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The art direction of this film and its surroundings media is perfect for the emotion of the films characters. These harsh lines inside of the film's poster match perfectly with the overwhelming power of the "sleepwalker" in this film. The experimental curving shapes, like vines writhing, make the audiences skin crawl. "The Cabinet Of Dr.Caligari" brought new environments and new feelings to the theatre.
Originally I used the film poster's harsh lines as inspiration for my design. however after realising the posters design was more focused on the form and layout of the typography, I looked closer into my second researched art style for inspiration.
week 2 blog
week 2 blog
(Horror's Inspiration)
(Horror's Inspiration)
During our first weeks I researched Bauhaus and Post Modernism. I found the artistic direction of both styles incredibly interesting. Bauhaus' crushing angles and postmodernism's apparent distaste for the status quo in any form really stuck out to me. That weekend I watched what is considered to be, the first horror film. A german film called "The Cabinet Of Dr.Caligari". This film had many interesting pieces that evoked the stylings of Bauhaus. including the fonts used, the sets and the promotional pieces for the film itself. all of the art direction in this film highlights many tactics used in Bauhaus in fact the Moodle reading for Bauhaus lists its as using "...LIMITED COLOUR PALETTES, DIAGONALS, GRIDS VISUAL HIERARCHY," and "EXPERIMENTAL" all of these elements are evident within the film's set pieces.
The secondary inspiration I was now researching was post modernism. Barbara Kruger, one of the most well known artists in the space (possibly for the copyright issues of Skate brand turned hype beast magnet Supreme, practically stealing the typography style she popularised). Kruger brought typography and prints into a single art piece. these pieces all contained messages of anti capitalism, feminism and other driving forces during the 80s. However she connected her words with prints that made sense thematically without being too obvious or on the nose. Im sure we've all seen her art. Besides the messages within her art, its just amazing to perceive, she really does create some breathtaking pieces.
A piece I particularly enjoyed is "Untitled" (Our prices are insane). This piece uses complex laying of the typography, a disturbing visual and a concerning message. The juxtaposition between the words and the image really convey the message. Krugers comparison to the 1940's horror film (couldn’t find the film sorry) to the overused advertising slogans of many brands around the time, really push the symbolism of capitalism's negative effects, Especially within America.
A bit of reflection on these past few weeks of design class. Im really enjoying this class and its my current second favourite of my four classes. I'm enjoying my research and was not expecting to find such a perfect example of Bauhaus in "The Cabinet Of Dr.Caligari" when my dad showed it to me (Thank god for his vintage horror obsession and my research into the art style) I also really enjoy Barbara Kruger's work and plan on using a similar colour palette that she and Bauhaus artists both use often for my own work. Although I have a new idea I developed a rough draft of my poster based on a collage I created a few years back, which when combined with my typography, almost reminds me of Krugers work. To be honest, I want to create something new so I believe I'll shift to a different image as background for my typography.
week 4 blog
week 4 blog
(print pioneers)
(print pioneers)
David Carson, the rebellious pioneer of grunge typography, and El Lissitzky, a visionary of the Russian avant-garde movement, responded to the social and political landscapes of their times in different ways through their design work.
Print 26."Rules of Grafic Design" series
David Carson
The New Man 1923
El Lizzitsky
Emerging in the 1990s, David Carson witnessed a transformative period in pop culture and communication. The computer age and the rise of desktop publishing brought a meteoric rise of information and a standardised design approach. Carson, however, embraced chaos and experimentation. His designs mirrored the fast-paced nature of contemporary society, utilising overlapping images, distorted typography, and crooked layouts. Carson's loud style resonated with the counterculture movements, challenging established design norms and offering an authentic aesthetic that encapsulated the spirit of post-modernism.
In contrast, El Lissitzky thrived during the early 20th century when Russia experienced profound political and social change. As a key figure in avant-garde culture, Lissitzky aimed to create art and design that could drive societal change. Influenced by the Russian Revolution and the Constructivism art style, he believed in design's power to communicate political and social messages. Lissitzky sought to forge a new visual language that mirrored the ideals of the Soviet Union. Through his use of geometric shapes, bold colors, and innovative typography, Lissitzky conveyed progress, aligning his work with the revolutionary spirit and promoting the ideals of the new socialist society.
In summary, David Carson and El Lissitzky each responded to the cultural, social, and political climates of their eras through their unique design approaches. Carson's rebellious and experimental style defied the norms of the digital age, capturing the fragmented nature of postmodernism. Meanwhile, Lissitzky's work was driven by the political and social changes spurred by the Russian Revolution, aiming to communicate and advocate for the ideals of the evolving socialist society through the dynamic art style that is Constructivism.
Even though Lissitzky's style is different from the art styles I am looking into, both pieces shown above represent the colour palette and general layout I am looking for in my piece. I have now shifted my focus to the typography layout of my piece and will begin looking at extras later on.
With my development of my poster I thought I would employee new techniques within my design. after watching the "Spiderman Across The Spiderverse Trailer" for the thousands time I thought, why cant I do that? so I decided to incorporate a technique used by artists in pop art, comics and all over the world, Ben day dots. This style uses small dots of different colours and sizes to create depth or shading within the design. I also thought including this throughout my whole print could create the "decaying font" styling of postmodernism. I also want to create an animated version of the poster which could be found by scanning a qr code somewhere in the design. the QR code should match the design language of Bauhaus kind of like the bar code which I see utilised often in examples. With all of these styles and ideas I have I hope my poster is one cohesive piece that looks amazing
week 6 blog
week 6 blog
(wrong type of designer but its too late now)
(wrong type of designer but its too late now)
The designer I chose is Issey Miyake. he is a giant in the industry who created nothing but gorgeous, earth shattering work.
Issey Miyake's quote reads "I expect the people who own my clothes to discover for themselves where and how to wear them. My design is no design."
for my work I'll use the shortened version "My design is no design."
This quote is so, so powerful to me. fashion design as of late has become a big passion for me and personally, I love designs with multiple functions that can be discovered by the wearer. Like my favourite brand Hamcus, almost every piece has multiple functions. No basic T shirt to be found.
To me that function and engineering within design creates opportunities for adventure and exploration of the piece itself. Im not just wearing the piece I am discovering it's possibilities and pushing it's limits. The same can be said for topography, good design to me implores exploration, only the viewer can define its limits.
Issey Miyake's design is no design, he intended his fans not just to wear the art, but to define it themselves.
Fashion is interesting like that it is one of the only art forms that is essential to human life, and yet innovative designers like Issey come along and bring new meanings to the art form bringing back that function while keeping its breathtaking form.
Miyake's designs were substantial in the industry, inspiring many. Even after Issey Miyake's death his student, turned new creative director of the namesake brand, Satoshi Kondo, said that the runway show after his death was not a tribute to Issey Miyake but rather his whole life is the tribute.
As I grow as a designer I want to keep this philosophy in mind. Remembering that my designs can be utilised in many ways, will help me push those boundaries and go on those expeditions of creation. I want to create art that can be utilised in its many forms, music, typography, film, fashion, all of it. I want all of my work to be boundless and its form, only to be judged by its viewers.
If I remember that "my design is no design" then maybe I'll make some truely ground-breaking pieces. no matter my work's quality, however, it will never compare to Issey's legendary art.
Issey will always remain a inspiration. not just for me but designers everywhere. The philosophy of engineering in art is a wise and beautiful one. I only hope that in my final collage I can represent that philosophy in the form of typography design without the function that fashion design inherently has. And one day i hope to work more with textile engineering. I have ideas, and inspiration, its just not as easy as opening an Adobe Illustrator window and designing like I did for my poster. I hope I don't loose this interests and can gain the tools needed to go on my first expedition into the world of fashion.
week 8 blog
week 8 blog
(Another Volkswagen fanboy)
(Another Volkswagen fanboy)
A monogram is a powerful symbol created by combining two or more letters, typically the initials of an individual or a brand, representing them in a visually captivating and distinctive manner. It possesses the ability to convey a brand's essence effectively. While some brands adopt monograms as their primary logo, others utilize them as a space-saving representation of their identity. Furthermore, monograms can serve as signatures for creative individuals, adding a personal touch to their work.
Volkswagen's monogram has remained relatively unchanged over the years, standing as a testament to its timeless perfection. Comprised of simple perpendicular lines, it has evolved from a symbol associated with the dark history of the Third Reich's automobile to an iconic emblem representing the free-spirited era of hippie culture. Today, it symbolises one of the leading brands driving the transition towards electric vehicles.
VW's logo is a masterclass in simplicity that works in a way that will always be legible and always be legendary. The simple use of shapes and lines makes this one of the most easily defined logos let alone monograms.
While I am a fan of this monogram's artistry I'm not sure if it will work for my monogram. Well have to see what I settle on but I want to try something different as Im not sure if simple lines will work for my initials LMW or LW
Anothher Day is a new fashion brand with simple yet gorgeous pieces heavily inspired by their friends in the industry, Basketcase Gallery. Both brands play of of street culture turning rather basic essentials into statement pieces with a voice.
Speaking of basic designs into statement pieces, Anothher Day's logo is a great use of monograms that ooses creativity while keeping the crucial information.
Also on a different note, it looks like I chose two logos with a circle container on accident. If my initials were more perpendicular I would try a circle container but I don't think it will work as well.
Anothher Day's logo serves as another simple monogram that finds frequent application in their designs. For instance, consider these two examples. The symbolism within Anothher Day's creations often revolves around themes of peace and prosperity. This philosophy is reflected in the designs, where individuals are depicted pushing forward or gazing toward the brand's logo, as if it represents a goal or a collective aspiration. This innovative approach to incorporating the monogram as an integral part of the artwork could offer an intriguing perspective on the creative's signature. Instead of merely featuring the art and the monogram (or the full brand name) separately, the designer merges both elements into a cohesive and captivating piece of art.
I am truly captivated by this creatively driven application of the monogram. Maybe I should consider incorporating my own monogram throughout my zine, integrating it into the overall design just as Anothher Day does with their artistic direction. I could also try incorporating it with the text of the zine almost working as its own container?
week 13 blog
week 13 blog
(the zine to match all zines)
(the zine to match all zines)
The 2nd task for design class was very interesting I had lots of fun with the design elements of the zine. We started with the "ransom collage" featuring the quote from our week 6 blogs. I was very excited for this assignment as I had the perfect Material to use for the collage. the iconic artist and uncle to me, Ron smith (Below, red shirt) had gifted me his collection of Artlink and Artforrum magazines.These magazines were filled to the brim with Australian art. They were just perfect for collage pieces. All sorts of interesting letterforms and imagery that could be used to create new masterpieces.
When we started I had so many ideas I wanted to do a whole zine with just collage pieces but I knew that was a little extra. I just started cutting out everything that looked everything. I had done this once before with these magazines, my robby the robot collage from earlier was all done using collage. To my suprise I found a multiple page article about Barbara Kruger. Containiing interviews and pictures of a new show she had running. If you you look closely it is used for one letter "M" and one letter "I".
Most of the letterforms were from seperate artist's flyers for their newest exhibit. The frame on the left was from a framing shop in Australia with the slogan reading "you supply the masterpiece well bring the frame" to be honest the rest is just pieces I thought looked compelling or made me laugh such as the words in the corner that read "ADIOS CARY LEIBOWITZ/CANDYASS... HELLO JEFFERY JENKINS !!!!!!!!!!"
I was also very proud of my Monogram which went over many different changes and versions including like 10 different fonts, a bunch of different shapes, and a few containers. In the end I settled on a font called "Courage" on Adobe fonts. I edited some of the shapes in the letters to increase readability and added a wave affect to the two letters to create movement. Overall Im really happy with my monogram it makes me look like a modern 5 star hotel chain.
Next I was really happy with my full layout of the zine the layout is interesting yet keeps the legibility. I had fun with action words on the page before the back cover, as every time the word "space" appeared I changed the font to appear more spaced out. I also bolded some of the more rough words like "machine made" and "tidiness". I was really happy with my colour palette, its all so seamless and some would say the colours have perfect synergy (sorry couldn't resist).
I did have big issues with the printer and then my computer altering the psychical production of my zine but I was literally about to pull my hair out so I left it there. hopefully the pdf I submitted shows my creative prowess without any issues.
Overall I am really proud of my zine and its individual parts. If I were at a artists market I would by this zine :)
A
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