Module 11 - Final Project

Reflections

“If you can sustain your interest in what you’re doing (throughout your life) you’re a very luck person… I’m still astonished…things still amaze me, and I think that’s a great benefit of being in the arts where the possibility for learning never disappears, where you basically have to admit you never learn it.” - Milton Glaser

I came upon these inspiring words while researching Milton Glaser, a hugely respected Graphic Design pioneer and icon, with a prolific career spanning over 50 years to back him up.   What strikes me about these words is the inspiration for all of us to never allow ourselves to stagnate – to think we know everything we need to know, and become complacent with the world.  This overarching lesson is one I take to heart, and have surely experienced from taking The History of Graphic Design.

At times, the extensive amount of reading, supplemental lectures, writing, observing and critical thinking exercises, seemed overwhelming.  However, I chose not to be daunted. I’ve realized through the years that the classes, work, whatever project you delve into the most, are the ones you gain the deepest understanding and appreciation of, and are those things you carry with you and draw upon the rest of your life.

I’ve taken art and some design classes in the past, but never an art history class.  I realize now, after taking The History of Graphic Design, that I was most certainly at a disadvantage.  My work was strictly based on intuition, and lacked depth, and creativity.  Now that I’ve taken the class, I understand why my work was stunted: I was missing the visual vocabulary and historical foundation learned in this class.  I clearly remember a design exercise from a class I took.  Looking back now, it was very reminiscent of Constructivism.  I recall the teacher getting very frustrated with all of us because we were not producing the work he expected.  Then, it was difficult for me to understand the concept, but if given the project now, with the knowledge I have of Constructivism, the lesson would have meaning to me, probably resulting in a richer product.  This knowledge motivates me to continue learning about design. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned, experiment, and observe the results.

Il Lissitsky, Contructivism

Like travelling to a different country, the experience of learning adds something vibrant to your life.  The experience changes you, and no one can take that away.  This is how I feel after taking this class.  I no longer look at art the same way; in a sense, I’ve become more attentive to what I see.   I now ask myself why do I like that piece? Does it communicate clearly? What, if any, historical design influences were used? What visual design elements are used?  How are they used?  Do they work well together?  What would improve the design?  Is the solution unique, or have I seen the problem solved that way before?

Milton Glaser

Inflluences: Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Japanese Woodblock

A curiosity for learning more about other artists and influential design movements has also crept into my life.  While researching topics for the weekly field journals, the flexibility of the Internet allowed me to venture off into other directions.  So much so, that often times I found it hard to narrow my choices for that week.  For instance, Milton Glaser I found to be a fascinating, wholly inspiring person.  Further wandering on the Internet led me to the works of artists such as the Thonik Group, Phillipe Apeloig, Nancy Skolos-Wedell, and others – the information seems boundless.

Thonik 

Phillipe Apeloig

Nancy Skolos-Wedell

After taking this class, I’m also more attuned to the political, social, economic and technological forces that influence visual design today, and how they may affect visual communication in the future.  These factors cause change, and are part of life, as we’ve seen in this class.  Graphic design is part of that dynamic.  A contemporary example of this involvement is the STEM to STEAM project, led by the State of New Jersey, the Rhode Island School of Design (the school president is John Maeda), educators, business and technology.  National support for the project is also gaining momentum.  For those not familiar with STEM, it is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Promoters of the project have evidence that supports the beneficial inclusion of Art in STEM.  From this addition STEM becomes STEAM, which drives innovation for the future.  Art is proven to stimulate creative thinking in humans that the other disciplines cannot.  If you’re interested in finding out more, please visit www.stemtosteam.org.

John Maeda (President RISD) with business, government leaders 

STEM to STEAM forum

A side benefit of taking this class has been the exciting exchange of ideas brought to my discussions with family and friends.  The information has been so interesting to me that I want to share it, discuss it – pass it along.  My newly-found creative use of type and image in text messages may sometimes get a “ugh”, but believe it or not, discussions about what is an ideograph, what the invention of printing meant to people, how did modern art begin, the impact of the industrial revolution, how wartime influenced art, and the influence design has on social movements, have inspired enriching conversation.

Finally, I must say that the information presented by class members in their weekly field journals help to expand my learning.  An online class could have a tendency to leave you with only your perspectives and ideas, but with the field journals, that potential learning gap is filled.  I enjoyed hearing about what other class members learned from the modules, and about their interests.  Their unique observations, and perspectives helped to enrich my learning experience.

Thank You!

Baskerville font ;)

The following pages of my blog serve to illustrate a progressive journey through graphic design history.  The blog is published in descending order with the most recent journal appearing first.  Titles include: Does Culture Influence Alphabet Design and Function?; Seventeenth Century Graphic Design Innovation?; Arts and Crafts Movement in the Digital Age; Periodicals of the Art Nouveau Movement; Modernism in American Graphic Design; A Modern Day Corporate Identity Solution; Corporate Identity Program – Flextronics; and Graphic Design and Public Service.






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Sources:


YouTube: Milton Glaser. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0VPVbFY4Kg 


New York Times, Sunday Review. Sunday, December 11, 2011, page 2,


www.MOMA.com


artdeco.blogspot.com


www.thonik.com


www.apeloig.com


www.skolos-wedell.com


YouTube: STEM to STEAM forum with RISD in Washington, 6-22-11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXgC5rGev-k

Module10 - Field Journal

Graphic Design and Public Service


I loved this module!  The audacity of new designers to challenge the status quo, Bauhaus and the International Typographic Style, was so refreshing. The concept based, more intuitive new designs are so much more relatable and exciting.  Although very legible, and easy to understand, the International Typographic Style was too rigid for personal design expression, and lacked excitement.

  

I also enjoyed seeing past design and vocabulary we’ve studied blended with contemporary approaches.  Why not draw on the wealth of graphic design history for inspiration.

Beyond the information presented in Chapter 23, I’m wowed by how digital technologies, and the Internet have pushed the visual communications world well beyond that experienced by the Guttenberg phenomenon.  A global world of information is available to us, more than I think we can even comprehend.  Now, we just have to harness that information, and organize it so that it helps people explore information in an active, meaningful way – and with digital technologies we can.  No longer are graphic designers resigned to fixed, linear communication.  The digital tools available to us allow for active, information- seeking experiences, aided by the continual exploration of digital media.

WITH THAT SAID, what really struck my interest about this and other modules, is the work that promotes social causes.  Graphic design to promote business is necessary so we have a thriving economy, but the designs that viscerally affected me were the posters promoting causes.  In that vain, I decided to research work done by the Ad Council.  Perhaps all of you are aware of this non-profit organization.  If not, here is an explanation of what it does: 


     Effecting Positive Social Change

The Ad Council has endeavored to improve the lives of all Americans since first creating the category of public service advertising in 1942. From our earliest efforts including "Loose Lips Sink Ships" to the more recent "I am an American," Ad Council PSAs have been raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives for more than 70 years.

Based on our long history of effecting positive change, it's fair to say that Ad Council campaigns have inspired several generations of Americans. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that future generations will reap the benefits of our efforts to date, and continue to be inspired by our public service campaigns in the future.


Primary Activities
The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization that marshals volunteer talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to deliver critical messages to the American public. The Ad Council produces, distributes and promotes thousands of public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventative health, education, community well being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.

Some people might feel that this is a way for advertising to "make up" for its commercial nature, (creating need in the marketplace), and in a sense it may be.  However,  I like to think it demonstrates the human need to help others by using their talents – in this case the talents of communications people, including graphic designers.


A visit to the Ad Council website, (referenced above) as well as their Facebook page is terrifically inspiring.  The design quality of the work is noteworthy.  Here are some examples I found on their website, and Facebook page:

I like this billboard for Feeding America. The drive-by nature of a billboard requires quick interpretation by the reader.  The type used evokes a "school-like" impression, and the bell symbol, and inclusion of children in the piece helps communicate the message quickly and clearly.

This is a sidewalk marquee found in Detroit.  Specifically aimed at Fathers, the concept of fathers spending time with their children is cleverly, and succinctly communicated using a simple clock form (circle with lines for arms) and activity icons for the hours.  

Another drive-by communications challenge executed with a single element.  I think the goggles shout "EXERCISE!".  The message could be for us all, but is aimed at people with arthritis, (for the Arthritis Foundation).

This bus stop poster was created by Shepard Farley, creator of the Obama posters, (featured on Time magazine's "Person of the Year" cover.  His use of limited flat planes of color are modernist in nature,  and the limited color palette reminds me of the colors used in Russian Constructivism.  The Obama poster was originally silk screened, and this poster has that feel as well.  I find the design to be very direct and eye catching.

Here is another Ad Council project taken from the designer, Bret Middleton: 

Print ad, billboard and augmented reality piece created and entered into the 2009 AdCouncil Ad Futures Competition. The charge was creating awareness about digital abuse. The piece placed 2nd in the competition and ran in the New York Times, on streets through New York and on ThatsNotCool.com.

The use of a character composed of type is ingenious.  It works to communicate the violence that digital bullying can impose on someone, and its potential for use in print and the web, (movement) is very clever.  I find the visual elements conceptual and communicative.

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Sources:

http://staging.adcouncil.org

Facebook.com - Ad Council

http://www.brettmiddleton.info/22781/work