Design Evaluation: Good vs. Bad

One thing that I thoroughly enjoy is musicals, it's something that I love to not only take part in, but also watch as well. However, when deciding to see or show or not one of the first things I notice is the poster or Playbill presented when watching the show. This determines the first impression of the show, as well as being able to capture an element of the show that captures an audience as well.


Bad: Excuse not only the bad quality of this photo, but also the design itself. Yes, this was a poster for a show I did in high school. Let me also express how much I "thoroughly" don't enjoy this design layout one bit. To start, when they first presented this to the cast members I actually complained to the director of what a shit job the designing students did. Look at that, it doesn't even look clean! Color scheme of this poster didn't flow one bit, nothing is clean at all -which is probably my biggest problem with it. Lines and structure were completely thrown out (that shoe bugs), not to mention the proportions of this aren't even in line either (top shoe is cut off). When I looked at this I didn't think this show is about the 1920s, but rather why aren't the legs smoothed out, and is that a dress? Sure, the poster is beneficial when wondering about information, but did you really want to see the show? There is no closure, nothing makes sense, it's like the poster cannot find an even ground, when is it suppose to come together? Awful color choice, not once did we use anything purple and yellow either - so that was false advertising. I'm actually okay with the font of the piece, just not the color. Should have stayed with one color-a complimentary color at that, not black and white on yellow (makes me think of a bumblebee, another thing that wasn't in the show).
Our competition that year was Les Mesierables -and they used the original Broadway design, so of course they sold out and we didn't . Our show was actually pretty good too-the poster didn't capture that.

This was the original Broadway design for Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Even with the white-on-white clash I STILL would have preferred this poster to be shown, simply because of the font alone. It was more inviting and simplistic than all those crazy clashing colors.


Good: Ahh so much relief in one picture, I cannot even contain my excitement about this poster- as I may have bought a giant replica of this poster when I saw this glorious musical last winter. I love the design of this poster, almost as much as the show itself. The simplistic black and white just make sense in this scenario especially since Mormon missionaries are most often seen in only those two colors. The simplistic chic design works for this poster -with not much going on it's easily to interpret what the musical is about. Although the top of Andrew Rannels head is cut off I wouldn't throw out this design because it is still in proportion and symmetrical. The doorbell is not only a symbol for the show and the culture, but very clever in the wording as well. Also notice the font on the word "Mormon" is almost identical to the font of the English Book of Mormon. These guys did their research. It's also a symbol not only for the musical but the culture, people all over recognize the religion and show because of this poster. Very modern design with elements that make this poster clever and recognizable. I would see this show over and over again if I could.

Contrast, Balance, and Harmony

Over the years i've found a niche I love to do when exploring a city, state, or unknown area and that's look at the buildings and architecture associated with the place. However, I am not a photographer and cannot capture what I plan in my head, so i've often turned to the next best thing- Pinterest. I often explore the world of architecture and life through the lens of Pinterest, inspiring me not only to seek these places, but also finding out what images and places bring me "peace". This is one of those images. 

This image is very inviting to me, the camera angle makes it appear that i'm going to burst out of the window almost, calling me for the adventure that's ahead (I also have a niche for the ocean). When analyzing it with the elements of contrast the colors in this image or not only inviting, but also have a soft feel to them. This could be why this image is also so peaceful to me, with lighter shades of blue, grey, green, and off shades of white this image fills the space up with it's inviting message to wonder (or at least to me). 

This image is perfectly balanced when it comes to the rule of thirds in photography, but it's also balanced with its aroma of peace. It makes me want to stare out of the window and let the sea take me where I need to be. As explained in class, balance is easily identified but most of the time we don't know why. For me it's probably the nature of the picture, if I could be anywhere it would be near the ocean, I associate good things, thoughts, and experiences with the ocean. That could be a major factor why it's so balanced to me, it brings back my balance in life. 

Leading into the last element -harmony. Likewise with balance; harmony also gives me that sense of peace that I associate the ocean with. When looking at this picture I can hear the harmonic sounds of the ocean, and how everything falls into place, it's the icing on the cake. From the highlights and colors of the picture, to how it's shaped because of the angle of  the camera, it all comes together as this harmonic form that I desperately want to run away too. 

Law of Continulity

Visceral Response

 

 One of the most jaw-dropping pieces of architecture was eye length away from me, and after fourteen hours on a non-stop flight from LAX,you can bet it was the most beautiful thing to be seen. Maybe it was the Foster the People album in my ear that made the first time I saw this landmark so intriguing, or maybe because it was the symbol of new beginnings for me that literally made me cry, I had made it. 

Seeing this remarkable piece of architecture, is not only a landmark for Australia, but for me as well. As it represented what I was there for, to start over. The building stands solo on it's own piece of land with gateways, bridges, and walkways to the entrances to the building. Each individual semicircle that  dominates from the side of the building shoots into the air, the symbol to me of realizing the sky is the limit. Off-set by the Sydney Harbor Bridge I've never seen anything so perfectly balanced and harmonic to this day. It aligns with the cityscape, even though it's one of the smallest buildings in the area, when seen from my balcony view in Mosmon, it lined up with the bridge and Sydney's tallest skyscraper; Center-point Tower. It was perfectly balanced and symmetrical in it's alignment alone.  

The colors and contrast of the building are almost indescribable, as when day shifted to night the Opera House would give a purple glow, much like the one pictured. As if it took in the harbor colors and sucked it in and shot them out again, often times I would see reflections of pinks,purples,oranges, and a hint of yellow. The shape of the Opera House would help with the "glow" that was often projected, and yet when viewed from the front of the building a who new image was projected, huge windows lined top to bottom giving a crystal clear reflection. It amazed me that such intensity from all elements of design could be felt from so far, yet when close to it, or even inside it, a whole new feeling of beauty is projected.  

Inside the building was a total 180 from what is projected inside, both images however are breathtaking. The night I was able to see an actual opera inside the Opera House I was in "aw" the whole night. The theaters inside that building alone are perfectly structured so that no matter where one sat, you had a perfect view of the stage. Another thing I noticed was how much "love" was in that building, as many couples gathered for the show, affection, greetings, and friendly gestures were everywhere. I also attach love to the Opera House as well, as it's the most romantic place I've been in the world.  

Although I attach more emotion to this piece of art than anything else, the design element of this structure is truly breathtaking, not only is it balanced in it's nature, but the fact that it takes it surrounding color elements and reflects them is phenomenal. It's a landmark in history, as well as my heart -as cheesy and gross as that sounds. I plan to return to the place that gave me such hope and renewal, as a boost to what i'm already accomplishing-and plan to accomplish in the future.