Graphic Design: Photos I Like

PHOTO LIBRARY

Here is a library of photos from the internet that appeal to me and have helped influenced my own style of graphic design. They're from a broad range of websites, mainly tumblr. 

Source: http://41.media.tumblr.com/0425fb709b1427936379397d9a011e6a/tumblr_ng2ttkMixY1r5vojso1_1280.jpg

This design appeals to me through its minimalistic design. A clean dark background gives emphasis to the bold white type which is scrabbled about the poster, which spells out "We love graphic design". I also really like the use of contrasting bright colours on the tubes which are in different vectors and sizes which gives the design a sense of depth. If I could improve this design I would give the information text a more dominant colour scheme to give it more clarity.

Source:http://40.media.tumblr.com/832d9066f2dbf5d0334d688d68143196/tumblr_nfzcbfEQKP1tr6gdto1_r1_500.jpg

This is Philippe Foré All Weather Train Weather design in 1972. I love the use of colour in this design. It's eye-catching multicoloured stripes looks like the dispersion pattern of white light, similar to the album cover of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Yet again, there isn't much depth to the design but the fact the stripes veer of to the left of the poster replicate a train track. The shapes used in the design make up a train like structure so by using a range of colours for each strand could be seen as reinforcing the message this design is going to give that these are all weather trains (colours representing the weather.)

Source: http://40.media.tumblr.com/5f88179870f11bbd92bd04b89fec70ed/tumblr_ng3ajbQSlg1qzbjuko2_1280.png

This is one of Tano Veron's Symmetric Animals. I like this design as it has a vast array of colour, shapes, patterns and of course, symmetry. There is little simplicity in this design, for instance the background is just as complex as the tiger's head. This design would be very hard to replicate myself and would take hours of dedication to create such an image. Maybe not best suited to help influence my project. 

Source: http://coolmaterial.com/home/pictogram-movie-posters/

I really like pictogram posters. Their simplicity in colour and shapes are what make these designs so popular as anyone can potential make their own one. The symbols used in these designs are universally recognisable as well as the use of the helvetica typeface. If I can incorporate any form of pictogram designs within my project I will. I have attempted my own pictogram designs for one of the homework tasks in another blog. By creating these posters, it forced me to learn new skills, tools and shortcuts on photoshop that I had not used before.

SOURCE: http://www.snapily.com/blog/minimalist-movie-posters/

Minimalist film posters are effective as they capture and emphasise key elements of the film and are usually made by fanatics for the films. The above examples are just a few of my favourites, these designs are similar to the pictogram designs but the use of colour and more freedom on the typeface gives these designs a different mood.

Photos I've Like on Instagram

Photos I Like on Tumblr

Critical Introduction to Project

CRITICAL INTRODUCTION

In the 21st century, technology has advanced the way we educate and communicate with each other. The digitalisation of teaching has made education become more efficient, simple, reliable and accessible for teacher and student. George Whale's project aims to communicate these aspects of digitalisation. Through the visual aesthetic of his designs within his project, Whale keeps to a contemporary, minimalist design by exploring the use of colour, framing and pattern and how these aspects of digital design can be used to "convey a mood, describe reality or codify information" Lupton (2008). Simply by contrasting the first fundamental colours of graphic design with green for the branding of the DigiTeach conference pushes the conventional design aesthetic into the present and gives visual energy to the project. The 3 colours that dominate the project are neutral, cool colours. The green conveys growth and new beginnings with calming attributes in comparison to the neutral colours of black and white which gives the project power, elegance and sophistication. Black dominates most of the project and the aspects of white connotes cleanliness and gives the aesthetic a minimalist feel

Influenced by the designs of Saul Bass and Paul Rand, their incorporation of geometric shapes and frames within their designs conveys information in a clear and organised fashion. Whale monopolises on this aspect of design with consistent use of stripes and rounded squares throughout, which improves the legibility, layout and presentation of his presentation.

The use of typography is key in terms of the visual communication of the project. Being targeted at an adult educators, a neutral yet professional typefaces is needed, and none other would fit the mould better than Helvetica. After watching Hustwitt's Helvetica documentary, Whale discovered the power and dominance this font has in everyday society and how people attribute the font's success to Steve Job's incorporation of the font into the apple operating system. From this, Whale made a connection between helvetica and Apple and decided to use app icons as another typeface of the project as app icons "tell a story and build an emotional connection with users" Apple iOS Developers (2014). Therefore, by using these icons instead of another typeface, it gives the an interactive feel to the aesthetic.

Overall, Whale's project displays firm understanding of the basics of graphic design and shows development in his own style and creativity through his lack of use of colour, texture and transparency, giving his project formality. It integrates simplicity with poise.

Blog Address:

http://creativedigitalmediaterm1.blogspot.co.uk/

Bibliography for Introduction

1. Lupton, Ellen (2008) Graphic Design: The New Basics, : Princeton Architectural Press

2. iOS Developers (2014) iOS Human Interface Guidelines, : Apple Inc. Available from: 

https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/MobileHIG/Iconography.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40006556-CH59-SW1

3. Helvetica (2007) Directed by Gary Hustwit. UK: Veer and Swiss Dots