Critical Analysis

For this session we were asked to bring 2 images of Graphic Design we liked and 2 images we dislike. 

2 IMAGES I LIKE 

I really like this poster by Olly Moss, the use of image is very clever because just from 2 simple forks it describes the 3 words that are in a bigger typeface. The forks themselves represent 'eat', the intertwining of the forks represents 'Pray' and the 2 different colours of the forks could show male and female making love. The poster has a very simple layout but it still manages to capture the viewers eye. The book below by Stefan Sagmeister is also very smart and simple. When the red sleeve is removed the dogs face turns from the calm look to the angry face! Also when the side of the paper is tilted as shown below you can read the name of the book 'Made You Look'. 

2 IMAGES I DISLIKE 

Unlike the 2 posters above these are not simple at all. There is a lot going on, with little interest in layout and or composition. With the top poster your eyes are drawn to the image on the left then to the right before you even know what the film is, when your eyes are finally drawn towards the writing it is eligible with the bright background. The same really applies to the one below, there is so much going on you don't know where to look and its hard to find information you want to read. 

We were put into groups to place our selection of likes and dislikes on the table, we then put on the back of the paper a small 'L' on the likes and a 'D' on the dislikes, then put them face up again. After this we as a group had to choose from another groups selection what we thought were there likes and dislikes. To decide this we discussed what went into a good piece of graphic design. 
Then as a whole class we devised a set or criteria that we thought would define a good piece of design, this list was: 

• Layout 
• Colour 
• Context
• Visual Content 
• Non visual Content 
• Function 
• Concept 
• Composition 
• Legibility
• Communication
• Visual Quality 

We were then given a system that we could order how we critique work. This system was: 

D - Describe (What can you see?) 

I  - Interpret (What is it about?) 

E - Evaluate (How good is it?) 

T - Theorise (how could it be improved?)

We were then put into pairs so we could discuss our images that we had brought in this way.  

The first image we discussed was this one: 

Describe

A poster that has a vibrant red to stand out and a layout that focuses on the image and the bigger type. The use of the image is very clever because it is describing the 3 words 'eat', 'pray' and 'love'. 

Interpret 

Its about a film, that is described using only two folks, that represent eating, the intertwining of the folks represents praying and the composition/layout and colour of the folks shows the love.  

Evaluate 

The poster communicates the film well, the poster also stands out and captures the viewers eye. The composition is strong, there is just the right amount of negative space in relation to image and type. Its so simple but its does everything it needs to do.  

Theorise 

Could change the type and maybe there is no need for the small text that only really needs to be on the film credits at the start. 

IMAGE 

Describe

Packaging that uses simple colours, black and a rich gold, but looks very elegant. The image/pattern works well along side the type. It looks very much like a feminine product. 

 Interpret 

Some sort of packaging for a product that is for women. It has been designed to look very sophisticated. 

Evaluate 

The packaging doesn't obviously show that its a hair product, or what the product actually is. It does however communicate the fact its a female product well with the use of colour and pattern, giving a clear theme of glamour and elegance. 

Theorise 

Have what the product actually is more prominent, because its hard to tell what it is at the moment. Get rid of the logo or change the placement of the logo because it doesn't work with the patter and type going in the opposite direction. The pattern could also be used so that when each individual packaging are placed on a shelf together the pattern is joined up and a picture is formed. 

5 REASONS WHY CRITICAL ANALYSIS IS A IMPORTANT PART OF EDUCATION, LEARNING AND DEVELOPING YOUR UNDERSTANDING. 

• It helps you to create a opinion on different designers and piers work to give them feedback. 
• It makes you think a lot more about a piece of work, looking deeper into it, not just at the image or type. 
• By critically analysing you can then look back and do the same to your own work, it gives you a better understanding of what can be done to improve it. 
• Critical analysis helps you to develop ideas by looking at other work and gathering inspiration
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5 REASONS WHY CRITS ARE USEFUL. 

• Help to get other feedback on your work not just your own 
• Helps to tell you whats going right and whats going wrong and what can be done to improve your work 
• You can gather ideas and inspiration from other people/piers 
• Its interesting to see what point other people are at in there project 
• Could give you confidence and encourage self evaluation