week 9~ The Digital Revolution and Beyond

          During the digital revolution one artist in particular stood out to me, and his name was Helmut Schmid. He became popularly known for creating international, thriving type design. His layout and format of type was very bold, simple, yet striking enough to catch a viewer's eye. He did many works in Japan which included identity branding and packaging for various consumer products. He even wrote many articles on typography itself. I think his work was clean cut and edgy looking. I like how he contrasted the different weights on the letterforms as well as placement. 
         He used white space to his advantage which many artist and current artist struggle with doing. The designs were developed with appropriate spacing, and concept of how the long-length paragraphs were going to be formed. I think Helmut Schmid was a great designer, especially when it came to dealing with type. 

Creative Brief 3 *The Information Age*

1. Identification


A 1974 poster production of the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Created by the artistic, Polish artist, Waldemar Swierzy.


2. What is the project and the problem?


Swierzy was known for creating music posters ranging from Jazz, to folk and pop art styles as well. His poster design was meant to represent the change and passion that set art apart from the world. He wanted to create his own personal visions through subjects that he possessed a great deal of interest in, in this case which is music. 


3. Who is the client?


The client list is very vast. It may range from anyone who was looking to promote Jimi Hendrix's music, his poster could have been used at ticket displays, museums, the movies, local music stores and so on. There was not a specific client that this artwork was aimed to reach. 


4. Who is the intended audience?


The intended audience are the people who have been inspired by the work of Swierzy, but mostly the fans of Jimi Hendrix's music approach.


5. What is the core message?


The core message showing is that, his music will provide a cool, rock, loose type of sensation, and the portraiture even shows off a bit of his appeal.


6. What is the hoped for outcome?


I believe that the hoped for outcome is that people will not only purchase this poster because they are fans, but because it can remind them of the artists himself, as well as having a great piece of art in the possession.  


7. What is the graphic strategy?


The graphic strategy being presented is a Jimi Hendrix portraiture, done in multiple mediums ranging from acrylic, and watercolor paints. The swirls indicate the various tones and craziness of rock music. The color tones of the poster "the blues and blacks" are cool colors, that represent Jimi Hendrix's personality and a small reflection of how he presented his music. He was a smooth, genuine guy that loved his music.

week 8~ Corporate Identities

MTV Logo Design...


Originally designed by the Manhattan Design firm this production was first seen on TV in 1981. Partners Gorman, and Olinsky whom both had fine art background. Developed this sans-serif "M" which later on depicted a graffiti-like "TV" on the front if it. This three dimensional figure was the best design that I have seen last for so many years, and still going strong. It has the capabilities to change color, font, add or take away decoration to the letter forms, its dimensions, angle "point of views" and even when in motion. Viewers are still able to distinguish this iconic logo. I believe that a successful logo is one that can be re-created from its original, for multiple years, and this is exactly what the Manhattan Design team confirmed. Below you will see, the different stages and effects that can be added or subtracted to this logo design, and still how it remains iconic and successful.

week 7~ The Modern Movement

Saul Bass...


Inspired by Paul Rand's use of shape, balance, and color. Saul Bass began creating his works that had a lot of influences of Rand's designs but were not as busily structured. He is most commonly known for his work that he produced in title sequences in movies, as well as creating the logo design for AT&T "the bell", and many many more iconic logos. I think his work is simple enough to be sophisticated and not too overwhelming with text, image, and colors. He created out of a vision that led him to produce many successful pieces. A quote below samples where and how he gains his inspiration to design...


"My initial thoughts about what a title can do was to set mood and the prime underlying core of the film's story, to express the story in some metaphorical way. I saw the title as a way of conditioning the audience, so that when the film actually began, viewers would already have an emotional resonance with it.~ Saul Bass


While he created title sequences for over 40 years, we can still see today how he has left an impression on graphic designers throughout America.

week 6~ A New Language Form

Kasimir Malevich...

An inspiring painter, who developed a painting technique known as suprematism, used basic forms and bold-solid colors to reach his goals. Malevich believed that everything in art was creating with form and color, he rejected the idea of using pictures for representation. I agree with his style of painting, I think a lot of what we create and how we design today is based off of our feelings and emotions. Art shouldn't be conformed to just depicting actual pictures. When combining shapes and colors, you can then use these elements to create and develop just as well masterpiece. And this is exactly how Malevich became a successful designer. Below you will works completed by Malevich and how he approached using form and color. Pictures and images can still be depicted but they are done with form and not representation. Something I believe he contributed to art very well.

week 3~ Graphic Design and the Industrial Revolution...

Chromolithographic...


 During this era of time, labels and packaging were becoming more important areas that were being developed with the use of chromolithographic. This method was becoming popular in almost every American city. Traveling circuses and carnivals used this idea to create posters and flyers. I think this method did have its ups and downs, but the bold colors that could be used, illustrations, and fine typography made this method more unique then using letterpress printers. I like the use of layering that the printers had to re-create with using their stones. I think this always help add depth to some pictures that did appear more realistic than others. Although this method was a bit more expensive and could take up to months to produce, I think this was the best and most unique way that printing in the 19th century was done. 

*The Modernist Era* Creative Brief

1. Identification
Lucian Bernhard created this "Manoli" cigarette, poster-advertisement in 1910. The name Manoli came from the owner of the company's wife, Ilona Mandelbau, which is reversed.


2. What is the project and the problem?
We are viewing an advertisement for Manoli cigarettes, Bernhard was hired to complete many poster designs and this was one for the many. His concept was brief and straight forward, including the simple geometric figure which was the image, and text which was the product name. His used a great sense of simplicity if his works, which also help make the poster easy to understand and viewers were able to see what he was trying to communicate.


3. Who is the client?
Bernhard was designing for Manoli Cigarettes, which he then later reduced the company's trademark to a single letter-form printed in two colors. Although he elminated the figure of the cigarette box, and Manoli written out. The client was still happy with Bernhard's work. 


4. Who is the intended audience?
The intended audience would be anyone able to purchase cigarettes at the time. The sans-serif lettering made the image look more sophisticated, and providing the display that this was a "clean cut" type of product. 


5. What is the core message?
The central message here is Bernhard and the client, suggesting the use of smoking Manoli cigarettes. That these cigarettes look good, and come from a worthy company, who cares about their product's image. 


6. What is the hoped for outcome?
The hoped for outcome is that sales will increase after and during this poster is displayed, and also that Lucian Bernhard himself will become a notable graphic designer,with his much used emphasis on designing for the future.


7. What is the graphic strategy?
The graphic strategy used by Bernhard is quite simple. He combines to elements the product and the product name. The overlaps them, with using a stroke around the text to make it stand out while placed in the back of the product. He used simple, but yet bold colors that weren't overwhelming when placed too near each other, but still enough to catch a viewers eye. The solid black background enhances the product's elegance, along with the gold formatted cigarette box. Having the box placed at an angle rather than dead on, allows viewers to gain some type of dimension of the product, as well as more views of detail work on the inside of the carton. I believe Lucian Bernhard was very successful at completing this poster advertisement for Manoli cigarettes.

Austin Cooper and his approach to cubism

Austin Cooper... 


A successful cubism graphic designer. Presenting his collage-themed posters with all sorts of brights colors, overlapped text, large scaled geometric planes, and the twisting and distortion of those planes as well. His work grabbed my attention while reading through this section because I liked the layered approach of his poster's themes. They not only communicate a certain setting or landmark, but is also enhances his text by the variations of colors, some letters are italicized, and even how he used text placement to run up along the edges of posters or at angles as well. Some of his work even appears airbrushed which helps add texture and different dimensions to the geometric shapes. 


Although he doesn't completely use the entire space,he worked well with leaving black and white space to his advantage so his work of color and collage would not be so overwhelming or viewed as distracting. On some larger images, you can see that they whole figure outline is not completed, but with him using splashes of solid color, they help provide balance and complete the simple thought, that he was trying to loosely communicate.


Below are posters that were done by Cooper, that reflect his sense of cubism, and depth portrayed by use of color, text, and imagery.

Jules Cheret

     When the issue of society having more freedom became popular, that's when the art world exploded with galleries of large scaled images and simplified glorious designs. One popular designer at the time was Jules Cheret who did a great job at defining the carefree lifestyle and enhanced beauty. Many of his posters contained images in motion with bold colors, swirls surrounding the figures, and random gestures. The lettering that was done in the posters also contained this swirl motion that provided viewers the sense of what the advertisement was trying to convey. I feel that Cheret believed by the amount of bold color, motion, lifelike figures in poses, were all going to make his art that more successful compared to what was being done in the past. When society dubbed his portrayl of women also known as Cherets made his work that more notable and worthy, that his art vision was the women should be idealized and admired. 
     Jules Cheret help inspire a new image for women in this late Victorian era, although there were not many options for women in this day of age, with his help of publicity in his art work, I think provided women with more self esteem that they too could possibly reinvent themselves to this type of beauty. I love his use of motion graphics and how the watercolored image's gestures were not boring or repeated. They all varied from dancing, drinking, fashion and enjoying life. These posters help communicate what could be seen as positive aspects of life. His work could easily be used for theatre performances, music assemblies, and or various product advertisement. 

Hamilton Woodtype and Printing Museum

The Hamilton Wood-type and Printing Museum located in Two Rivers, Wisconsin is an amazing historical site, that has been preserving wood-type and printing instruments for many years. It’s a shame that something this notable doesn’t receive more recognition nationally that what it already has. I personally feel that if we can preserve history of how our ancestors made a daily living, then this museum too should have more impact on citizens of the country.

As a graphic designer today, I feel very inspired and lucky to have the technology that has grown with us throughout the years. A lot of manual work was done back then, for instance finding the correct leading and type pieces, cleaning them, and storing them back in their proper positions adds a lot more that you would be putting into projects. One positive aspect that I did gain from this movie experience was the quality the wood-type produced. The difference in this type allowed the letterforms to be a bit more textured than our standard print methods do today. I would love to have the opportunity to use wood-type to create some sort of poster. I think this distinguished look could still be quite popular today in art and amongst graphic designers everywhere.

It’s a shame that this museum is a bit left in the dark. There is so much hidden truth, knowledge, and history behind the doors at 1619 Jefferson Street, and even by selling wood-type pieces, it still wont hold as much meaning as the museum itself does. I feel that I gained quite a bit of knowledge by watching this film. I was used to hearing stories and facts about woodtype and printing, but to see it with my own eyes through a film-documentary made it that more enlightening. These days were so used to having the computer and printers do all the manual work, we almost forgot how we got to this point in life and where it all developed from. On another note, I would really love to take the time and visit the Hamilton Museum, and not to mention trying out the sundaes there too!!!

Logo Design Competition

Competitive Audit

1. Who are the competitors?
The leading competitors I will be challenging are Mikes Hard Lemonade, Bacardi, Jose Cuervo and Smirnoff.


2. What do their brands stand for?
Their brands communicate that their drink is the life of a party, it's elite, and very popular amongst all the crowds.


3. What markets/audiences do they serve?
Men and women ages 21 and up, and all ethnicities.


4. What advantages do they have?
These branded drinks come in more variations of bottle size, product design, the alcohol percentage it contains and a variety of flavors.


5. What disadvantages do they have?
These drink are not as "fruitful" as what I'm marketing. The taste is a bit more carbonated and dull compared to what I have developed.


6. What are their modes of selling and cultivating clients?
Heavy commercials, billboard displays, and lots of advertisements throughout print media as well too.


7. How do they position themselves?
Each brand positions themselves at being the top-notch for their area of interest. Mikes Hard Lemonade is geared as your summer-friendly drink, while others like Jose Cuervo is for the more higher-income population, the rich and elite.


8. How do they characterized their clients?
In commercials Bacardi features the youthful, partying crowd while Jose Cuervo has older men and women dressed in very formal attire. So I feel they are portraying their customers throughout their advertisements.


9. What are the key messages?
Each message states something about the taste, or living your life up to your expectations.


10. What is their financial condition?
Mikes Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff dont bring as much money in as Jose Cuervo or Bacardi but each company is very well off.


11. How much market do they share?


12. How do they use brand identity to leverage success?
Having pretty, attractive models drinking their products, celebrity promotions at various parties and magazine ads in almost every magazine.


13. What do they look and feel like?
The products are attractive in color, they appear refreshing, smooth bottled and of good quality. Not cheaply designed.

Product and Company Development

1. What is the price range of the product?

The beverage will cost patrons between six and seven dollars with tax included.

2. Who is the market for the product?

The target audience is primarily women age 21 to older women as well. Males too may be highly interested in this fruit cocktail, but a higher buying percentage of women will be making this purchase.

3. Who will buy the product?

Anyone legal to drink. Age 21 and up and all ethnicities are more than welcome to purchase the beverage.

4. What types of color schemes are appropriate for this market?

Typically something brightly colored, flamboyant colors will be good to use to attract the customer's eye from the aisles. Either using dark text on a bright colored background or vice-versa.

5. What type of typography is suitable? What are some possible typefaces?

I think that script typography would be best for this product. Possible leaning towards using "Hardkaze, or Baby Kruff" which can be found on dafont.com or urbanfonts.com. I'm trying to stick with a font that you can associate with the type of drink I'am producing.

6. If the market and the purchaser are different, how can you create a logo that appeals to both?

It would be in your best interest to create something universal-neutral that both genders and ages can appreciate. Meaning your typography and color scheme choices should be geared appropriately.

7. What qualities will the company logo communicate? What words describe your company?

The company logo will communicate that the product is enjoyable, fun, and full of great taste. Words that you can associate with the company would be...one of a kind, global, professional, rising, and innovative.

8. What words describe your product?

Some descriptive words used to describe the product would be the drink is pink-colored, appealing, fruity, sweet, and full-flavored.

9. What are the major strengths of the company?

The company's major strengths are going to be the marketing area. Being able to promote the product heavily amongst college-aged students and many others. This include giving away tshirts at spring break events, or on going events in the community, water bottles with the company logo, and possibly even drinking glasses including the ingredients on the back of the glass. Which are all universal marketing prospects for age and gender related.

10. What are the weaknesses of the company?

Since this is a new company, in the beginning it will be tough to compete with the already established companies. And the fact that this product only has one variation of it, could also be a bit dampening as well.

11. Who are the competitors for this product?

The leading competitors for this product is Mikes Hard Lemonade, Bacardi, Jose Cuervo, and Smirnoff companies.

Logo Designs...

Introducing the mixed-alcoholic beverage "Pink Monkey"... here are a few logo design. I still haven't found the ideal font to use, but I'm sure it will be something along these lines. Please feel free to comment or leave any suggestions. Thanks!!!

The Origins of Information Graphic...

Since the knowledge capacity of humans started to expand, the to need to understand more complex information in simpler ways, was developed. Which information graphics became a new aspect of graphic design in the late 1700s. 


While Rene Descartes was inventing the algebraic expressions in geometry, and drawing two-dimensional planes, which also led to the horizontal and vertical axes being developed (also known as Cartesan coordinates). By repeating these axes, she found they formed a grid, called the Cartesan grid. 


This grid was also later used by William Playfair...


William Playfair was known for converting statistical data into symbolic graphics, which made reading more easier for the population.
Playfair believed that line, bar, and pie charts communicated better than tables of data. In his 1786 publishing of Commercial and Political Atlas, was the first publication which contained visual graphics for the import and export information from different countries. 

Soon later he compared Europe's population between cities and then discovered the divided circle. Creating these charts allowed for easy reading and the understanding of more complex information to be given to the population without uncertainty or question.

Creative Brief *Numero_Uno*

1.  Identification
Titled For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, 1970's poster was designed by Paul Davis.


2. What is the project and the problem?
The project was given to promote a series of poems that were going to be portrayed as a play to the community, that could leave a lasting impression with generations to come. Designer Paul Davis was to create a theme based poster that was intended to be hung around the city to market this specific theatrical performance.


3. Who is the client?
Play-writer, poet, and novelist Ntozake Shange and perhaps the producers of Broadway and directors at Joseph's Papp's Public Theatre were clients looking to market this piece of work. By them hiring Paul Davis to complete the project would project a better turn out for the plays performance and also promoting Shange as a writer as well.


4. Who is the intended audience?
This play was being portrayed to educate women on the varying lifestyles of colored women. The primary audience would not just be for "colored" girls, but for all women of color, and secondary being the community as a whole particularly women ages 18 to late adulthood who may be interested in the struggles and controversy faced daily by colored women.


5. What is the core message?
The poster visually communicates that this will be an urban-like play portraying the lives of colored women. What is not seen in the poster but can be pulled from its design is that, the play is representing all "colored" women, which is why the title is written in the seven colors of the rainbow. 


6. What is the hoped-for outcome?
The poster was designed to influence the woman population on attending this play. The work will promote the author of the playwright as well as the venues where the play was going to be held. This can also help increase sale volumes at "not so popular" venues that were going to be hosting the performance.


7. What is the graphic strategy?
The visual message Paul Davis conveyed was very urban. He uses the large,distressed portrait of the woman upfront for viewers to see mainly grasping the attention of black women passing by. He also approached the project with a lot of emotion, some writing is slanted, some is cursive and other is not. As well as the tiled-subway background and signage which represent where the cultural influences that were going to be in the play may have come from. The client's concerns about being able to outreach to the women population was easily done by Davis choosing to use the rainbow-grafiti like text, to express the seven lives of the women portrayed in the play, each one was of a different "color" and from an urban background.

class discussion

During week one of Art 365 learning the invention of writing was very interesting. The main thing that grasped my attention was the section related to rebus writing, which refers to using pictures and symbols to represent words or syllables with similar  sound as the object that was being portrayed.


I think this was a very creative idea that the early Sumerians steered towards and think they were successful at doing so. I think that by having this type of writing system the early-humans had to expand their minds to figure out which symbols were going to represent each sound. Things like personal names and prepositions were only a few things they stumbled on how to portray in the rebus writing style. 


Even today you can still find rebus writing styles being portrayed... Below are two examples, the first done by the Sumerians and the second, one that you will commonly find amongst our culture today.