Analyzing Visual Images and Design In Picturebooks

Analysis of Voices In The Park by Anthony Browne

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

The words in this picturebook are located to the right and they are separated by white space.  This is consistent throughout the book, and I think this is make the picture come first in the way the eye reads (which in English speaking culture is from left to right).

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

The illustrations seem to be single page images that share the page with block of text.

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 images are consistent in size.  The majority of them contain an animated element, and some sound effects.

Analysis of Page from Voices In The Park by Anthony Browne

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

The fore-ground features an anthropomorphic ape person, sitting in a chair.  He is wearing the clothes of a working class man.  The background is mostly white, but it contains his shadow which is cast from the light of a television.  We cannot see the television.  It is implied.

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

The first thing that catches your eye is the ape character in the foreground.  He presents about 90% of the emotion conveyed by this page.  His facial expression and body language show his feelings even before you read the text.

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

This picture is filled with the blues, both literally and metaphorically.  The characters clothes, and his giant shadow are blue.  And since we tend to think of melancholy as “blue” in color, this helps convey the emotion.

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

The text is separated by white space.  There is a clear gulf between the image and the words, and this helps to make the image come first.  There also seems to be a pause between noticing the pictures and noticing the words.

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

For cartoon characters, they are lifelike.  I find this character to be particularly realistic because of his clothes, and body pose.

6. Are there any recurring patterns in the images?

Everyone in the story is a human-like gorilla (with human arms).  They all seem to live in a 1950’s style New York City.

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

I didn’t find any anomalous elements.  I felt the design was pretty consistent throughout.

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

I think the artist is trying to get you to notice the facial expressions and body language of the characters before you notice anything else.  The illustrated characters dominate the page.

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

There seems to be a dog in every picture.  The dogs seem to represent freedom and the draw of the outdoors.  The dogs are part of the reason each character visits the park, and they help as a catalyst to heal some of the depression in the story.

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

Turning people into animals is common convention that can make even somewhat serious stories palatable for children. 

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

This particular image is not framed by any lines.

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

The setting (a fictitious city) are realized in some skillful artwork.  I think they come across very realistically, even though the artist has added a ton of activity to some scenes.

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

Usually the characters are the largest elements in the picture.  This causes you to focus on the people before the background or the text.

14. Consider the viewers 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 do not fully acknowledge the reader, even though they speak in first person.  It is almost as if each character is speaking to his or herself.