The image I chose to look at was a double page spread from a book by J. Otto Siebold called Lost Sloth. I chose this image because its really engaging and fun to look at, its one of the first ones that catches your eye as you flick through the book and is really vibrant.
Context:
Purpose- The purpose of the book in general is to entertain the reader, possibly adults but most likely children. But the purpose of the actual double page spread is to be bold and eye-catching, I feel it also intends to be a focal point of the book.
Problem- In this case, the problem would be trying to make the story accessible to young children and helping them to make sense of it.
Audience- The audience seems to be mostly children, but could also appeal to a lot of adults and people like me and others on my course etc that are interested in different pieces of illustration.
Reason- This books reason for being created is primarily to entertain, as the illustrations are relatively skin deep and easy to enjoy, but some could argue that the book bears the important message that life isn't just about the destination, but the journey.
Client- The book was published by Mcsweenys publishing so I think that would be the client.
Image:
Visual- The visual imagery of this double page spread is very chaotic and there is lots going on, but I think this makes it all the more interesting.
Aesthetic- The colours are really happy, and possibly a little too bright and over the top. Although its a cheerful aesthetic, you could possibly say its made a bit creepy looking by the soullessness of the characters eyes.
Art Work- The artwork in my opinion is beautiful, but some have said its creepy as mentioned before.
Form- Simple lines and block colour make up most of the images in the book which in my opinion makes the book feel quite jarring as children's books are typically illustrated in a more soft, child like style.
Picture- The whole picture I have chosen to focus on portrays the part of the story where the sloth climbs out of his window, on the clothes line to try and reach the supermarket faster. Although the sloth was probably intended to be the main focus of this image we are drawn in by so much more than just the character of the sloth. We can also see clothes on and falling off the clothes line, a cat looking out of the window and a bird in a tree. That's what I find so appealing about this photo as there is so much to look at.
Idea:
Concept- The concept of the book seems to be to entertain and it does this well, it keeps us focused on the main character thanks to the well placed text and engaging imagery.
Meaning- The meaning of this piece of illustration could also be to teach people that you don't always have to do things the fastest to do them well.
Tone of Voice- To me the tone of voice of this piece of work feels quite silly and playful, with the dreamy composition of the images and the whimsical text. The tone is also very child friendly and makes sure not to use any difficult or inappropriate language.
Communication- I feel the book and this image in particular communicates its message very well, its clearly laid out so that the reader can read the relevant text before really stopping to look at the picture. The only criticism I would give is that younger children may find it a bit too hectic to really focus on whats happening.
Authorship- Having looked at some more of J Otto Siebolds work I can see that he definitely has a distinct style which can be identified as his, this really comes through in this book and he lets himself be as playful and fantastical as he wants.
I was given this book by my Stepmother who found it in a shop in the Laines in Brighton. She bought it for me as she knows I love sloths and children's books so thought it would be right up my street. The reason its the one I chose to analyse is that its so different from a lot of the other children's books you see in book shops, as the text and story seem to be so geared towards children but the images aren't the classic ones we've come to expect of most children's books. I really enjoy this juxtaposition and would hope to achieve it in some of my work.
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