Anti-Urbansism

As part of this project we have to think about our potential specialism for next year. In my portfolio review I decided to continue with straight graphic design as I feel it is too early to focus on one particular area.

Graphic Design is not just about selling a product or making it look aesthetically pleasing but can also be used to express an opinion or evoke certain emotions. I've decided to focus on the topical subject of pollution - which is increased by continued urbanisation.

While researching Peter Saville for my 'Visual Career Case Study' I found a public awareness ad he created with M&C Saatchi. The TV commercial used Optical Illusions to warn the viewer about the importance of road safety.

On the Creative Review site there is an interview with Saville where he discusses the thought process behind the ad.

I thought this could be an interesting concept for the urban motion piece. I could create a public awareness ad on the harms of urbanisation and pollution.

The Economist

I meant to put this image up a while ago, its taken from the front cover of The Economist's August 2010 issue. It shows David Cameron sporting a Union Jack coloured Mohawk to symbolise his 'radical' start as PM.

The Economist is a very influential global magazine and they have gone for a very strong image which portrays a clear message.

This week we are supposed to be thinking about a specialism and an area we would want to work in, in the future. Since the case study on Peter Saville, I've wanted to use graphic design to 'communicate a message' to an audience. He said how fashion tells us what to wear, graphic design tells us what to buy and art tells us how to think and feel.

But I think the line between art and design is very thin. Who says an advert can't be a piece of art?

Case Study - Presentation

Today I had my presentation on Peter Saville, for the professional studies module. I think it went really well and was pleased with the reactions from my tutor. He praised my research and said it was obvious I had worked hard on the order and content of the presentation.

He did however mention the way in which it was presented. The brief stated we should create a PDF in InDesign. As Saville became known originally for his album covers at Factory Records, I thought it would be nice to present my slides as album covers.

I thought it showed his work in a unique way but its downfall was that the carousel couldn't be viewed at full screen.

Case Study - Research

This term we have been researching and gathering information on a designer of our choice. The designer has to be of relevance to me and my potential career direction.

I originally started looking into Pixar and John Lasseter as I thought his work ethic was amazing and he really loves what he does. Some of the work he and the designers at Pixar have created really makes people feel and affects their emotions.

During a lesson with our Tutor we were shown work from last year and I realised John Lasseter wasn't 'Graphic Design' enough. He didn't really apply to the work we were creating on the course. 

Next I looked a Jamie Hewlett, the artist behind the identity of the band Gorillaz. I've liked his style for a while and particularly liked how his traveling and research had had an impact on his work. Again he didn't really apply to the course and my 'career direction'.

During the history module, we looked at the work of Abram Games. A designer who created propaganda posters during the war. I was inspired by his work and the meanings behind his pieces.

I thought it would be interesting to look at designers who use their designs to get across messages and influence others. I ended up going back to my Top 40 research and looked at lists of top 10 graphic designers. The same names kept appearing: David Carson, Neville Brody and Peter Saville. 

After reading an interview with Peter Saville I became very interested in his theories on design and design education.