Studio Brief 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Using shapes to represent adjectives

Visualising themes and adjectives through shapes

The top design represents the courtroom scene from eye level perspective. The thick black line represents the black community sitting above in the stands which is represented by the thinner line. Below this the defense and prosecution are situated with the circles reflecting the white people in the scene, Mayella, her father and Atticus. Tom is represented by the square to show how most white people see black people as a different to them. By placing a circle with the square this represents Atticus standing for Tom. The line in between the two pairs of shapes act a way of separating the prosecution from the defense creating a sense of sides.

The bottom design reflects a similar idea however reduces the focus to the two sides. By overlapping the shapes this creates a greater impression of support between the elements in the two sides. The squares emphasis a sense of  separation between the two sides.

The top left design reflects how Atticus (the circle) protects Tom (the square). By placing the square within the circle, the circle acts as a barrier against other elements. The arrows create the impression of aggression through their sharp direction. By using multiple arrows this reflects the sense that there is pressure from the white community all around.

In the bottom left design the use of overlapping circles creates the sense of a crowd of people close together surrounding Tom (the square). The contrast in circles (white community) and square creates a clear visual difference between the two groups and emphasises how outnumbered the square (Tom) was.  

The top right design represents the protection of Atticus (the smaller circle) over Tom (the square). The larger circle represents the white community who are supporting Mayella (the small circle). By using a larger circle for the white community this suggests how Atticus is outnumbered in comparison and the overlapping of the circles reflects the pressure being put on him by the opposition. 

The bottom right design is a reflection of the scene where the black community stand for Atticus despite Tom being found guilty. Using a thick black line represents the black community up in the stands which wrapped around the court on three sides. The thinner lines are used to signify the ground below with a gap for an 'exit'. Atticus is represented with a circle as he 'walks' towards the door.

  

The top left design uses the idea of protection with Atticus as the circle with a larger circle enveloping Tom creating a sense of a protective shied or bubble against outside forces.

The bottom left design again plays with the scene where the black community stand for Atticus. By using parallel lines on either side of the circle with open ends this creates the sense of movement through the space.

The top right design simplifies the courtroom scene by just having the prosecution and defence. This creates balance within the design and further emphasises the idea of two sides against each other.

The bottom right design represents the scene where Atticus waits outside the jail with his lamp to protect Tom from the Lynchmob. The semi circle acts as the light with the lines reflecting the light beam with Atticus sat underneath. The design, however, looks a little like a spaceship beaming the circle up, so this idea could be shown in a different way.