claudia's reflective journal

s3785231

[gridsandblankspaces]

Sunday 7 June 2020

Communication Design Studies reflection

Like the recent Image and Identity assignment, the Communication Design Studies assignment has been really enjoyable due to the amount of creative freedom we were allowed. I had been thinking about the need for an interesting composition and colour palette ever since we attended the Melbourne Zine Fair at the NGV(I) at the start of the semester. The need for an interesting composition of each page was also reinforced in most classes, more specifically the class where Ben told us to rearrange text and a photograph to a more unique layout.

Thus, I merged both my interest for an interesting layout with Saul Bass’ visual and textual style to create my 12-page zine. It took a long time to arrange all of the smaller visual elements and write the answers in a Bass-New York Bronx style. But after a lot of manipulation and constant confinement, I am really proud of the final product.

I didn’t want to utilise the entire 16-page zine spread and spread out the question-and-answer text too far, as the reader would likely be tired halfway through. Thus, I used 12 pages as this allowed for a title page, pages with a full-portrait photograph of Bass, question and answer pages spread out enough, and a back cover that corresponds with the title page to create a sense of unity. The red and orange colour palette derived from Bass’ more popular film posters, such as Saint Joan (1957), Vertigo (1958) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959), seen in my Zine.

Reflecting on the Semester One Communication Design Studies class, I am extremely grateful to Ben, Andy and Karen for leading such an interesting class that provides enjoyable classes and lectures. If I were to do anything differently, I would make more notes in the virtual classrooms to avoid missing important information!

Claudia signing off! :)

[gridsandblankspaces]

Sunday 7 June 2020

Colour and Information Design reflection

This recent assignment has probably been the least enjoyable one so far. This is because (in my opinion!) there wasn’t a lot of room to be creative and do things outside the box. As we were just subtracting elements from the previous animation and following videos provided on Canvas, I was really unmotivated to complete work to a higher standard. If I were to do anything different from the last assignment, I would try to participate more vocally in the online classes and read the class summaries before each session so I know what to expect when completing tasks. 

Although, I really enjoyed the theory-based classes we were presented with. I think the knowledge on colour theory and types of files will be super helpful in the working design field and I will definitely be keeping the notes I collated for a while.

Looking back at the Colour and Information course in Semester One, I am super grateful for all the technical information and knowledge that I’ve learnt and will be taking my teacher’s advice on visual balance into other design projects.

[gridsandblankspaces]

Saturday 6 June 2020 Image and Identity reflection

This has truly been the assignment I was waiting for (in no offence to the other assignments)! I loved that we could choose our own potent topic and take the reins of the design process and overall aesthetic. Although I was really confused in the initial Collaborate Ultra virtual classroom when we were given the brief, the more times I read over the brief I started to understand the freedom we were given. I initially wanted to explore Political Corruption as I listen to a lot of podcasts and read many articles on American Politics and it’s injustice, yet I later realised that the topic was too broad, thus moved to the ‘Sexism within Power Structures’ topic. These power structures mainly include the Catholic Church, Politics and Hollywood. 

I put in a lot of research towards the topic to respect the topic and the victims of the crime, mainly through YouTube documentaries, Netflix shows and Podcasts. This enabled me to easily gain information through a medium that I enjoyed.

Following research and completing a case study, I started to generate designs and ideas through rough brainstorming and experimental sketches. I ended up with two media applications, being a poster and a website that banks a network of information informing people on the injustices of power structures, providing healing resources and giving readers the ability to donate money towards campaigns that battle the same issue.

Looking back on both this assignment and the Semester One classes of the mage and Identity course, I have found it the most rewarding in terms of creative freedom and learning about the design industry (beyond Uni). Although the most content heavy, I have really enjoyed the Specialist Sessions as well due to the amount of information and context the teachers provide!

[woshibai]

Hole

[gridsandblankspaces]

Love the simplicity of this work and the utilisation of the line element of design. Super minimal yet still communicates the idea of feeling incomplete etc.

[architecturalmodels]

[gridsandblankspaces]

Tuesday 26 May 2020

In this week’s lecture, ‘what’s next for design’ is explored. I found the use of parametric design, like the photo above, really interesting to hear about. I wasn’t aware of this type of ‘geometric’ type of design and how far it stretched across lots of corporate brands and logos.

For example, logos such as Pepsi apply this type of design and separate all of its elements electronically and computers can follow them to create a variation for their brand. This ‘computational parametric design’ as Andy called it allows variable logos to be presented with ease.

The idea of computer-generated design compared to human-generated design is such a modern idea and would have endless possibilities for the future, especially living with people like Elon Musk who is advocating for Artificial Intelligence, etc.

Karen also mentioned that we might be able to swap our completed zines in week 13 which would be really exciting! Although it adds pressure to make my final work better, I would love to see how everyone has arranged their information in varying ways.

[surra-de-bunda]

United Colors of Benetton (Vibe Magazine, 1992 - Premiere Issue)

[gridsandblankspaces]

Tuesday 26 May 2020

In the week 10 Communication Design lecture presentation, Andy and Karen discussed ‘why we design’ and the ‘art and design activisms’. I found the exploration of different symbols and publications that influenced the design and specific movements really interesting in this lecture.

Particularly the ‘United Colors of Benetton’ magazine (1992). Andy discussed the art director Tibor Kalman’s influence and his want to ‘leverage the power of the media’ to raise awareness for different causes, such as the AIDS crisis or racism, etc.

As seen in the above issue, the theme of race and/or skin-color discrimination is explored. It is this contrast from fashion and clean-cut magazine topics that likely either drew people into the magazine or lessened the magazine’s appeal.

But either way, the magazine allowed people to grapple a strong response, subsequently informing them on these harsh, yet important topics. It really made me think and reflect on the positive work that design can provide, and what conversations it can open up in today’s society.

[evangeltosky]

[gridsandblankspaces]

Monday 25 May 2020

In today’s Communication Design tutorial, we focused on the relationship between text and photographs/graphics. We were initially given an example template with body text, a black and white photograph, and a page number. We were then instructed to create multiple variations, enhancing the photograph as the focus of the page (without just making the text smaller and the photo larger).

While I was creating these variations, I couldn’t help but draw connections to classic rave/alternative EDM gig posters (such as the one above). I realized that these posters typically enhanced alternative graphics and used text as a back-up source of information. In other words, the text is more of an after-thought. I thought this could be a really cool approach for my digital zine on Saul Bass; as he focused more on illustrated graphics and composition more than the textual content.

I will be looking into more alternative posters and layout designs to influence my zine layout in the near future!

[amoredistractedworld]

[gridsandblankspaces]

As previously discussed, I am super interested in The 1975′s varying visual aesthetics and their manipulation of grids and multiple design movements in their different eras of albums.

This also heavily relates to the CommDesign lecture seminars as Andy and Karen often reference Futurism design and the importance of evolving design that pushes boundaries of what people are used to, which I definitely think these posters do.

[kaeghoro]

wabi sabi drawing / roam cycle

210 x 297 mm

[gridsandblankspaces]

An abstract-like depiction of the Wabi-Sabi movement. 

I would really like to take this use of illustration to my Image and Identity course work when sketching out ideas for my design prototypes. As I really like the contrast of the simple lines and rough smudging of pastel/a charcoal-like material.

[reckless-driver]

// the 1975 //

notes on a conditional form (may 22, 2020)

[gridsandblankspaces]

Monday 25 May 2020

I am OBSESSED with the constant changing and variation of The 1975′s visual aesthetic. Although this promotional poster was created by a fan of the band, each album’s visual outlook allows for such a distinctive and identifiable look.

For example, their most recent album ‘Notes On A Conditional Form’ has a super simplistic, grid-like composition. The frontman Matty Healy said in an interview that him and his design team were influenced by the Japanse Wabi-Sabi design movement.

I have been doing some research on this movement, which is primarily focused on making the ‘imperfections perfect’ and visually appealing. I will be reblogging some Wabi-Sabi content for future reference!

I have decided to discuss The 1975′s evolving visual character as I find their adaptability to their changing music and the world really inspirational. It helps me to think that my personal design style can have a baseline, yet can always be evolving.

I also think that this poster relates to the recent Communication Design lecture content on futurism and the use of the grid!

[gridsandblankspaces]

Tuesday 12 May 2020

In today’s Image and Identity Specialist Class, we were asked to present last week’s homework task. We were asked to collate photographs of things that inspire me and my creative process. I chose to include my friends, film and New Zealand (where I’m from).

Next, I created an A3 poster with the most visually interesting inspirational content. I decided to choose film as I am constantly watching and experiencing movies as I work at a cinema. Their individual colour palettes also provide variety within the poster. I included my four top favourite films, as listed in order:

1. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)

2. Moonlight (2016)

3. Beautiful Boy (2018)

4. Interstellar (2014)

I have really enjoyed the ‘Inspiring Ideation’ specialist session as it has allowed me to relate my University work directly with my own personal life.

[tribeca]

“Design is thinking made visible.”

Today is the birthday of the late, great genius Saul Bass, who created some of cinema’s most evocative title sequences. Here are some of his best title cards for Michael Anderson’s Around the World in 80 Days (1956), Martin Ritt’s Edge of the City (1957), Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958), Otto Preminger’s Anatomy of a Murder (1959), Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959), Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus (1960), Jack Garfein’s Something Wild (1961), John Frankenheimer’s Seconds (1966), and Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence (1993). 💗

[rudygodinez]

Saul Bass, Title Sequence to “Vertigo”, (1958)

[thoughtkick]

I want to make beautiful things,      even if nobody cares.

Saul Bass (via thoughtkick)

[weirdlandtv]

Title sequence designs by Saul and Elaine Bass.

[gridsandblankspaces]

I’ve been looking into Saul Bass’ work for aesthetic inspiration for my Communication Design Studies digital zine design. I love his use of red and contrasting colours that matches the film’s themes.

[gridsandblankspaces]

Monday 11 May 2020

Looking through my Uni files on my desktop, I had forgotten to upload my edited, ‘meme-ified’ poster for the first Communication Design Studies assignment!

I pretty much just maxed out every effect on Photoshop (including brightness, contrast, saturation etc.) until I was happy with the final poster. I thought it was important for the audience to still be able to read the ‘How can design change the world?’ sentence as that is generally the most basic function of a poster.

[gridsandblankspaces]

Monday 11 May 2020

During today’s Communication Design Studies tutorial, we were instructed to create a collage addressing a topic. I decided to choose elements of mixed media and juxtaposition to create my collage (as pictured above).

Due to the boredom most people are feeling at home, I, like many others have been spending a lot of time on Social Media (particularly Instagram). And as everyone knows, the stereotypical supermodel and diet industry creeps its way into everyones heads. Thus, I decided to place Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid’s heads onto slim, Barbie-doll figures to represent that a body is just a body. And that we are all the same underneath.

I have also been listening to a lot of Tame Impala’s music recently so I decided to insert some of their synthy-graphics and warp them to enhance the topical elements I had chosen.