TASK 3 (Development & Design)
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16/03/2026
GeXianjing / 0377636
Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours)
Design Principles GCD60804/TASK 3 (Development & Design)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Instructions
2. Lectures
3. Feedback
4. Reflection
INSTRUCTIONS
Task 3 Lectures
In Task 3, the goal is to further develop one of the ideas proposed in Task 2 and transform it into a final visual design. The design must communicate a clear message using graphic design principles such as composition, colour, typography, hierarchy and symbolism. The final artwork should be created in A4 format with a resolution of at least 300dpi. In addition to producing the final design, the process of development must also be documented in the blog, including idea selection, visual exploration and lecturer feedback.
Write a 200-word rationale explaining/ defending:
i) the decisions made in my design,
ii) the meaning/ purpose of the design and
iii) the design principles that are employed to create the design.
Through this task, the main objective is to refine an initial concept into a stronger and clearer visual communication. By analysing feedback and applying design principles, the design should become more effective in expressing its theme and meaning.
Idea Selection from Task 2
Among the three ideas proposed in Task 2, I decided to further develop Sketch 1 as the main concept.
During the design review, the lecturer mentioned that both Sketch 1 and Sketch 3 had interesting ideas. However, since I personally preferred Sketch 1, the lecturer recommended continuing with this concept for Task 3.
The lecturer positively commented on the composition, layout structure and creative details of Sketch 1. The overall visual arrangement was considered strong and engaging, and the colour usage was also appropriate for the theme.
However, one key improvement was suggested. The lecturer pointed out that the “V” symbol in the word PEACE was not clearly connected to the meaning of peace, which might confuse viewers. To strengthen the visual communication, the lecturer recommended replacing the “V” symbol with a hand making the peace sign, as this is a more universal and recognizable symbol of peace.
Based on this feedback, I revised the concept by integrating a broken peace hand gesture into the design to better express the relationship between conflict and peace.
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| Sketch 1 |
Design Development
To further develop the concept, I explored several design aspects including composition, colour, typography and symbolic elements.
Composition
The composition is vertically structured to guide the viewer’s eye from top to bottom. The bullet holes and cracks at the top symbolize violence and conflict. The word “PEACE” is placed in the centre as the main focal point. Below it, a lone human silhouette walking along a road represents the journey toward peace.
Typography
The word PEACE is designed using bold, strong typography to create visual impact and readability. Cracks and fracture textures are added to the letters to symbolize how war and violence damage the idea of peace.
Symbolism
The letter “A” in the word PEACE is replaced by a peace hand gesture (✌). The hand appears cracked and damaged, symbolizing how peace is fragile and often threatened by conflict. This modification directly reflects the lecturer’s suggestion and strengthens the conceptual clarity of the design.
Additional symbolic elements such as bullet holes, barbed wire, and a city silhouette（Compared to a modern city, a city destroyed by war）are included to represent violence and war.
Design development process
- On the basis of the original image, modify the "V" to become a peace gesture
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| evolution 1 |
- The picture is rich in details. Waste City vs. Modern Beautiful Home
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| evolution 2 |
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| evolution 3 |
- The complete line draft production is completed, and we start trying to color it. Choose to paint in watercolor style for better color blending.
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| evolution 4 |
Colour
A limited colour palette is used to create strong contrast:
Off-white background – neutrality and space
Black and grey – destruction and war
Red – violence, blood and conflict
The restrained colour scheme helps emphasize the message while maintaining visual clarity.
Final Design
“Hard-earned peace”
This title reflects that the peaceful development of the world today is achieved through the hard work and sacrifice of countless predecessors in wars
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| Hard-earned peace_Ge Xianjing_Task 3 |
Design Explanation
This design explores the fragile relationship between peace and conflict through symbolic imagery and visual contrast. The word “PEACE” is placed at the center of the composition to create a strong focal point and emphasize the importance of peace in society. Behind the words, there is a pair of strong hands making a peaceful gesture, a widely recognized symbol of unity and harmony. However, the surrounding bullet holes and cracks suggest that peace is often threatened or damaged by violence and war.
The lower section of the composition presents two contrasting environments. On the left, destroyed buildings, barren trees, and rubble represent the devastation caused by conflict. On the right, a modern city skyline symbolizes hope, development, and the possibility of a peaceful future. A lone figure walking along the road toward the city represents humanity’s journey toward peace and reconstruction.
Several design principles are applied to strengthen the visual communication. Gestalt theory allows viewers to perceive the word and imagery as a unified message. Contrast highlights the opposition between war and peace, while emphasis is created through the central placement of the word “PEACE”. Asymmetrical balance, repetition, movement, and harmony further organize the composition and guide the viewer’s attention, creating a clear and meaningful visual narrative.
Reflection on Instructor Feedback
During the consultation, I asked the instructor whether the background colour of my design needed to be changed. The instructor responded positively to the overall visual style and colour treatment of the work. He particularly appreciated the contrast between the black-and-white elements and the subtle coloured areas, explaining that this approach makes the composition clearer and more visually interesting.
The instructor also mentioned that the colours appear very light and soft, giving the design a feeling similar to a pencil-coloured drawing. This sketch-based colouring style helps maintain the expressive quality of the original hand-drawn concept while adding depth and atmosphere to the final composition.
This feedback reassured me that the current colour choice and visual layering work effectively. It also confirmed that the development process from the initial sketches to the final design is clearly communicated and successfully applies important design principles.
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