Study Task 3 - Visual Analysis

As part of study task 3 identifying images relating to the essays will be essential. This is because it will allow a further understanding of the ways in which a subject matter can be communicated through the use of graphic design. This will also help to focus on the choices that are made when producing these images, so that they can be perceived correctly by an audience. For example, focusing on the colour schemes and layout of an image will provide information on ways to effectively communicate our own ideas later on.

As the essay will focus primarily on the effects of consumerism and the ways in which it reinforces a certain image for society to aspire to, looking at images related to consumerism and body image were necessary.

The first image that I chose to analyse was from a magazine called Adbusters, which had mocked a 1950s Marlboro cigarette advertisement campaign. When first looking at the image we can see that the use of limited colours has helped the image to stay basic and straight forward for the viewers. In this way the text used is much clearer by using white with a darker backdrop. We can also see that the advertisement has used layout and fonts that would typically be seen in an old Marlboro advertisement or by another tobacco company. This advertisement seemed appropriate to use as it mocks the intentions of consumerism and the approaches that some companies will take in order to gain consumers.

The next image is of a magazine cover, for 'PAPER'. The advertisement became popular for its Kim Kardashian photoshoot, which primarily focuses on body image. This image seemed appropriate to use as it shows how companies can use celebrity status to boost their consumer base. By reinforcing the idea of ideal body image through celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, companies an a lot more likely to increase the sales of their product. From looking at the use of colour in this image we can see it has been limited to white, black and shades of brown. This way the magazine is able to bring focus to the images in the centre while maintaining a reminder of the colours used on basic paper. The title has also been placed outside of the central image frame so that it contrasts the white backdrop, while using the same colour as the image. By doing this it almost looks as though the letters has been cut out of the page. We can also tell that the magazine has focused on the central image more than anything else as it contains a lot less surrounding information, as you would typically find on magazines similar to this.

This image by Protein world had been heavily criticised online for its assumptions on what the ideal body type would be. As the campaign poster reads 'are you beach body ready?', it is implied that the image next to the text is an example of what a 'beach body' should look like. Had the advertisement not included a model of slim build, then the campaign may not have received backlash from the public. This advertisement was one example of how consumerism can go wrong and company ads can instead create a problem for themselves when communicating the wrong ideas to consumers.

With the use of bright yellow with grey text and imagery, it has been possible to create an advertisement that stood out among other ads of a similar nature. As the ad was placed in the London Underground stations, it meant that the use of bold text was necessary so it could be viewed from the platforms.

Here we can see that several campaigns have ways of challenging society's expectations. This photograph shows how men might be expected to have muscular bodies. In this case having abs is seen as the desirable image. This could also be in reference to way in which people are affected by repetitive images in mainstream media and furthermore, believe they need to achieve a certain image.

 This image is of a Barbie doll next to an artist's interpretation of what an average body Barbie doll would look like. The intention of this image was to show the ways in which society's toy manufacturers are targeting people at a very young age. By presenting the doll as having a slim tall build, young children will see this as the definition of visual beauty.

this image shows the ideas behind society's intentions. It also explains how people are affected by certain ideas of what it means to be beautiful.