Design Analysis Writing Instructions
Part 2 - Steps 1-6
Include the numerals 1-8 for the following items:
0 Under your Name place the picture of the Artwork
00 Under your Name the one Element or Principle you have chosen here, under the picture.
1 Citation – Captitalize titles of Artworks. Then, either use quotation marks around titles or use italics:
Example: Heavy Metal Sunshine, Frank Davis, Sculpture, Steel Plated Iron, 8’3” x 4’2”, Paris, France, 1957.
Include commas between each of the following:
Title of the Artwork [Italicized or in Quotes, and also Capitalize the nouns in titles of Artworks]
Artist’s Name, the Collective’s Name (or the Civilization if artist/s names are unknown)
Process and/or Techniques
Medium
Scale and/or Dimensions in inches [Convert metric measurements, to inches or feet for your American audience].
City and/or Country of Origin
Date the work was finished or first exhibited, or a date range the work was under construction. (Add BCE or CE to dates prior to 1400 CE)
2 Context – Name a world event taking place around the time that might have influenced its making. You may mention a personal story or tragedy if it affected the artist, but also seek out a historical, cultural, or societal, or material invention that might have helped define the work of art you see before you.
3 Describe – First, say right off whether the work is Abstract or Representational. Then use nouns to name what is representational in it, such as humans, buildings, landscape elements. If the work is Abstract name the colors and shapes and their visual occurence in the work. In either case, name only what is factually observable by you. Pretend you are asking a five year to name what they see in the work. The child will use nouns; no adjectives or verbs. Do not copy or paste words you have read when you describe because five year olds don’t write books! Use your own eyes and you will get better at this most fundamental skill of simple observation as the course unfolds.
4 Analyze – The Element of Principle of Art you are analyzing should be written in the first sentence here, name it right off the start (it should be the same one you put under your picture on the document. One Essential Element or Principle of Art is your focus and it is the only one you Analyze here. The IQ Reading Tool may introduce you to more than one, but you are to choose only one for this Analysis. Simply tell where do YOU see that one Element or Principle at play in the artwork? Then tell us for what purpose might the artist have used it to get your attention or message across to the audience? Your skill for analyzing the Elements and Principles of Art will improve so don’t expect perfection from yourself when you start doing your Analyses. I look for improvement.
5 Interpretation #1 – Off the top of your head and in your own words, what do you think the artist was trying to say with this artwork? What is something you see, with your own eyes, in the work that makes you think this.
6 Interpretation #2 – Artists Teach Us About Cultural Beliefs. Now look at yourself and your ideals. What is a personal bias you held before studying this work? What is an opinion you held that has changed since gave this piece of visual art some of your time and your attention?

Design Analysis Writing Instructions Part 2 - Steps 1-6 Include...