1. Optic Strategy
Graphic Analysis

2. O=Overview
Look at the graphic as a whole. What is happening in the graphic? Your statement should be a complete sentence that describes the visual with enough detail so that someone not looking at the visual would have a general idea of what is contained in the visual.

3. P=Parts of the graphic
Break the graphic down into sections. Describe the placement of objects on the canvas. Name everything that you see. Describe color, lighting, and placement, attitude, sizes, orientations, and movement in the image.

4. T=Title What would you title this graphic?
After you are given the actual title, tell why you think the artist used this title.

5. I=Interrelationships
Analyze the relationships in the graphic. How do objects, or colors, or people relate to each other in the graphic? What seems to be the most important “relationship” in the graphic?

6. C=Conclusion
Draw a conclusion about the graphic as a whole. What does this visual mean? Summarize the message of the visual.

7. Look at the graphic below.
Write everything you notice
in your journal.
Be prepared to discuss.

8. OPTIC Example Overview: This is a photograph of a man
standing in front of large boat
chains on a dock.

9. OPTIC Example
Parts: Man - White/unremarkable, Center, Arrogant/driven, Adult, In front of ship chains
Boat chains - Gray/steel, Center, Powerful, Huge, Behind man
Dock/pier - Gray/dirty, Bottom, Strong, Large, Below man and chains
Watch chain - Silver/white, Center, Small, Diminutive, coming from man’s vest pocket

10. OPTIC Example Parts continued: Tophat - Black, Center, Tall,
Appropriate, On top of man’s head
Boots - Black, Bottom, Used, Medium to large,
Holding man up
Cigar - Black, Center, Powerful, Large, In man’s
Mouth
Suit - Black, Center, Used/comfortable Fitting On man

11. Optic Example
Title: What title
would you give this
graphic?

12. OPTIC Example Title cont.:
Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Launching Chains of the “Great Eastern” is the actual title of this graphic. What does the title mean? Why did the author use this title?
This famous portrait was taken as part of a series of photographs by Robert Howlett that documents the construction of the massive steamship The Great Eastern on the banks of the Thames. It is a powerful image in which the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel ( ), who was the ship’s creator, projects all the confidence and ambition of the Victorian era. Howlett portrays Brunel in his ‘stove-pipe’ hat and stacked-heel boots to give him height and presence. His formal clothes are dishevelled and muddied from the site. The backdrop is dominated by the chains of the stern checking drum. This controlled the slow slide of the ship down to the water’s edge, where it was launched by being lifted on the tide.

13. OPTIC Example
Interrelationships:

14. OPTIC Example: Conclusion:
A man’s impact can be much more immense than what would be judged by his size alone.
A man’s power is not relative to the forces that get in his way.
Man can overcome obstacle just by the sheer power of his will.
A man sets his own limits relative to what he believes he can
conquer.