Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
RUSSIAN DESIGN SEMINAR NOTES
RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN
In
todays seminar with Richard we learned about the progression of Russian design
throughout the Russian revolution that started in 1917. I found the seminar really interesting, as I
had never been introduced to Russian design before. Designs such as ‘Beat the
Whites with the Red Wedge’ by El Lissitzky really opened my eyes to how Russian
designers were considering how to deliver the intended message on many levels.
Using shapes and colours to portray their message to the illiterate percentage
of the audience. Moreover, I was also surprised to see how experimental they
were with different production techniques such as photomontage. We see images created by A. Rodchenko that use
this technique and would not look out of place being produced in the design
world today. Below are my notes that I took
during the seminar.
Overall, I found the seminar really interesting, and I hope to widen my knowledge of russian design from this time period.
Monday, 15 October 2012
STUDY TASK 3
IMAGE COMPARISON
The two images we are comparing are both posters with a purpose, focused
on first capturing the audience’s attention and then delivering the proposed
message. Both posters deliver their meaning through a combination of image and
text, it will be interesting comparing the similarities and differences in
their advertising methods as the posters were produced decades apart.
The first poster, entitled ‘The Uncle Sam Range’ was created by
Schumacher & Ettlinger in 1876 and is a poster advertising a cooking oven. The
second poster was created by Savile Lumley in 1915 and is a propaganda poster
aimed at persuading middle class men to join the army.
Firstly, both posters sell you the dream of your life being better in
some way. The ‘Uncle Sam’ poster is aimed at the American middle and upper
class, as the illustration depicts a scene of wealth and affluence. Moreover,
there are patriotic American references drenched in every space possible. The
use of patriotic references makes the poster relevant to its target audience,
people aspiring to live the American dream. Additionally, The poster created by
Lumley is aimed at middle class men in Britain. Created as a world war two
propaganda poster, the image depicts a man lost for words as his children question
him about his role in the war. The poster cleverly hints at the fact that this
man played no role in the war. Through his distant stare, the artist portrays
his feelings of remorse and cowardliness. Portraying a clear message to men
viewing the poster, join the army and become a hero your family can be proud of.
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| http://data6.blog.de/media/765/4912765_546f7279a8_m.jpeg |
Both of the posters rely heavily on illustration to help convey the
message and connect to the viewers. In the poster by Lumley, we see the use of
children, they help question the male ego, as there was a focus put on how a
man should provide for and protect his family. The male’s blank stare
reiterates the fact that not going to war will leave you looking like a coward
to your family. However, contrasting this ‘The Uncle Sam’ poster uses images of
wealth and patriotism to entice its viewers. Using illustration, the
poster shows an American family cooking a variety of food on their new oven.
Everyone is smartly dressed and the interior of the house oozes prosperity.
Moreover, there are aspects of racism also included on the poster. At the time
the image was created slavery was still generally accepted in America, a small
slave working around the oven makes this apparent. Additionally, there is also
list of food, making fun of the foods eaten is other countries, the purpose of
which is to show how America is more culturally sophisticated than the rest of
the world.
To conclude, both posters portray a similar message, that if you buy or
do what the poster is advertising your life will be better off. However, each
poster uses a very different technique of persuading its viewers to do so. The ‘Uncle Sam Range’ portrays a life of affluence that can be obtained
if the product is purchased. Contrasting this, the poster created by Savile
Lumley uses guilt and shame to persuade its viewers to join the army and help
the war effort.
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
ALPHABET SOUP - TYPEFACE
Alphabet soup - Task 2
Before we
received our brief we were assigned a partner from the group, we where
then each given a sheet of questions to ask each other. This collected
information would form the base for our research. I typed up the notes taken
during that session, they can be seen below.
What is
your favourite colour?
Purple
What is
your earliest memory?
When she
was younger a friend pushed her over her scooter handlebars.
Which
living designer do you admire the most, and why?
Rob Ryan,
he’s a paper craft artist who creates really intricate pieces.
What is
your most treasured possession?
Jesus
Bracelet given to her by grandmother.
What
would your super power be?
To be
able to read minds.
Which
piece of graphic design do you wish you had created?
Who would
you invite to your dream dinner party?
The whole
Geordie shore crew and Heston Blumenthal.
What
makes you unhappy?
Bad
drivers.
What
would be your fancy dress costume of choice?
Salt and
pepper shakers.
Additional
information I found out was;
She does
Ballet and Modern dancing.
Really
likes collage and paper craft.
After we completed this task we were handed the brief.
Above is my ideas generation, I have decided to
base my font around that fact that Melissa does dancing. First I have decided
to research into the possibility of basing my font on different dance poses.
The above image portrays how I could make my letter forms look like dancers. However, I would have to some how make them look more elegant as their body positions are too rigid.
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| http://www.netweed.com/allworlddance/bodytype.jpg |
The above image portrays how I could make my letter forms look like dancers. However, I would have to some how make them look more elegant as their body positions are too rigid.
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| http://livinlargelovinlife.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/beijing-olympic-sports-logo.jpeg
I then found the branding for the Beijing Olympics, the logos that were created for each of the sports are simple, flowing stick characters. However, they are effective and portray the sport intended. I like how the lines of the body flow, it is an element that I want to use when creating my letters to make them look
more elegant. |
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| http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs9/i/2006/034/4/d/Body_font_by_CommunistOlga.jpg
This is a body themed font, although it is much
simple and lacks body features. All aspects of the human body such have the head have been removed and
the letters have been left as legs and shoes. This concept would not work for
me as it is not linked to dancing. However, it has made me think about how legible my letters will be when crating my font.
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Moreover, this is another
body themed font. However, this time the body features are noticeable. I am
going to experiment with creating letters like this but more simple and flowing
alike the Beijing Olympic illustrations.
Character alphabet designed by illustrator Yoswadi Krutklom
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After some
experimentation sketches I am having doubts about how my initial
concept would look. Therefore I have decided to further my research and look at
some other possibilities.
The
above typeface was done by Therese Vandling, a graphic designer based in London. The letters mix
illustration and collage to make up the letterform, Melissa mentioned that one
of her interests was paper art and collage. Therefore, I could look at creating
something similar, mixing illustration and collage to create my letters. I will
find out more information about Melissa’s interests and hobbies to help me form
the content.
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| http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Life-in-the-Alphabet_/322840
Eibatova Karina is a designer from Russian, she
designed the typeface around the idea of natural forms. I think the letterforms
are remarkable and the detail that is achieved is amazing. Each letter is done in pencil, scanned in and
left untouched. I really like the illustrations and how they have been adapted
to fit the letterform, I will need to consider how I will compose my letters. I
believe this alphabet works so well as each letterform uses one strong theme,
it will be hard for me to achieve this as I am mixing collage and illustration.
 An Illustrated Alphabet by Jakub Konvica, she has used the same concept as me but her alphabet has different content. My aim is to produce letterforms similar to this that utilize both illustration and collage.
This
typeface was created by German graphic designer Silja Goetz. She used a mix of
Victorian clip art, photography and illustration to create her typeface; I hope
to produce mine in a similar way.
These 'Alphabirds' were created by illustrator Andrea Kalfas. This alphabet adapts the shape of birds to create letterfroms. I have chosen to look at Kalfas' work as i like how she has kept her illustrations simple, so that adapting the shape was easy. I need to consider how i will adapt my illustration and collage to create letterforms.
Alphabet designed by Yuko Michishita
illustrated typeface by Tsepo Makate
A hand-drawn alphabet based on gestalt created by Jaci Kessler. This is very similar to what i want to produce using objects to portray letterform and Melissa's personality
Now I had a good idea of how I am going to produce my alphabet I
will start researching possible fonts I could use as a base. However, I don’t
think its as important researching they letter base because of how I will be producing
the letters. Therefore, I will spend less time researching typefaces so I can
focus more of my time on producing my alphabet.
This
typeface is called ‘coolvetica’ it’s a sans serif font that’s based on American
signage in the 1970’s. The font is based
on Helvetica as at the time everyone was modifying the font such as sign-makers
and designers to suit their own purpose. I chose the font as its basic and bold
making it perfect for a base font.
This font is called ‘Splendid plan nine’ and was designed by
Jayvee D.
Enaguas. I have decided to look at this typeface as its a basic, big, bulky
font.
I
have decided against researching into more fonts as I think that having a base
font wont be overly useful when I start creating the letterforms. Therefore, I will start collecting imagery to work with.
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