Emotion is the conscious mental reaction one feel that is usually directed towards a specific object accompanied by physiological and behavioural changes (Emotion, 2021). It is composed of complex layers of feelings, which is made up of a mixture of both- or either negative or positive spectrum. How one experience emotions vary from one individual to another. Be it through a complete or combined fragments of visual or auditory expression. For my interpretation of emotions, it is something that I experience through deconstructing the tangible form it holds into unintelligible pieces. Having it in such form allows me to pick through the pieces and, choosing only the few fragments that is tangible enough for me to reconstruct into visual pieces through my own creative interpretation. By doing so, I can narrow down the scope of my execution, and only focus on few potential pieces.

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1. Complex Emotions: Relations, Feelings and Images in Emotional Experience by Ian Burkitt

 

Page 151-167 of this journal discusses how emotions are a “structure of feelings that gives meaning to relational experiences.” This structure reflects the social relations that we experience, and the emotions that we feel differ from one another as our social meaning are ever-changing from one another. However, Burkitt emphasizes that this structure of feeling is important as it helps in guiding our actions in social settings as it serves as a form of practical consciousness. Whereas emotion is better utilised as discursive consciousness. This lies in how we articulate feelings through verbal communication.

 

When one expresses their feelings into words, Burkitt states that we articulate our feelings through a “system” called emotional vocabularies. Which is where we reflect on our feelings and identify the different fragments into specific emotion labels. Through this verbal expression, one can achieve a sense of communality through shared feelings with one another. Similarly, one can further express their feelings through imagery or action. By classifying feelings as the components that makes up emotions, and something that can be expressed through multiple channels, this explanation acts as a supporting case on how I intend to present my topic. Which largely revolves on my personal interpretation and creating a sense of understanding between my viewers and the art pieces.

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2. The Status and The Prospects of Deconstruction in Graphic Design by Dong-Sik Hong and MijeongHwang

 

In this journal, Hong and Hwang describes deconstructionism as a “design that challenges universal beauty and design structures fitting the stereotyped popular view.” Deconstructionism breaks away from the current standard, and instead, sought-after new and different forms, which resulted in destructed and incomplete images. It is influential on art practices such as Architecture, Fashion Design, Typography and Graphic Design. An example of deconstructionism early elements in graphic design are the usage of overlapping texts and pictures.

 

With its popularity rising as an alternative to unconventional art expression, more methods and techniques are created. There are 4 different methods as listed down by Hong and Hwang, which are decomposition, decentring, discontinuity, and disjunction. Out of these 4, decomposition and discontinuity are the two methods that I find to work with my project. Decomposition is applicable in breaking down the set lettering into abstract pieces but maintaining some form of repetition for readability. Whereas discontinuity allows me to aesthetically deconstruct design through methods of overlays, distortion, and accident. Combining these techniques with my project will provide a visual Orange Area Sinister Painting direction where I emphasize my aim to deconstruct and rebuild the abstract notion of feelings into a tangible form labelled as emotion.

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3. Deconstruction: From Theory to Design by Vasilis Pallas In Deconstruction:

 

From Theory to Design, Pallas explains his aim is to “define Deconstruction and exam the link between the critical theory and design.” One of the main reasoning to do so lies in how much the current design trends are inspired by movement of the past, specifically Deconstructionism’s influence on design. As stated previously in Hong and Hwang’s journal, Deconstructionism aim is to break away from the universal set standard of beauty and design structure.

 

The similar aim is upheld in Pallas’ book on the definition of Deconstruction. However, he explains that to deconstruct something such as a body of text, one must first understand the meaning, and concept of it. Only by understanding it, can one push the limit of visual communication when reconstructing it into a manner that suits the individual’s comprehensibility. Prioritizing in understanding the information in my opinion, can be the basis in learning Deconstructionism. While one can deconstruct information without caring about said basis, I find that utilising the deconstructionism techniques of decomposition and discontinuity while applying the basis would assist me better in my design’s execution.

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4. Ib by kouri

 

Ib is an RPG psychological horror game that explores themes surrounding death, despair, obsession, and life. It follows the main character, Ib, in her attempts of escaping The Fabricated World- an alternate dimension filled with artist Guertena’s artworks. Following her escape, we as viewers can view the unravelling of an artist’s mind in their strive for perfection as the once polished surrounding of The Fabricated World starts to deteriorate overtime.

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                                            orange area                                                                                                        sinister painting

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The deterioration is reflected as a state of despair and obsession of Guertena. An example is through replacing the background imagery from an art gallery interior to disoriented scribbles. To further amplify said state, the colour choices of the atmosphere is also changed from warm neutral colours to dark and contrasting colours. Creating a sense of unpleasant eeriness. The usage of said visual imagery in support of the theme in this game reflects the art choices I am delving into, which is the usage of repetition and distortion- specifically for the negative spectrum of feelings. Through the application of the stated techniques, I believe it can assist in alleviating the visual presentation of my project.

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5. The Gradient Poster Collection by Lucia Pham

 

In this Gradient Poster Collection, Pham utilises multiple colours sets of gradient and solid colours, to present different mood to accompany the key nature motifs of flower, swan, jellyfish, butterfly, and goldfish. At the same time, they also incorporate modern design style that consist of “large shapes, thin lines, and typography.” The proper utilisation of design elements is important in tying a harmonious design together, as it can either elevate or ruin one’s artwork.

 

This is especially important to note when one is trying to create a connection between the viewer and the art piece. When it comes to conveying our feelings through visual expression, colours are one of the elements that plays a pivotal role in setting the right mood. As presented in this poster collection. The right mixture of colours can amplify the tone that we are aiming for, which in turn can increase the sense of emotional understanding between the viewer and the piece. This sense of connection by utilising the proper design elements is especially important for my project as creating a sense of connection through my personal interpretation is one of the main aims for my artworks.

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To summarize, my project’s aim is to create a sense of understanding between my artwork and viewers. To do so, I would have to have a clear comprehension of the varying methods I can utilise in the execution of my project. One of the ways in having a clear grasp on the different methods I can appeal to the viewers in expressing my own interpretation of emotions, is through understanding the information I want to convey. By having a good understanding on the information, only then I can apply the different design elements such the aforementioned deconstruction methods of decomposition and discontinuity, and colour theory.

 

Another way is through studying the varying social relations that can impact our structure of feelings as stated in the journal Complex Emotions: Relations, Feelings and Images in Emotional Experience by Ian Burkitt. Studying this social relation can provide me context on what I design element or angle I should apply in my works in relation to the target group. By covering this section, I can produce something that is personal to my own experiences, while at the same time, creating a sense of relatability.

 

These design elements are something that can assist me in the execution of my internal and external brief, as certain parts of the project I aim to work on revolves on not using text-based information. Rather, it focuses more on the visual imagery I can produce and the information I can convey using said imagery. Which relates substantially to the aim of my project, which is the sense of understanding between viewers and my artwork. Bottomline, understanding the social relation of my target group to fully utilise the design elements to create the sense of communality is the main of my overall project.

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References

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Burkitt, I. (2002). Complex Emotions: Relations, Feelings and Images in Emotional Experience. The Sociological Review, 50(2_suppl), 151-167. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-954x.2002.tb03596.x

 

Hong, D., and Hwang, M. (2006) The Status and the Prospects of Deconstruction in Graphic Design, in Friedman, K., Love, T., Côrte-Real, E. and Rust, C. (eds.), Wonderground - DRS International Conference 2006, 1-4 November, Lisbon, Portugal. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conferencepapers/drs2006/researchpapers/107

 

kouri. (2012) Ib (PC Version) [Video game]. Japan:kouri

 

Pallas, V. (2016). Deconstruction: From Theory to Design. Retrieved 15 May 2021, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/deconstruction-from-theory-design-vasilis-pallas/

 

Pham, L. (2020). THE GRADIENT POSTER COLLECTION [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.behance.net/gallery/105273931/

 

The-Gradient-Poster-Collection Emotion. 2021. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved June 5, 2021, from https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/emotion

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Image Source:

 

kouri. Orange Area [Image]. Retrieved 6 June 2021, from https://ibgame.fandom.com/wiki/Materials_Storehouse?file=Orange_Area_8.png.

 

Sinister Painting. [Image]. Retrieved 6 June 2021, from https://ibgame.fandom.com/wiki/Sinister_Painting?file=Sinister_results.png