Design Principles-

Task 02: Visual Analysis & Ideation

26/02/2026 - 12/03/2026 (Week 4 - Week 6)

Zhao Jie, 0387076

Design Principles

Task 2

1.Instruction

2.Visual Analysis

Buy a print of Marilyn Diptych - Andy Warhol

Marilyn Monroe (1967 Portfolio)

Artist: Andy Warhol
Subject: Marilyn Monroe

• Year: 1967
• Medium: Screenprint on paper
• Size: Each print is 91.5 × 91.5 cm (36 × 36 in)
• Quantity: 10 different color versions
• Edition: 250 prints for each color (plus a small number of artist proofs)
• Publisher: Factory Additions, New York
• Image source: A promotional photo from the 1953 film Niagara

Observation

This artwork consists of multiple repeated portraits of Marilyn Monroe arranged in a grid layout. Each square shows the same facial image, but with different colour combinations. White borders separate each print, giving the overall composition a clear sense of order and structure.

Each image focuses only on her face. Her facial features are simplified and outlined with strong black lines, while large flat colour blocks fill the shapes. The colours are highly saturated, such as pink, blue, yellow, and green. In some versions, the background strongly contrasts with the skin tone, while in others the colours blend more softly, making the figure almost merge with the background.

Although the image itself remains the same, the colour variations make each print feel slightly different. The overall visual effect is bold, graphic, and highly striking.

Analysis

I think the main design principles in this artwork are repetition, contrast, balance, and harmony.

Firstly, repetition is very clear. Marilyn Monroe’s portrait is repeated in a grid format, creating rhythm and pattern. This repetition builds unity and makes the layout feel organised but still visually interesting. At the same time, repeating the same image may suggest the idea of mass production.

Secondly, there is strong contrast, especially in colour. The artwork uses bright and highly saturated colours like pink, blue, yellow, and green. Some colour combinations are complementary, which creates strong visual impact. The contrast between the bright background and the dark outlines also makes the image clearer and more striking.

The grid arrangement creates symmetrical balance. Each image is evenly placed in rows and columns, which makes the whole composition look stable and structured, even though the colours are bold and varied.

Lastly, harmony and unity are created through the repeated image and consistent layout. Even though the colours change, the same portrait connects all the prints together, so the artwork feels like one complete piece rather than separate and unrelated pictures.

Interpretation

This artwork can be connected to celebrity culture and media reproduction. By repeating Marilyn Monroe’s image, Warhol transforms her portrait into something similar to a product. The screen-printing technique further reinforces the idea of mechanical reproduction.

The bright and artificial colour choices may suggest how media constructs and manipulates a celebrity’s image. Different colour treatments create different emotional impressions.

Created after Marilyn Monroe’s death, the repeated portraits may symbolise how her image continues to circulate in popular culture. The work both celebrates her beauty and questions fame itself — turning a living person into a reproducible and marketable image.

3.Ideation

Inspiration

First, I collected more works by Andy Warhol, hoping to draw inspiration from them. I paid special attention to his chosen elements, layout, and color matching.

Moodboard

Sketches Ideas

Sketch 1:

Sketch 1

In this sketch, I applied repetition, contrast, emphasis, and balance, which are similar to the design principles used in Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe series. The same proboscis monkey image is arranged in a grid, creating rhythm and unity in the composition.

I paid special attention to the colour choices by using both warm and cool contrasts, as well as light and dark values, to create stronger visual impact. At the same time, I used different colour combinations to express different emotions and moods. Conceptually, this sketch represents the multiple sides of a person’s emotions, states, and behaviours. Although it is the same character, each frame shows a different emotion, such as sadness, anger, or happiness.

Sketch 2:

Sketch 2

In this sketch, I applied repetition, contrast, unity, and emphasis, inspired by Warhol’s repeated portrait approach. The same girl character is repeated multiple times, but I introduced variation by changing colours and adding different fruit elements, making the composition more interesting and less monotonous.

I intentionally used highly saturated colours for the character’s hair to make it stand out, while the background uses lower saturation contrasting colours to keep the overall composition visually comfortable. Although it is the same girl, she appears as different fruit characters in each frame. I wanted each fruit to be easily recognisable while also maintaining a cute and playful style.

Sketch 3:

Sketch 3

In this sketch, I applied repetition, harmony, and unity. Similar to the previous sketches, I used a grid layout to organise the elements, making the composition look neat and structured while creating rhythm.

I used mainly cool colour tones, especially different shades of blue, to match the ocean theme. I also used variations in blue to represent the depth of the sea. All elements are based on the theme of sea creatures. This sketch aims to create a calm and harmonious feeling. The ocean may feel cold and quiet, but the presence of sea creatures adds life and energy to the composition.

4.Feedback

Week 4

In Week 4, I completed the visual analysis section for Task 2 and asked my lecturer to review my blog. At the same time, I also consulted him on how to develop my ideation. Based on his suggestion, I decided to use an iPad for my drawings, as it allows me to experiment more easily with different colours and variations.

Week 5

In Week 5, I completed three sketches and presented them to Mr.max for feedback. He mentioned that he prefers my first sketch. However, he pointed out that the relationship between emotions and colour choices is not very clear, so I need to reconsider how colours correspond to different emotions. He also mentioned that the contrast in my work is not strong enough, as some colours are too similar. Compared to Andy Warhol’s work, the use of contrast should be more obvious.

For my second sketch, he felt that the overall visual impact is weaker and not as strong as the first one. For my third sketch, although I used the same ocean theme, he pointed out that the shapes of the sea creatures are too different from each other, which reduces the sense of repetition and unity. He also suggested that I redesign the movement and arrangement to make the composition look more organised and structured.

After considering all the feedback, I decided to develop Sketch 1 as my final direction for Task 3.

Zhao Jie（0387076）