if it is a necessity).

Image Three

Ihi: Photograph (the photograph is a key element of this poster and gives it more meaning than a faceless campaign), scale (the designer has used the photograph across the entire poster making it a focal point and clear that this is what the poster is about) and representation (by using the google bar this puts the poster into a relatable context and makes it relevant to a large audience).

Wehi: Dehumanization (by covering the mouth of the subject the designer has removed their autonomy) and humor (has been brought into this by the use of a google search bar to suggest a common perception about women's rights)

Week One: Identifying Ihi and Wehi (Image Set C)

(Image set C from introductory class)


Image One

Ihi: Lighting (the image is primarily quite dark but the Mongrel Mob patch is well lit making it a feature), composition, 'costume' or the way that the subject is dressed

Wehi: Dark (the way that the subjects face is almost entirely obscured this also creates a sense of unknown) and intimidating

Image Two

Ihi: Composition (the photograph looks like a typical photograph that a couple might take), parody and scale (the cigarette has been made much bigger possibly to indicate how it becomes such a big part of a smokers life).

Wehi: Forced (the subjects of the photograph both look slightly uncomfortable or awkward) and humorous (this advertisement uses parody to interest the viewer).

Image Three

Ihi: Contrasting (this image is made very striking by contrasting black and white), bold, representation or metaphorical (the two piano keys are used to represent the twin towers), passive (this poster is for a fundraiser or a horrific event however the designer has chosen a calming style) and symmetry.

Wehi: Formal (by using a formal style the designer has created a calming and elegant image).











Image Four

Ihi: Juxtaposition (by using a photograph of KKK members in the style of a classic family photograph), simple (only black and white are used in this image this could be suggestive to the KKK's advocacy of white supremacy) parody and subversive.

Wehi: Humor (this image uses humor to engage the audience) and hint towards the game hangman (the axis around the photograph and the lines underneath the letters).











Image Five

Ihi: Symbolic (the use of a bear trap with alcohol in it suggests that alcoholism is a trap)

Wehi: Uninviting (the image is dark and ominous creating an uninviting aesthetic) as a group we noted that this piece of art did evoke a strong feeling however it could do for someone who was an alcoholic.

Image 6

Ihi: Subversive and parody (by referencing a vampire the designer uses the idea that vampires are usually powerful and scary in contrast to this vampire which is getting blood a different way suggesting that Powershop may be a power company but they are different from the rest).

Wehi: Humor (the designer is engaging the audience through their use of humor suggesting that the vampire is getting blood through a less violent means) and uninviting (this may not be intentional but the use of a vampire and blood creates a  scary or uninviting feel)

Week One: Defining Ihi and Wehi

Defining Ihi and Wehi
(Image slide from introductory lecture week one)

Ihi: essential force, excitement, power, charm, personal magnetism - psychic force as opposed to spiritual power (mana).

Wehi: dread, fear, something awesome, a response of awe in reaction to ihi.

Definitions retrieved from http://maoridictionary.co.nz/

Personal Definition in Relation to Design Contexts

Ihi: The logical things that make up a work e.g. Fundamental Design Principals, juxtaposition, parody, homage, pastiche, satire etc. 'the heads reaction.'

Wehi: The feelings that a work evokes 'the hearts reaction.'