Analyzing Visual Images and Design in Picturebooks

Begin by considering the format of the images and their placement in the picturebook.

We walked home in silence.

1. Where is the text located? Within the image? Separated by borders or white space, Why?

The text is located to the right of all the images separated by white space.  I feel the author did this so he didn’t distract the reader from the images and animation.

2. Are the illustrations double page spreads, single page images, collages, overlapping images, or portraits?

The illustrations are double page spreads with the image on the left and the text on the right.

3. Consider the series of images in the picturebook. Do the images change over the course of the book? Do they get bigger, smaller, change?

The size of the images stay about the same throughout the course of the book the only I noticed that changed with each voice was the format of the text. 

Select an image from Voices In The Park to consider. Use the following questions to guide your analysis.  Take a Screen Shot of the Image and embed the image in your blog. 

1. What is fore-ground and in the background?

The fore-ground is Charles, his mother, and their dog walking out of the gate at the park.  The background is the park, trees in the park, and the city at a distance.

2. Consider the path your eyes follow as you approach the image. What catches your eye first? Why is that element salient?

The lady in the red hat and blue coat walking the dog catches my eye first.  She is colorful and very noticeable.  The tracks from her boots also lead a trail to her which guides your eyes to focus on her and the dog.

3. What colors dominate the image? What effect does this have on you as reader?

I think green dominates the image for the most part.  It creates a warm feeling of the park and sense that it may be summer when everything is still alive and has leaves.

4. Consider the use of white (negative) space. Are the illustrations framed or full bleed? How does this position you as a viewer?

Most of the illustrations are full bleed.  There are a few that have a frame.  I think it doesn’t hold my focus to the picture being full bleed.  It lets my eyes wonder on the page and see not only the image but the text as well.

5. What is the reality value or level of abstraction? Are the images life-like or stick figures?

The images are life-like to a certain extent.  The picture of the park is realistic but monkeys wearing clothing, shoes, hats, and walking dogs isn’t very realistic.

6. Are there any recurring patterns in the images?

I think everything in the background seems to have a round shape.

7. Are there any anomalous elements? Things that stick out, or seem out of place? Are these important to consider?

The two tall city buildings in the background kind of stick out and seem a little out of place.  These may be important to consider since Smudge seems to be from the opposite side of town and lives in the city.  They are in the background of her dad walking her to the park and are very close up in those images.

8. What is the artist trying to get you to look at through leading lines, colors, contrast, gestures, lighting?

I think by the lighting it looks like it is about sunset on a summer or possibly fall day with the trees being an orange color and drew tracks to follow Charles’ mother to bring the focus to her walking the dog out of the park.

9. Are there any reoccurring symbols or motifs in the images?

I do not see any reoccurring symbols or motifs in the image.

10. Consider the style or artistic choices? Are they appropriate, and how do they add to the meanings of the picturebook?

I think the artists choices of monkeys being humanistic is a little silly but may be interesting and entertaining to a younger audience.  The rest of the images seem appropriate and carrying meaning if monkeys really did act and talk as humans.

11. How are the images framed? Are there thick borders or faded edges?

Some of the images have a thin line frame, some have none, some have rough uneven edges, and others just have shadows around the image.

12. Consider the setting of the story. How is this realized in the images? Realistically? Metaphorically?

The setting is at a park for the majority of the story.  Most of the images take place in a park setting.  The park is drawn to look realistic but monkeys talking and taking their kids and dogs to the park is metaphoric.

13. Consider size and scale. What is large? Why are certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power, control?

There is a large stone fence with big pillars around the park, a large metal gate at the entrance of the park, and large trees in the background at the park.  I don’t feel they are larger to be powerful or controlling but just to create the scenery of the park setting.

14. Consider the viewer’s point of view. Do characters directly gaze or address the viewer? Are the characters close up or distanced? How does point of view add to relationships with the characters?

The characters are not looking directly at the viewer.  They are viewed from a side stance.  They are in the fore-ground of the image closest to the viewer.  The point of view could determine the viewer’s idea of importance of the character or assumption of what is going on exactly in the specific image.