Week 6 - Analyzing Visual Images and Design in Picturebooks

Begin by considering the format of the images and their placement in the picturebook

• Where is the text located? Within the image? Separated by borders or white space, Why?
• The text is located on the right side of the screen.  The text is always black lettering on white background.  I think this is to emphasize the text because the typography of the letters plays a role in the book.
• Are the illustrations double page spreads, single page images, collages, overlapping images, or portraits?
• It is hard to tell what is the exact locations of the images because it is an electronic version, but for the most part I would say the images are single page images.  I did see some portrait and landscape type of images.
• Consider the series of images in the picturebook. Do the images change over the course of the book? Do they get bigger, smaller, change?
• The images do change through the course of the book depending on which character is telling their side of the story.  Some images do get bigger such as the mother screaming for her son and the image where the two children are standing under the trees.

 

Select an image from Voices In The Park to consider. Use the following questions to guide your analysis.  Take a Screen Shot of the Image and embed the image in your blog. 

 

What is fore-grounded and in the background?

The foreground has the mother and her dog and the other character's dog's snout in the front.  In the background is the park with trees, buildings, a walking path, and people walking on the path.

 

Consider the path your eyes follow as you approach the image. What catches your eye first? Why is that element salient?

The first thing I notice is the woman's red hat.  I believe this is the most notable because it is located near the center, is a vibrant red color, and is angled toward the dog. I believe this element is most salient because it is on the character whose point of view we are reading first, and it is a bright red color.

What colors dominate the image? What effect does this have on you as reader?

The colors that dominate the image are red, blue, and green.  As a reader, they garner my attention first since they are the most dominant and bright colors on the page.

 

Consider the use of white (negative) space. Are the illustrations framed or full bleed? How does this position you as a viewer?

The illustration is framed in this page.  As a viewer, it positions me to look at the items in the picture, similar to a framed picture in your home.  You look at the items inside the framed border.

What is the reality value or level of abstraction? Are the images life-like or stick figures?

 The reality value is high because the situation the character is engaged in is an everyday occurance for many people, taking their dog to the park and letting them off of the leash.  The characters are lifelike but not exactly.  The images have a stylized appeal.  In addition, the "person" is a gorilla, which is being portrayed as a human.  The book has clear personification with the gorillas as the main characters.

Are there any recurring patterns in the images?

 The only reoccurring pattern that could be depicted in the image is the element of line.  The shadows from the characters and animals is shown, the line of the sidewalk, the lines of trees being off to the right a little, the buildings create vertical lines, the lamppost creates a line, the horizon creates a line, the red had creates a line to the dog, the dog's back creates a line to the snout of the black and whit dog.

Are there any anomalous elements? Things that stick out, or seem out of place? Are these important to consider?

There are no out of the ordinary elements in the picture.

What is the artist trying to get you to look at through leading lines, colors, contrast, gestures, lighting?

I think the artist is wanting the viewer to look at the gorilla, dog, and second dog the most.  The lines in the picture keep the eye moving, but the main focus is on the character and her dog.  The use of color is shown by the boldness of the gorillas hat and coat in relation to the subdued colors of the grass and the dog.

 

Are there any recurring symbols or motifs in the images?

 There are no recurring symbols or motifs present in this image.

Consider the style or artistic choices? Are the appropriate, and how do they add to the meanings of the picturebook?

 The style is consistent throughout the picturebook.  Here, the style and artistic choices are shown with the colors used to draw attention to the character.  Furthermore, the choice of using gorillas as the characters and not actual people shows a deliberate choice, since all the other images and dogs are somewhat set in reality.  (Meaning, the gorilla is acting like a person, and the dogs and setting are normal in the real world.)

How are the images framed? Are there thick borders or faded edges?

The images are framed with a watercolor type of border.  There is a clear distinction between the illustration and the page, but the viewer has to deliberately look at the border to see that it is a border.  The border is somewhat thin and very close in color to the page color.

 

Consider the setting of the story. How is this realized in the images? Realistically? Metaphorically?

The setting of the story is strongly shown in this image.  The story takes place in a park, and that is exactly where this image takes place.   The park is shown realistically because there is green grass, a walking trail, trees, and of course the dogs.

Consider size and scale. What is large? Why are certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power, control?

The size and scale of the gorilla and the dogs is much bigger because they are in the foreground of the picture.  The one item that may be shown larger than it would be usually would be the red had the lady is wearing.  The enlarged hat could mean that she is in charge and in control since the hat is larger and it is red in color.

Consider the viewers point of view. Do characters directly gaze or address the viewer? Are the characters close up or distanced? How does point of view add to relationships with the characters?

The characters do not directly gaze or address the viewer.  The characters are usually shown at a reasonable distance, not too close and not too far away.  The use of point of view is shown by the characters being farther or close to the viewer and helps to illicit a greater response.  The image where the mother gorilla screams for her son is great big and very close to the viewer.  This closeness and size of the gorilla makes the viewer more aware of the situation and feel the emotions the mother is feeling (terror, anxious, worried) when she realized she had lost sight of her son.

The point of view adds to the viewers experience because it can draw in the viewer to understand better the relationship or action that is happening in the story.