Exploratory Week: Graphic Design

An interesting article...

ARTICLE: 10 Tips Successful Design Business

The headline ready grabbed my attention, as I am planning to start my own business when I have a few years PQE under my design belt.

It gives a high-level bullet points on what you should consider when setting up your Design business.  For me, the ideas on creative pricing, marketing yourself effectively and considering a business partner, were things I hadn't thought too deeply about yet; but I will definitely keep in mind for when the time comes...

The London Design Museum

Typeface firm Dalton Maag won the Graphics category at the Designs of the Year 2012 for their design for Nokia, "Nokia Pure".

VIDEO: Judge Mason Wells on Nokia Pure

Creative and Managing Director, Bruno Maag created the design for Nokia in 2011, which was initially unveiled at the “Nokia Pure Exhibition”.  Personally, I find the font very easy to read, while still looking "grown-up" and contemporary.

Stefan Sagmeister (1962-)

The work is created out of 2500 paper coffee cups and symbolises the pure caffeine design students are often running on.

I was intrigued by this piece as I really like large scale Art and Design and am fascinated by how things like this are put together, and over how long, how much planning has gone into it; plus, I can relate to the concept, which I'm sure will become more apparent over the coming years!

Wim Crouwel (1928-)

New Alphabet



Created in 1967, this typeface understandably caused quite a stir and was deemed too experimental for the time; if it were to be created now, I feel sure it would be recieved very differently.  The design almost completely changes the look of some letters, while others are easily recognisable; and appears lower-case (when intending upper), but there are no lower case alternatives like with many typefaces.  It really intrigues me, leading me to decipher what my name and other familiar words would look like; but trying to read a few paragraphs of this typeface would definitely make my head hurt...

Alan Fletcher (1931-2006)

I've always admired the branding of the Victoria and Albert Museum, but had no idea that Alan Fletcher designed it.  It's iconic timelessness fuses elegance with stability and is instantly recognisable, thus quietly boasting its effectiveness.

Kris Sowersby (1981-)

This (largely) illustrative typography reminds me of a few things within a short space of time.  Firstly, I see bandages, then wooden boards or planks; both, bringing meaning from the word itself.. the bandages representing the fragility of love and the boards signifying it's repair, or possibly "treading carefully".  Then I think of bands of hair; which for me, is little to do with love, other than the story of Rapunzel.  Lastly it reminds me of bamboo-type leaves, but it's only now I notice the shoot-like lines sprouting from each letter, this meaning how love can grow..  Maybe I'm thinking too deeply into this design, but its for all these things that I like it, a lot.

Noma Bar (1973-)

     

I love these illustrations from Noma's "Guess Who" series.  Like many of his designs, they make me laugh out loud; I think it's amazing when someones Art or Design can make their audience do this.  The images above being the more obviously identifiable of the icons she uses (Albert Einstein, Jamie Oliver and David Beckham), like the rest of the series, contain a smaller image or object which links them to the icon in a quirky way.

Thoughts on my introduction to Graphic Design..

I've definitely become more aware of Design since starting college.  The more weeks going by, the more I am aware of different aspects of design, in particular since the 3D and Graphic Design exploratory weeks.  I am looking more closely at layout, colour and type, especially when it comes to magazines.  Now, instead of seeing something and thinking, that's cool, I'm now analysing WHY I like it, and what makes it appealing (or not!).

I have a general interest in most Graphic Design principles; but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be typography.  I think this is largely to to my inner-geek, preferring a neatness and order to things; like the way a new typeface is presented.

I found the guest speaker, Jesse Boyce (Founder and Creative Director at Lethal) particularly inspiring and motivational.  His range of work, entrepreneurialism and extensive client list, was impressive to say the least for someone in his 30's.  If I can be as creative and successful as him one day, I'll be a very happy girl.