09/02/2026 - 25/03/2026 (Week 2 - Week 7)
Chan Xin Yean, 0377851
Design Principle
Final Compilation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. E-portfolio Links
2. Final Submission
3. Reflection
E-PORTFOLIO LINKS
Task 1: Exploration
Task 2: Visual Analysis & Exploration
Task 3: Development & Design
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FINAL SUBMISSION
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Ghost Parade
Chan Xin Yean
Digital Illustration - Photoshop |
Design Decisions
In my artwork titled “Ghost Parade” shows a crowd of ghost figures with different shapes and sizes gathered closely together, creating a condense atmosphere. Most of the ghosts are coloured in muted green tones with dark and creepy facial features, each expressing different emotions such as sadness, anger or eeriness. They blend into one another cause of their similar colour palette (green) and loose outlines, forming a unified crowd. In contrast, a single bright yellow happy ghost is positioned slightly off-centre that stands out prominently from the rest. This character has a soft glow and features a cheerful expression with a raised arm, giving it a welcoming and lively presence. Unlike the surrounding ghosts, which appear more static, this figure conveys warmth and positivity. Besides that, the dark green background further enhances the contrast, drawing attention to the glowing character. There is also a faint dark illustration of the woods at the background, which signifies that the ghosts emerged from there. The title “Ghost Parade” is displayed at the top in bold and yellow typography, matching the colour of the highlighted ghost and reinforcing its significance within the composition.
Meaning/Purpose
This artwork conveys that it is fine to be different within a crowded environment. The dense arrangement of ghost figures creates a sense of collectiveness, where most of the characters appear visually similar due to their muted green tones and overlapping figures. The brightly glowing yellow ghost stands out distinctly from the rest while not seeming out of place, it instead acts as a focal point that draws attention in a positive way. While the surrounding ghosts display creepier and more varied expressions, the highlighted character appears cheerful and welcoming, suggesting the character is confident in its uniqueness.
Besides that, the contrast in colour emphasises on individuality rather than isolation, portraying that standing out does not necessarily mean being disconnected from the group, but it can be something that can coexist harmoniously within a crowd with the repeated green ghost figures symbolising conformity, while the glowing character represents self-expression and acceptance. Furthermore, the use of soft yellow glow around the main character creates a sense of warmth, reinforcing the idea that being different can bring light and positivity into a negative environment.
Design Principles Used
Firstly, there is the usage of the Gestalt Theory, namely the Principle of Similarity which can be seen with the repeated green ghost figures and light green outline with creepy facial features, making them appear as a unified group. The colour contrast between green and yellow is prominent in this artwork with the dull green tones dominating the composition, while the bright yellow colour breaks the visual pattern and immediately drawing attention of the viewers. This creates clear visual separation while maintaining overall cohesion within the composition. Besides that, the illustration shows emphasis with the bright yellow colour of the main character matching the yellow words at the top. The pose of the ghost with its hands up also differs from the crowd whom are standing upright, thus drawing more attention to the happy ghost. Furthermore, there is an asymmetrical balance to the artwork, as the placement of the single highlighted ghost is not centrally aligned, and the surrounding ghost figures are unevenly distributed.
Repetition is shown with the repeating green ghost shapes and facial features, reinforcing a sense of uniformity within the crowd. Movement is created with the dense arrangement of figures guides the viewer’s eye across the composition with all of the characters facing the front it makes the viewers assume that they are moving towards the bottom of the artwork. Moreover, the harmony and unity in this artwork are not particularly strong, as the words at the top are placed very close to the edge of the artwork with no matching elements on the bottom to balance the composition. However, some harmony can be seen through the consistent outline style, limited colour palette (green & yellow) and repeated character designs that visually connect the artwork to form unity. Lastly, the word and image is evident in the title “Ghost Parade” at the top, which directly relates to the clustered arrangement of ghost figures below. The typography matches the colour of the highlighted character, reinforcing its importance and connecting the visual narrative of individuality within a group setting.
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REFLECTION
What have I learnt in this module?
In this module, I learnt a lot of the practical aspects of design. With the help of the lecture notes and videos, I realised that a great amount of thought, planning and consideration goes into every design decision, from the choice of colours and typography to the arrangement of visual elements. By analysing various artworks, I became better at identifying the designers' intentions and understand the message they aim to convey. I also learnt to evaluate how different elements work together to influence the viewers' perception and reaction.
What did I enjoy the most?
I enjoyed doing the visual analysis the most. I find that searching for artworks and designs from the internet and analyse them down to every detail was quite fun. It made me hyper conscious about the principles used in every design and how the designer conveys their thoughts and stories. Besides that, I liked how I could translate the design concepts I saw people used and incorporate them into my own design later on.
What did I not enjoy the most?
I didn't really enjoy coming up with the sketching part as I struggled to come up with different variations of ghost. At first, I thought that a lot of them weren't creepy enough and I realised I didn't know how to draw creepy ones but still remain simplicity in them. I also struggled with creating different shapes of ghosts as it all looks kind off like the highlighted one. But after I search through online, I got a better idea on how people draw eerie ghosts.
What have I learnt about myself through this module?
I noticed that I tend to get overwhelmed with ways to colour and sketch. With so many possible styles, techniques, and colour combinations to try, it became difficult to decide which direction to take, and I often found myself second-guessing my choices. This sometimes slowed down my progress, as I spent too much time considering alternatives instead of committing to one idea. From that, I realised that its better for me to set certain limitations, such as a colour palette or a specific style, to help me stay more focused and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.
What has changed and what has not in my learning journey?
I feel like the way I view artworks and design has changed as I am able to identify the practical motifs in a design. Thus, it made me more intentional and mindful in my own creative work. Meanwhile, the struggle of not having limitations hasn't change as I still need time for planning before creating my artwork.
What are my aspirations?
My aspirations is to used the principles and visual analysis learnt in this module to aid me in constantly improving my design skills. I also want to be more creative in generating different ideas and explore more different genres and styles of designs in the future. Besides that, I hope that my designs or artwork in the future could make people pause for a moment to appreciate them while also inspire more people to create their own designs.
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