DESIGN ANALYSIS

How do designers use visual language to communicate ideas and information to audiences or users?

KEY KNOWLEDGE:

techniques for analysing and evaluating design examples from selected field(s) of design practice
the role of visual language in communicating ideas and information
aesthetic decisions made by designers, using the design elements and principles
the relationships between aesthetic decisions and the purposes, contexts and audiences or users of design
examples
methods, media and materials used to create design examples
the influence of technological, economic, cultural, social or environmental factors on design decisions
conceptions of good design
appropriate design terminology

KEY SKILLS:

compare and analyse design examples from selected field(s) of design practice
describe the role of visual language in communicating ideas and information
analyse influences on aesthetic decisions made by designers
analyse and evaluate applications of methods, media and materials, and design elements and principles in
selected design examples
use conceptions of good design to evaluate design examples
use appropriate terminology during analysis and evaluation

OVERVIEW

In this Outcome you will analyse examples of Good Design to understand how designers make and apply design decisions to move toward a conception of 'Design for Good'. This analysis should then inform your own design practice, providing you with varied ways to apply understandings of Good Design to your own work.
You will:

consider how conceptions of good design vary across the four Design Fields of Practice - Messages, Objects, Environments, and Interactive Experiences
Investigate methods designers use to engage and maintain the attention of their audiences
Create an analytical piece of writing to analyse two or more examples of design - choosing two examples linked to the Fields of Design Practice you studied in Outcome 1. This can be then used as a Case Study that you may apply to a design process for the SAT folio, building and broadening your understanding of the selected Design Field of Practice.
Consider how designers have applied the design elements & principles, & use of media, methods, materials
Develop an understanding of how designers respond to purposes and contexts of their work
Make design decisions based on Factors that Influence Design - technological, economic, cultural, social or environmental

Areas of Design Analysis

Delve into these areas more in-depth via the Design Thinking page of our site.

Structure & expectations of analysis writing

Introduction - Body Paragraphs - Conclusion

Introduction: Introduce the subject of your analysis in an overview paragraph. In this intro address your contention (point of view) and purpose of the analysis (reflect a design question).

Body paragraphs: Introduce & discuss one aspect of the analysis per paragraph. In your paragraph ensure to have a topic sentence, explain your point of view, provide evidence, and provide evaluative language.

Conclusion: In your conclusion paragraph you should summarise the writing of your body paragraph and include evaluative statements,

Analysis requires:

Discussion of effectiveness
Inspection of intended audience/purpose/context
Evaluation
Conclusion

An analytical piece of writing should demonstrate your understanding of why something was created, who it was created for, the places in which it was expected to be seen or used, and how well the designer has resolved the design problem to meet the needs of these criteria.

In an analysis of Visual Communications you should be able to cover:

The visual language used
Design elements & Principles
Materials, methods, media
Factors that influence design (technology, economics, culture, society, environmental concerns)
Good Design Concepts
Aesthetics and how these can influence design decisions,

VCAA Command Terms:

analyse: Identify components/elements and the significance of the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications; determine logic and reasonableness of information.

discuss: Present a clear, considered and balanced argument or prose that identifies issues and shows the strengths and weaknesses of, or points for and against, one or more arguments, concepts, factors, hypotheses, narratives and/or opinions.

evaluate: Ascertain the value or amount of; make a judgment using the information supplied, criteria and/or own knowledge and understanding to consider a logical argument and/or supporting evidence for and against different points, arguments, concepts, processes, opinions or other information.

Writing about Visual Language & Aesthetic Decisions of Designers

Writing about Factors that Influence Design

Writing about Conceptions of Good Design

Introduction to Design Analysis

Powepoint for Introduction Booklet

2025 U3O2 Analysis Concepts Booklet.pdf