Wednesday 8 May 2013

discourse


Semiotics

Semiotics is the study of signs and sign processes indication, designation, likeness, analogy, metaphor, symbolism, signification and communication.
Peirce idea of semiotics is split into three types of signs, which are Icon, Index and symbol. Icon indicates a sign of an object of resemblance, for example pictures, maps or diagrams.  They are also not so noticeable icon’s that affect the sign like algebra expressions and index is the object. The symbol has no similar relations but it links to the icon but no link to the object like text. One example of this semiotics is by Joseph Kossuth, titled ‘one and three chairs’ in 1965. In the image, you can see three different definitions of chairs. The chair on the left is clearly the chair but the question is, is it really? However the actual ‘photograph of a chair’ is the index. The real chair or in this case the icon, is positioned in the middle. On the right the chair is the symbolic definition of the icon. Saussure theory proves that there’s no essential relation to the actual meaning.  For example the symbol is the ‘signifier’ and the actual significance is represented as the ‘signified’.



Modernism

Modernism is about designing a new world. ‘It was flourished during the years 1914 to 1939 and was the key points of reference for twentieth-century architecture, design and art’.  This image of the Le Corbusier, design for the Villa Stein De Monzie, in 1926 shows a modern sketch of a building, which is formed of thought-provoking square shapes and bright colours. “Postmodernism is in general the era that follows Modernism”, an ‘upgraded’ version of modernist. The schematic difference is that modernism is design and postmodernism transforms the design. It’s a futuristic enabled manifestation of what architecture is, should could or can be today. The developed formation of postmodern architecture has pushed postmodernist architects to create stimulating, surreal architecture for companies and the public. For example, my approach to create a postmodern sofa would be to make it look different by changing the structural shape into a more abstract shape and have it in vibrant colour.






Book: Modernism deigning a new world. Edited by Christopher Wilk.



Identity

Identity means ‘‘the state of having unique identifying characteristics held by no other person or thing, the individual characteristics by which a person or thing is recognized’’
During the period of when Adolf Hitler was a leader of the Nazi Party, Hitler idea of greater inheritances were people with blue eyes and blonde hair.  Hitler was known to have preferred the pure look of the Aryan Caucasians, apart from the Jews and wanted society to have the same believe of the pure image. Like in today’s society, identity or image still affects people.  For example, rules have applied in some jobs where the employees have to cover their tattoos. For more professional jobs like office jobs, people with tattoos might not even be considered for a job, as companies are afraid it could portray the wrong image to their clients, therefore viewing the individual differently. My question is this right? Because you have a tattoo does that make you a bad person?  What if you were the ideal candidate for the job with the right personalities and skills, should you be excluded or judged just because of your appearance. My personal response to that people should have a right to be different and to embrace their identities. Otherwise the world would be very mechanical and ordinary, where everyone looks the same. I believe that your identity could also be used to your advantage. Identity is used for branding companies, such as a logo. ‘The famous Golden Arches in McDonald’s logo represent style, significance and a strong corporate identity.’ It is a branding that can easily be noticeable and recognized in any region.





Banksy

Banksy is a well-known anonymous street artist who is well known for his dark humor and sinister stencil style graffiti. Banksy, a street artist whose identity remains unknown but its believed he was born in Bristol, UK around 1974.
 Banksy is an inspirational artist, who has inspired many different people.  His artwork is controversial yet humorous. His “artwork is characterised by striking images, often combined with slogans. His work often engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed.” Banksy gained a reputation for his provocative stenciled pieces. For example, the controversial but comical graffiti of two stenciled police officers kissing on a public brick wall and also a policeman bending down sniffing cocaine from the floor.
Today Graffiti is still questioned whether if it’s art or vandalism. My personal attitude is that art is not only for being displayed in galleries or museums but should be accessible to everyone on the streets. Graffiti however shouldn’t be used as vandalism but for artist to express a place or a community like Brick Lane in Shoreditch. Artists are free to express their creativity through graffiti on the streets or walls and can be viewed by the general public, including tourist who are also drawn to the place, which is beneficial for businesses in the area. Brick Lane has achieved its own identity, where graffiti is considered as art. 





  Olly Moss

Olly Moss is a British graphic designer and artist who was born on January 20th in 1987 and graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2008. He is well known for his unique re-working of film posters and visuals. He is now living and working in Winchester, UK. Olly Moss is an English artist, graphic designer and illustrator. He is best known for his re-imagining of movie posters and in particular I really like his illustration of spider man mask, which is also a women’s bra formed by the eyes of spider man. The use of shapes gives the viewer the optical illusion of thinking its one thing but is also something else.  A more well known artwork from Olly has is the box art and branding for Resistance 3 for Sony Company. This style that Olly has used is very clever, because one can see that in the skull at the bottom where the mouth part is you can see an cut out of New York City, using the famous outline of the statue of Liberty. Olly’s work inspires other independent artists that we can be playful with our designs, and not to be afraid with tackling well-known movies.  


                                             



http://ollymoss.com/



Edgar Mueller

Edgar Mueller was born in on July 10th, 1968 in Mulhiem/Ruh and is well known as one of the world's top 3-D illusionist street painters. Edgar first found his passion for street art at high school, when he around the age of 14. He saw chalk drawings on the floor that fascinated him. “Inspired by the transitory works of art which he met on his way to school, Edgar Mueller decided to enter the competition. He took park for the first time at the age of 16.”
 One of my favorite creations he created is the Creative Cave project, created in West India Quay, London. The optical illusion is of a crack on the floors are formed of caves underneath and it it’s so interesting as it appears so realistic. The street work he has produced inspires me today because it is so creative and evocative to the observer. It also makes me realize with hard work and persistence you can achieve your goals to inspire others.





Human portrait typography

Typography is very important in graphic designs because it is a vital part of promotional material and advertising. Designers use typography to set a theme and mood and are used to draw attention from the viewers.
In today’s society, there are now many creative designers who can use the developments of technology and software’s to manipulate font types, sizes, typefaces and wording, combined with imagery to deliver the intended messages. The position of typography is to form a human face, with the different sizing of the font you can see the text gets lighter when its gets smaller and when text is increased it gets darker. Overlapping layers of text can create darker shades, which brings tone into the portrait. It takes time and precision to create the curves but the final result is beautiful.






Paul Reilly

Paul Reilly is a contemporary illustrator who is renowned for his contemporary fashion illustrations which an urban influence. He mainly uses adobe Photoshop and adobe illustration. Paul uses a lot of portraits in his work to create realistic illustrations using life like colour and his illustrations use imaginative backgrounds to create a ‘thought’ or ambiance. Paul Reilly clearly likes working in the style with lots of dramatic colour. The illustration below is playful, colorful and using different imagery like a collage to create a vibrant image. The focal point of the illustration is the man in the middle, surrounded by a dream like state of what interest the individual. The mood of the illustration is very positive but the combination of his serious smile and the army uniform, suggests that he must sustain his professionalism. Paul Reilly has been a huge influence on my work today, because in graphic designs I love creating vector lines to create forms of faces.






Jonathan Ive

Jonathan Ive is a UK born designer who was born in Chingford. Jonathan is one of the frontrunners for best designs in the world for the brand Apple. “Apple's senior vice president of Industrial Design, reporting to CEO Tim Cook. Since 1996, he has been responsible for leading a design team widely regarded as one of the world’s best.” From the young age of 14 years old, Jonathan was interested design or “making stuff and drawing,” which determined his future in product design. Jonathan has designed successful machines including the MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad and iPad Mini.
Apple is a world wide recognizable brand and successful because of their innovative product design, which would have not been possible without creative artist. I have also consumed apple products including my favorite, the iPhone 4G. I am very reliant on my phone because I use it for all purposes in my everyday schedule including the Internet; Google maps or use their texting features like WhatsApp to communicate with friends. Apple continues to produce new and improved apple products to attract consumers to buy their products.  For example, the latest iPhone feature of voice control, which controls your phone by the sound of your voice, commands. Apple has designed their products around the convenience of the consumers. This is why design is so fundamental and must continue to evolve with the times.





Logos

Logos are an important aspect when it comes to Graphic designs. They are used throughout the world including in advertisements for films or organisations like charities. A logo is important to promote the companies identity, which is their trademark to be recognized the public. The purpose for ‘corporate logos’ is intended to be the company "face" and the significance of the logo is to help the reader identify the company. The graphical displays of colour, font and images provide essential information about a company. Logos are very visible and so it is important to get the logo right because it’s like a branding to show what the company does.
 Through the years logos have been recreated and improved, ‘It takes a lot of research to be able to redesign an old and familiar logo.’ One example is the distinctive red and white KFC logo, founded by Colonel Harland Sander. The restaurant is most recognized for their famous fried chicken. The logo design uses bold colours and lines, which makes it more visually striking. The image of the Colonel smiling is friendly and welcoming, which appeals to families.





Movie posters

“The movie poster, in all of its sizes and forms, has been the backbone on which this industry was built. Movies and their posters have grown side-by-side since the late 1800’s.”
Movie posters are a very important aspect of publicity to encourage people to see the film in cinemas or buy hard copies. An impacting poster that is designed to get the audience to notice it is down to details including a strong image and text for audiences to get a sense of the films genre. For example if the movie poster is promoting a horror film, it may have a picture of the killer or have text in blood.  Using big, bold text rather then small titles to make it easy to read. The use of typeface is really important detail on a movie poster to maintain the consistency of what the movie is or will be.  Today, not only can you encourage a viewer to watch a film by poster, but also now by the improvement of technology, it has created many different forms to advertisements. These different ways can be by billboards, websites, downloading iPhone apps.



Animation

‘Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images to create an illusion of movement’. It’s a series of lots of images that are put together to give movement. An animation starts off with a few sketches and is developed by using commuter programs to achieve a story.
There are few renowned companies such as DreamWorks, Pixar and Disney.  Animation takes a lot of hard work and focus to keep up the high standards. Noticeably the most popular animations have the same movements clips with the moving image synced. Winnie the Poo and The jungle book the both movement in scenes’. The only thing changed is the background and the characters. Animation has evolved over last decade because of improved technology and quality of editing has improved compared to previous animation, which were all hand drawn. Animation has come a long way since then with most drawing done on the computer, which enables the animation to become more realistic with the development of new-programed tools.
Previously animation appealed more to the younger generation but now its popular with all ages, especially influenced by the development of computer games too. Animation is being used more in mainstream films now then before, including comic books like Hulk. Anything seems to be possible with the development of animation and it will continue to thrive in the future.



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