Good vs. Bad Design

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

vs.

Betsey Johnson Too Too Pretty

Color        Light         Texture        Line        Shape        Balance        Simplicity

I chose to compare these two designs because they are so similar and so different. They are both targeting the same market (if you can believe it). They are both trying to reach adult women who can afford high end perfume. Not only that, but they are both very playful designs. It's a very specific type of woman they're targeting - one who enjoys childlike design.

I will compare and contrast these two designs using the following design principles:

Color: In the case of Daisy, the pastel colors create a sweet, almost innocent, look. While Too Too's hot pink comes off as immature.

Use of light: Daisy's bottle is designed to reflect light in a way that illuminates the bottle, creating a radiant affect. The way light hits the Too Too bottle make the plastic look cheap.

Texture: Daisy has a smooth glass bottle, smooth gold lid, and smooth plastic flowers. However, the flowers create contrast by the way they are lifted of the bottle. If you ran your hand over the lid, it's obvious there would be bumps. Too Too's bottle utilizes different textures by the different materials used. The fishnet, the tulle and the sequins all provide rough textures. The glass underneath the fishnet, and the plastic of the bodice are smooth. 

Line: The way the lines on Daisy's bottle curve create a softer, feminine look. This is achieved without literally having to duplicate the shape of the female body to look feminine like Too Too does. Daisy has curves along the line of the bottle, along the rounded lid, and along the outline of the flower petals.

Shape: Daisy has a pretty standard bottle shape, but it works because there is already enough going on. While the Too Too bottle has even more going on, and the bottle shape overdoes it. 

Balance: Daisy has asymmetrical balance because of the different size flowers on the lid. This creates a childlike, innocent feel. Too Too uses symmetrical balance.

Simplicity: Daisy's design is simple, yet playful. It is reminiscent of childhood. While Too Too doesn't just remind you of childhood, it is a duplication of a doll you had growing up. Having to copy something shows a lack of creativity,while Daisy creates a feeling of innocence and sweetness. 

Contrast, Harmony and Balance

This is a photograph of Horseshoe Bend in the Grand Canyon. I found it on a blog called "The Long Goodbye," although I'm pretty sure it originated as a desktop wallpaper. Is that cheating, using a wallpaper as my example? Maybe just lacking creativity. Regardless, I found this picture to be breathtaking as well as representative of contrast, balance and harmony.

The most obvious contrast to me is the coloring. The rusty orange of the rock is on the opposite side of the color wheel from the blue of the water and sky. This accentuates both colors as they pop against each other. In addition to the complimentary colors, the rough texture of the rock contrasts nicely against the smoothness of the water and even the sky.

Harmony is one of those concepts that's hard to put into words. For me it's almost a feeling. I think a big part of the harmony in this picture comes for the organic shapes and textures. All of the parts of this image look as though they belong together and could be found in nature (which they obviously can). Nothing looks out of place or chaotic, but the image is still interesting because of the contrast.

The balance in this picture is caused by the symmetry of the landscape. If I were to fold this picture in half hamburger style, the halves would be relatively identical. Admittedly, the center rock is asymmetrical, but it creates more of a sense of organic shape than imbalance.

These three elements of contrast, harmony and balance combined create a picture that is not only pleasing and relaxing, but also interesting to look at.