Graphic Design Artists Part 2

Joshua Davis

I love this and I think this is because it reminds me more of illustration than graphics. Its beautiful; the colours are simple just yellow and orange but this works, if there were anymore it would be too busy with such detailed graphics. The weight of line is thin and sharp making it delicate and I love how the composition has been used to balance out the chaotic design. The only thing I dislike is that it has all been done using CAD and the design has become very flat because of it.

Siang Ching

This is a really fun design, I like how Siang has taken something ordinary and made it much more interactive and appealing.

Dan Mountford

Dan Mountford is another designer who's work is absolutely beautiful. The two photographs work perfectly with each other. The colours are soft and faded, they create a calm atmosphere. So its suprising when you see cigarettes on the man's mind. Its like a twisted view of addiction.

Yurko Gutsulyak

 It reminds me of how goods used to hand wrapped in shops before given to the customer. This makes it more personalised, the customer feels special. The paper wrapping also suggests hand crafted quality and is more appealing than the usual cardboard casing. But most importantly, the packaging is so interesting, I would buy the product just to have the packaging.

Jared Nickerson

I love the combination of elements in this: typography, pattern, illustration. The style makes me think of comic books with its bright colours and zany graphics, its something I want to have a go at. I also like how the image ranges from realistic to more crazy, cartoony graphics. It keeps the viewer looking because the graphics don't blend in with each other and become invisible.

Gordon Young: Comedy Carpet

The design has changed the landscape of Blackpool and thousands have travelled to see it. This massive piece of typography has become a landmark of the city. The collection of type is amazing and reminds me of an old style newspaper or poster. It really suits the celebration of the classic comedians. People stop to read and recall fond memories and laugh with each other. I think its amazing that graphic design can do this on such a scale and change the enviroment so dramatically.

Graphic Design Week: Review

From the exploratory stage's graphic design week I have learnt of the different specialisms within graphic design: promotional, advertising, packaging, editorial, corporate and typography. Out of all of the specialisms I think I prefer promotional; its pretty open ended so you can design more towards your own tastes as long as the product is promoted. It produces some pretty clever ideas such as Gordon Young's comedy carpet which helped to promote Blackpool but wasn't anything traditional or ordinary. This has also shown that graphic design is everywhere and anywhere. It has become common place in our lives and affects us more than we realise.
   Artists such as Alan Fletcher and Dan Mountford have provided me with ideas on how to include different media into work. This will help when I specialise.

Article: Less mud, more art by Mark Sinclair

I chose this article because it focuses on how graphics has changed people's views of music festivals. It looks at how music has moved away from tie-dyes, camping and mud at Glastonbury festival into all different scenes and genres. With this, graphic design has responded creating advertising and graphics to suit every need.

Graphic design is all about problem solving and I thought this was a good example of the process in action. Because of the variety in music there were lots of artists and styles to look at for inspiration.

Graphic Design Artists Part 1

Stefan Sagmeister



The typography is quirky and works well the graphics. The type is simple and sans serif and suits the silly, informal graphics. What I really like about it is the inclusion of the image with the type, how the chicken's feet have been used to create the letters. The type then becomes unique.

Wim Crouwel

The type looks similar to something from a digital watch giving it a contemporary feel. It suits the subject and I think its clever how the letters have highlighted to spell out the word 'vote'.

Alan Fletcher

I love this. I love the colours, the shapes and the type. Its such a simple idea but it works so well and could be used with more than just typography. The colour are very subtle but they complement each other. This style of typography would be useful to bear in mind for my specialism.

Kris Sowersby

Bold, stylish and eye catching, because it is type only it has to grab the viewer's attention using just typography. It works but I would prefer it if it were looser and more quirky. Its too structured for me.

Pep Carrio

The image on the right is the one I really like, it has a clear layout and interesting type. I really like the sort of sepia tone used as it gives a nostalgic feel in contrast with the word 'easy's type which is much more modern. The image on the left on the other hand is messy, with type all over the place and no clear boundaries. I do like the different styles of type though.

Noma Bar

This is really cute and clever. The graphics are so minimal and I love how they have been manipulated to form a pig's face. Even though it is not the sort of style I would chose I still enjoy looking at this and I appreciate how uncluttered it is. A simple style is useful for communication.

3-D Designers

Bauhaus

Peter Keler

I personally dislike Bauhaus, I think that the colours are gaudy and the shapes ugly. That's not to say that I hate it though. The design of this cradle for example, although I find it hideous, has some interesting shapes like the circular rockers and the triangular cradle. Yet dispite the alterations, the cradle is still functional. This challenges you to think of ways to experiment with an existing object's design. Its weird but completely unique, and the design is contemporary far beyond its years.

Marcel Breuer

Marcel Breuer is another artist from the Bauhaus school, but this design I like a lot more. I think that the materials used work well together: wood, stone and glass. The design, once again, is modern but the shapes seem to interact better. I like how, because they are layered on top of one another, the house appears to float.

Thomas Heatherwick

I love Thomas Heatherwick's work, as well as being functional it is also beautiful. The bridge, for example, works perfectly for the purpose it was built for, but it is eye-catching and creative. Curves and layering seem to be a common theme and it is what makes his work look so complex and the scale of his projects can range from small to enormous. This is not something that could I implement into 3-D design myself but the curves and colours would be good to include in sketches.

Ingo Maurer

Light fittings are usually quite plain in design, they may have a pattern printed on or different texures used but they are still the same conical shape as any other light shade. But, by ignoring typical ideas and designing around the light you are no longer limited to one shape. Ingo Maurer has allowed his designs to become free and creative because he has not confined himself to the standard shape of a lamp shade. This is something that can be applied to any area, not just 3-D design. The works themselves are amazing, they're so mad and beautiful. They look like a work of fine art rather than a light shade, its not something that could be fitted in everyone's home.

Frank Gehry

Known as the Dancing House, this building seems to exude movement. Great skill has been put into the curves to the appearance of a swaying motion, like that of a dancer. Its ultra modern design is emphasised by the traditional building sitting next to it. And whereas the other building 'sits' the dancing house morphs and changes going against the tradition of static buildings. I love this sleek fluid look.

Moshe Safdie

Habitat 67 is made up of simple cubes layered and slotted together. It just looks like so much fun to live in as well as to design. They remind me of sort of houses you build from Lego blocks as a kid. Everything about it looks completely random and mishapen yet it is just a similar design repeated and rotated over and over. They also remind of mountain side villages where all the houses are clustered together, it seems like it would promote a close, tight knit community which makes the buildings appear warm and friendly.

Meadham Kirchhoff

I love the vibrant colours used, the clothes stand out and are instantly memorable. I also like how most of the clothing is almost wearable, but just enough has tweaked and altered to make it that little bit more distinct. It seems to encourage the idea to take something old and change it into something new and drastically different. The style itself reminds me a lot of lolita fashion, which is something I really like, but most the clothing has an exotic look that I find appealing. Most of all the designs are fun and playful.

Chesterfield Market Day

These photos were taken on market day in Chesterfield, they are taken of things that I found interesting, humorous or had bright colours or strong contrasts. What I enjoyed whilst taking these photos was finding all the strange happenings and weird cultures in such an ordinary occurence. I chose to include some of the blurrier photos because I thought that they helped capture the busy atmosphere of the market.

Photographers of Note: Part 3

Carrie Mae Weems

The message in this photo is clear and bold, it communicates the racist view of beauty. Carrie faces away from the woman in the mirror as she does not want to accept this. She uses aggresive text in conjunction with the image to convey the fury she feels about the treatment of black women. I like the image overall, but I feel as though the photograph could be more powerful, especially when considering the text.

Ansel Adams

The composition in this photo really suits the subject. Its good how it emphasises the wide reach of the branches. What I love most of all in this are the strange twists and turns of the tree which make it look like something from a science fiction story. The use black and white also adds drama to the stunning scene.

William Eggleston

This photo is totally bizarre, I love how random it is and how unthinkable it would be to miss out on taking a picture. I think it also relates to how any ordinary person would react upon seeing a man play a piano in a car park; instantly take a photo. The next thing to notice is the glaring sign; that harsh white light draws your eyes in like a moth to a flame and shines like a spotlight on the piano. The gritty car park gradually becomes the mans own personal stage. Overall I really just enjoy the quirkiness of this photo.

Thorsten Brinkmann Style Photos

The pictures were taken in different lights, I prefer the first one as its much clearer to see.
   After looking at Thorsten Brinkmann's work we decided to create our own set ups. We took various scrap pieces of material and arranged them on each other in manner that resembled clothing and gave the models props.
   I enjoyed setting up ready for the shoot, I liked being able to control how the finished image would look i.e. arranging the materials, pose, choosing props etc. Due to changes in costume the pose and prop had to be changed but I still like the end piece. Feels medieval, a hunched old man on his travels, similar to how Led Zeppelin's album IV looks. I think it is a powerful stance, however, I would've liked to have used a brighter background because it is difficult to see the figure against the black. I would also have to use the original pose and prop as well. I think this is something I would like to try again in the future.

Photographers of Note: Part 2

Julia Margret Cameron

I love the soft sepia tones in this because they give a warm feel to the photograph. Even though I do not know the age of the photo, the sepia tone makes it look nostalgic and adds character to the girls face. She looks like a historic figure from someone's family tree. Altogether the image is charming and dream-like.
Henri Cartier-Bresson

This photo screams 'perfection'; the time spent preparing for exactly the right moment is incredible. It reminds me of a magician's trick, giving the illusion that the man is running on water. The composition is good, the fence separates the top third of the picture and the man is positioned on the right hand third, demonstrating the rule of thirds. There is also a sense of impending misfortune for the man as jumps ship; the viewer can clearly guess what happens next. This makes the photo light hearted and humorous.

Francesca Woodman

I find this image to be very disturbing. The woman's movements show her to be running in terror from a persuer the viewer cannot see. However, she is trapped behind the fireplace and can't escape. Upon closer inspection you can see that the woman is slightly overweight, perhaps instead of running from a physical enemy she is actually trying to escape her insecurities. This is further supported by the way she hides her face from view. The run down building works well with this idea of insecurity and fear. The photo as a whole makes the viewer feel uncomfortable.

Drawing with Light

First group attempt of drawing with light.

Second attempt.



Another group set.



Second attempt.

Sketching another person's figure.

Group sketch.

Another group sketch.

Drawing with light was certainly a fun experience, if a little dificult. Becaue you can't see the image as you're drawing it you have no idea how its going to turn out. The drawings themselves are beautiful I like how you can achieve different colours with diffirently tinted lights, they remind me of neon street signs. I think this technique is too quirky for me to use constantly but could be useful for certain situations.

Photographers of Note: Part 1

William Klein

The pose in this photograph is very powerful, the expression on the boy's face is particularly striking and your eye is immediately drawn in to him. His furious anger also seems to be mixed with a little remorse and is shared by his 'friend' who appears to be persuading him to put the gun down. The gun itself is incredibly blurry and you almost miss it at first as it is so close up. A gun has suddenly been pulled on the viewer, once you see it your senses are on alert, but why has he pulled out a gun? What led to this rapid sequence of events? Why is a kid barely 12 years old about to someone? This photo appears like a scene from a movie and makes you questions about the characters.
Robert Capa

What I love in this photograph is the contrast. On the one hand you have a bullethole ridden wall of a war-torn street and on the other, three children smiling and laughing together. Even though these people have lost everything around them they continue to make their way through life as best they can.

Steven Klein

The colours in this are simply gorgeous, from her  make up and clothes, right through to the colours in the background. Her beauty turns the worthless rags into something precious and desirable. I find the composition interesting, how she rises up from a sea of rags like a princess. The whole photo is like a fantasy made reality, however, there appears to be little beyond that.

Reflecting on Illustration Week

This past week has opened my eyes to the variety within illustration as I have explored beyond the traditional view of an illustrator.
   Illustration is far more prevalent in everyday life than I first thought, with specialisms like editorial, diagrams and commercials. Illustration week has taught me to observe what's around me more closely, but also I thinks important to look at how the illustration I see reflects what its describing.
   From the artists I have seen I feel more encouraged to explore collage as a technique in illustration. Although I prefer to draw what I see, I would would like to try mixing sketches with collage and cut outs. David Hughes' work in particular has inspired this.
   Out of specialisms we have looked at, book cover illustrations are the ones that still appeal to me the most. I think its interesting to see how different illustrators interpret a single story. What they chose to illustrate is personal to them and I think it is the specialism that gives you the most freedom in this line of work.

Article of Choice

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/features/wake-and-smell-roses-even-better-draw-some

The reason I chose to post this article is because I think it highlights the importance of life drawing skills and drawing skills in general for illustrators. I realise that observational drawing skills are key to becoming a successful illustrator but in our age of technology, such physical skills are becoming side-swept. It serves as a reminder that, although CAD can enhance and improve a piece of work, it should never entirely replace basic, quality drawing.

Understanding Illustration

I am exploring the world of illustration, looking at different artists work to understand what it means to be an illustrator.

David Hughes.

A commercial illustration for the New Yorker. I love this example of David Hughes work. The portrait, although appearing simple, is highly detailed using lots of lines to build up the image. It gives the man lots of character to his expression.
   But what I find most interesting is that the illustration is not purely drawing; collage has also been used, including cut outs and an old photograph. It demonstrates the variety available in illustration and also breaks up the look of image nicely.

Darrel Rees.

His illustrations appear to be a combination of print and collage, there are very few hand drawn lines in his finished work. I think that because of this they appear more logical and analytical. There are no rough edges, everything is smooth and precise with no random element making his work seem more like scientific diagrams.
   It is also another example of the variety in illustration.

Liza Corbett

Liza Corbett has a more traditional style of illustration using media such as pencils, inks and watercolour with stunning detail. Her work is very intricate with strange symbolic content. I really like the quirkiness of her illustrations, they transport the viewer to a world beyond. The expressions of her figures are also striking and gives a lot of personality to her characters.

Jonny Hannah

I chose to look at Jonny Hannah because of the extreme amount of typography used. In this case the text has become the illustration rather than just an accompaniment, the myriad of text demonstrates the variety of Shakespeare's work. It is an interesting style that engages the viewer by tempting them to read all the text in the illustration.

Simon Pemberton

Simon Pemberton uses a broad spectrum of media and specialises in recreating textures. As such each piece is unique and very distinct. His style is something that I would not normally implement myself so by looking at his work I can generate different ideas for my own and hopefully experiment with processes I would not have used other wise.

Lucinda Rogers

This is another style that is different to how I would usually approach things. Lucinda Rogers wanted to record buildings or ways of life that changing or disappearing and it reflects in her work. With a combination bold and fine lines, her work looks as if it still 'under construction' and could be changed at any time. Colour is minimal and shows that less can be more.

Edward J Detmold

My personal favourite, having read the Folio Society's Fables of Aesop as a child I adore vivid colours and striking composition. His illustrations are simply beautiful and really brings to life Aesop's characters. Print making was among the techniques he used and it is something that I also wish to explore.