Shatilla

Mackenzie Shatilla
Mr. Busch
Yearbook 2
5/14/19
Design Analysis Paper

I see some pieces from the video game series of Mario Kart that are worn down and are
floating in a lake. The designer’s goal was to represent a pop culture apocalypse, which
showcases a widely known video game franchise’s iconic pieces in distress. There is nothing else
shown but the remains of the apocalypse which is saying something without having to make it
obviously stated. The graphic designer used contrast and shadowing effects to enhance the drama
in this image. The attention to detail is present when looking at the half working lights in the
mushrooms, as well as the subtle bottles floating in the water. The designer used the reflection in
the water to showcase the situation as well as make this piece look more realistic and like it was
an actual event that occurred.
The medium used by the artist was an online editing source as well as photography that
was manipulated. The most distinctive part of this piece is the big mushroom that was placed in
the center of the image. Another distinctive part is the contrast between the shining part of the
lights in the photo, versus the lackluster of the other colors in the image. The color is very muted
in the image, and this was intentional for showing the mood and tone for the situation. Since this
was post apocalypse, everything is dreary, which was shown in the image. The designer did a
great job at keeping the design interesting. There was an uneven balance between the sizes of the
subjects, but that caused a more dramatic, eye catching and interesting piece. There is more for
the eye to explore the more that you look at it.
Like stated above, the author created the design to show a fictional pop culture
apocalypse and the reminisce of the stated event. The meaning of the work shows an over
exaggerated take on what could happen in our lives, whether that be through the path we are
taking with technology, etc. The title of this piece helps support my claim as well as the fact that
these subjects are part of such a loved video game but put in such a bad light and situation.
 Shatilla

This piece gives an interesting interpretation of what could potentially be and shows a
great deal of imagination. I think that attention to detail and how things look at face value are
important to a piece. This piece fits that criteria quite well with the elaborate story told through
the small details that could potentially go unnoticed. If looking at the mushrooms, their shadows,
and individual dinks and dents in the metal outlining of them, you can see the attention paid.