n / a

~ communication design at RMIT ~ ~ reflective journal ~

[jasperpelletierrmit]

- Week 7

- i m p r o m t u   m e e t i n g 

after a discussion i had with Abby about the direction of her group at last friday’s session, we decided to have an out of class meeting about the possibility of forming a kind of singular idea that involved both groups notions. As it happened we were able to put together a discussion that involved multiple people from both classes who were mostly involved in location and about the direction of our cohorts and how we might be able to possibly merge our ideas into a direction. 

We all expressed our current scenarios to each other and soon were able to get a rough idea of a possible framework for each group to work off and to take away back to our own groups.

The session as a whole was extremely beneficial. It’s defiantly the case that communication is key in this particular exercise and the more interaction between groups and discussion, the better. At this point we are unclear as to whether this type of meeting will be a weekly occurrence although we invite all groups to come and discuss ideas and brainstorm with students from both classes.

[jasperpelletierrmit]

+ C A S E  S T U D Y 

- Fallen Fruit /

- Members : David Burns, Mathias Viegener, Austin Young

- The current objective of our group within the core studies class is exploring transitional dining and the idea of moving from set location to the next via some sort of way finding resource. The Fallen Fruit collective have created as such a similar scenario though have applied their own principles to the framework.   

Its also interesting to read about the groups decision making process and how they are able to pass ideas and notions. There is no elected governing body or CEO. Instead, ideas are raised by individuals and decisions are passed via a two thirds majority ruling within the group its self. I believe that the same approach can be applied equally as effectively to our own core studies class with the same effect.      

[jasperpelletierrmit]

Break

*please note all posts past this point are in reference to #studio1comdesign 

and #semesteroffood

[jasperpelletierrmit]

F I N A L   O U T C O M E

(sorry about the poor quality)

P R O D U C T

5 page zine/magazine section 

[jasperpelletierrmit]

A S K    M E    A N Y T H I N G

R E F L E C T I O N 

Okay, in all honesty by the end of our previous assesment tumblr had become the bane of my existence. However this is one post that i will enjoy doing. When i originally set my 5 artists in as my go to’s, i tried not to go too high up the ladder just incase i was disapointed with the outcome. I thought long and hard about who the people were that i enjoyed as an artist in all mediums. During this period i also decided that i knew my chosen format for my presentation would be a magazine type of layout given my love of publication. However then i started thinking, how many publications do i know of contact their interviews through email or a message? don’t you think that might come across to the artist or whomever as a little blase? Thats when i thought i might get the best possible outcome by sitting down with the actual person and talking about their practise. And who would this be most achieveable with? My friend Yasin.

Yasin Lef Lef is a native south-melbournian and a talented musician with his roots deep in indie folk and bluesy tunes. He’s also a good mate which made for easy interviewing. We sat down and talked about his music, shows and everything else in between bites of fish taco’s and nachos. Thats when i knew that after recording everything on my phones microphone, that even if i got a response from my first preference, unless they agreed to an over the phone interview i wouldn’t use them for my project. There was something so perfect about the way the words flowed from each question to each topic, that i felt as though in comparison to a simple and straight forward anwser to five questions, no matter how well thought out or researched wouldn’t do the artist or myself any justice.

In the end, i couldn’t be more pleased with my final outcome. I was able to secure some great visual attachments dontated kindly by various photographers from Yas’s shows which really captured his pressence and the essence of his performances. 

Id say that was the most enjoyable project that i’ve completed so far this semester, or this course for that matter. Its really given my some clairvoyance into what i enjoy doing in the school of communication design, and what i might look at doing in the future as a possible career path.

The song attached is an old demo, but still one of my favourites of his. i’d recommend having a listen.

[jasperpelletierrmit]

T U M B L R   R E F L E C T I O N

I feel as though tumblr is something which i still don’t fully understand and that i may never really understand. Thats not to say though that i didn’t enjoy it. I think some of the most interesting experiences you have are discovering a new way to operate something you’ve had for while. Ive never used tumblr before but I've obviously known about it for years. Social networking is such a gigantic part of everyones lives now that i think even for those who had used or had a tumblr before would never have used it in the sense that we did for this class, so thats a positive. 

I must say i was a little disappointed with the rubric when it was given to us by Andy. If i had things the way i would have liked, i would have made a completely individual tumblr that focused mostly on my own work and my own original posts. Whilst i do see the profit in feedback and communicating to other students i feel like perhaps a much more unique profile or even tumblr blog which told a story might have been achieved, and i think others share the same thoughts.

In all however, i liked the experience of creating a tumblr. Having an easily accessible forum to view the work of all the other students was infinitely helpful and i really enjoyed that part. I also like how it allowed both Andy and Bronwyn to give us feedback relatively easily without all the blackboard procedures.  However i don’t really think i’m the type to keep up a healthy tumblr page as I've seen others do, so i think my tumblr days may end here. Cheers.

[evangelineshao12]

When I saw these pictures I must say nothing is impossible, just think! They using shapes and lines or curves to consist chinese characters. Maybe another highlight is the colour. Overlapping effects and gradient effects are very exciting. Because the number of strokes of Chinese characters are too much, so applied to a variety of shapes and lines coupled with unexpected colors. This is really the best way of using the nice shape to combine of Chinese characters. I saw the visuals and at the same time the word has surfaced. This is a good way I’ve learned.

source: weibo.com

[jasperpelletierrmit]

yeah love these, kind of remind me of the graphic styles during the mid nineties and the new graphics quicksilver are putting out. 

[jasperpelletierrmit]

A R T I S T 1

K E L S E Y   B R O O K E S

I’ll be the first to admit, Kelsey mystifies me. As far as individuality goes i doubt i would ever have the pleasure of speaking to a more solitary figure. Kelsey started off his career as a Biochemist. Two words put together that instantly confuse me. I do understand his art though. And his decision to leave the world of science to pursue art is something i whole heartedly back. Kelsey creates intricate and detailed paintings that represent the molecular structure of microbes. yeah, i know. wow. Every brush stroke is calculated and his finesses is amazing. I think to be honest if i ever had the pleasure of speaking to such an interesting person i might be lost for what to say.

A R T I S T 2

B E N   Q U I L T Y  

 Ben on the opposite, is a bro. Ben grew up in rural Australia as, in the most sensitive terms a bogan. Ben’s early work was mostly reflective of stereotypical Australian male culture, rough and ‘blokey’. He is most interesting in that he is able to distinguish himself as part of this culture, though critique it from a 3rd person perspective. His latest work, a series of portraits titled ‘after Afghanistan’ depict returned soldiers. Ben would definitely an interesting interview as he is not part of the typical fine artist genre. Very down to earth and level headed, i would defiantly be excited to have him as my chosen artist.    

A R T I S T  3

T R A V I S    M I L L A R D

I first discovered Travis by his instagram alias ‘theotherfudge’. Travis is an illustrator who works predominantly in pen, though i would thoroughly encourage a visit to his instagram to see his work with pancakes. yeah, you read it correctly. Travis is pretty funny and most of his illustrations seem to take on his sense of humor, something reminiscent of a cartoonist strip in a newspaper. Travis has had a few recent solo exhibitions and recently collaborated with one of my other favourite artists, Michael Sieben in a really cool exhibition event. I love Travis’s simple line work and how he can pretty much make any character to suit his style.  

A R T I S T  4

O T I S   C A R E Y

Otis is a champ. One of my favourite surfers and artists. A powerhouse on the sled, Otis has equal impact on any kind of canvas. With his aboriginal ancestry, most of Otis’s creations reflect the amazing line and dot work of our indigenous peoples. When his not creating dreamtime works, Otis’s illustrations and other paintings reflect his grungy punk aesthetic in the most unique way.

A R T I S T  5

Y A S I N  L E F  L E F

Yas is my mate and a gun muso. A talented guitarist vocalist from port Melbourne, Yas can channel any niche from folky harmonies to shreding licks and full bodied rock. Of lately yas has been playing headline gigs at places like the workers club and other reputable establishments in the city and down the coast. An all round nice guy and mate, i wouldn’t mind having a chat to yas about his music at all.

images sourced

https://au.pinterest.com/

https://www.facebook.com/yasinleflef/?fref=ts

[viciouslyana-blog]

jessica walsh 

I’ve been a big fan of Jessica Walsh for a while now. I admire not only her work but her work ethic and fearless approach. She is definitely someone I look up to.. I mean, she was made partner at Sagmeister & Walsh at the age of 25!!!

Image source: https://www.behance.net/jessicawalsh

christopher doyle

I became aware of Christopher Doyles work when I saw him at the AGIdeas conference in 2011. His work is beautiful + very sophisticated, oh and he once found a piece of nutri-grane that looked like e.t, then sold it for over a thousand dollary-doos. 

Image source: http://christopherdoyle.co/

jack vanzet 

A fellow Melburnian, Jack Vanzet is a musician + creative director + designer + artist. I found him a few years back on Instagram and have been following his work ever since. He has a very distinctive style that is vivid, loud and so pleasing to the eye.

image source: http://www.jackvanzet.com/

[jasperpelletierrmit]

so cool, i love chet and really found the artwork for his ep and album provoking and imaginative. nice to know the name behind the work! 

[sashaaarons-blog]

mondays workshop: creating letters using old magazines

In mondays class we were introduce to M/M Paris and their creation of ‘The Alphabet’. This project used black and white photographs of models, cut out into the first letter of their name. Each letter was carefully cut so that it still followed the lines in the image, yet the letters were still legible. The whole project can be viewed at http://www.mmparis.com/thealphabet/

[Letters from ‘The Alphabet’ by M/M Paris, 2001]

We were then given the task of creating our own letters from old magazine photographs. I tried to stick to more of an abstract approach when cutting out my letters, however it wasn’t as effective as I hoped and they became too illegible. I came to realise how difficult it was, and how clever M/M Paris designers Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag were to create letters which still respect the pure forms in the photograph, but are still recognisable, even out of the context of the alphabet.

Wikipedia. 2016. M/M Paris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M/M_Paris. [Accessed 10 May 2016].

[jasperpelletierrmit]

amazing, i still find these hidden type face activities kind of tricky. that you were able to create such a beautiful composition is incredible.

[sallyfort-h-blog]

B U I L D I N G A T Y P E F A C E

we were set a task to create a typeface from a number of basic shapes… unfortunately i was away for this task and instead had to do it all on my lonesome in my house. i like black, i like pink, i like white, i like circles so that is what i used to create a typeface… of sorts 

[jasperpelletierrmit]

i like everything about this. The composition is awesome and i love the contrast of colours.  Really reflective of all our research into the bowhaus movement. 

[jasperpelletierrmit]

Typography is two dimensional architecture based on experience and imagination, and guided by rules and readability -Hermann Zapf

This is just a really interesting quote when you consider the meanings behind it. Architecture is the complex or carefully designed structure of something. It is almost always refering to the constructions of buildings, civil infastructure, foundations of functioning society. A perfect correlation to the principles of typography. Without type, all design would be irrelevant. Stark, but true. The same as how without functioning architecture, metropolitan areas and cities would be a sprawling jungles of concrete, brick and mortar. The same way in which amazing buildings and structures enrich everyday experience, so too does typography. Its incredible to see how the subtlest change in type can affect a design and change its entire presence. To be a great architect requires all of the above. Experience, imagination and a wealth of knowledge reguarding the principles and rules of construction. One must consider the climate, weather conditions, the features of the land and so many other variables. Any designer can create with typography. But it takes an insightful creative to consider the reverberating effects of type and to make his/her decisions based on this. 

[stephaniewongys-blog]

Artist without paint brush

Hongyi also known by her nickname, ‘Red’, is an artist known for creating pieces using everyday, unconventional materials. She has been creating breathtaking piece of artwork utilising materials which are unconventional compared to other artist.

“Astrawlogy” made of thousands of drinking straws lit up by hundreds of LED light 

Girl made up of roll socks

Mural bear painted with celery sticks

These are some of her recent work. I really admire her talent and courage to step out from her comfort zone and work on her artwork in such an unique way. I am also very curious on how she manage her time on working on huge projects and how she manage to fit all the materials she used without having a rough sketch on her backdrop before she starts working on her art. Hopefully she will reply to my email. 

https://www.instagram.com/redhongyi/

[jasperpelletierrmit]

love the celery stick mural! such a cool concept which works perfectly with the context of the shop, they make great smoothies too 

[jasperpelletierrmit]

  E X P L O R A T I O N 

“G H O S T    T Y P E”

~ almost Every day, i catch the train into the city, put my head phones in and either read, catch up on assignments or watch videos on my phone. what i almost never do is look outside the window and see the world speed past.  almost Everyday i pass the same stops and see the same buildings, until i started to see something different. After all our exercises in working with type faces and looking for structures in buildings ect, i began to discover something awesome. something which i have seen everyday though have never noticed.

The railways of Melbourne (all over the world for that matter) are giant library’s of type faces and letter forms. Ill bet that no matter where you look on any train in the city you will see at least one example of street art / street typography. It occured to me after andy showed us his slide of the defaced bankers advertisement that there is a wealth of typographic design plastered all over the city that seems to go un noticed. 

i don’t claim to know anything of the etiquette of street art but it appears to me that no two works are the same and no two names or tags are the same, And that is something i find fascinating. What is fundamental about street art though is that it is never permanent and new works are constantly overtaking the old, resulting in what i think to be the greatest network of typography in the world, each one seperate though linked through the same cause of adding their mark to the many concrete canvases. Call them vandals, pests, or artists; i believe each person who created these marks, to be individual designers in it’s own sense. 

[jasperpelletierrmit]

W E E K  7

S T U D I O  S E S S I O N 

~ Really cool concept by andy. Interesting how the design was specifically “layered” and how each seperate page affected another. Makes you think how design can reflect through only format and composition.

[jasperpelletierrmit]

// W E E K  7

T U E S D A Y   S T U D I O

R E F L E C T I O N

~ Like Andy mentioned at the beginning of the session, the Tuesday studio group is in a interesting situation in that we can see (via tumblr) the monday groups activities. This allows us the unique perspective to see what the rest of the cohort are doing and gives us an opportunity to observe and contemplate what we might do for our own creative response. It also gives us the opportunity to read the reflections of the other students and to consider their responses before completing our own. 

When presented with the task, our group were given square only shapes and asked to create a full type face. Immediately we recognised the constraints of the rigid and stark profile of the square. It would be hard pressed to find a type face in existence that does not have at least a few curved lines or loops or bowls to make up the letters in that specific design. This forced us to really consider the format and composition of each letter form and to look to elements such as negative space and to take a more representative approach as opposed to a decorative. 

we were neither the less able to create a full set of letterforms with the shapes provided. However perhaps the most interesting part of the session was when andy asked us to mingle other groups shapes or perhaps include a whole new range of shapes into our letterforms. Ill admit that i pretty much rejected the notion instantly. The typeface we had created was singular in that only a single shape had been used and i believed this to be its major attraction. There was something uniform within the typeface and i felt the addition of any other shape would break this. Neither the less we attempted to add a few curves and angles to the letterforms where necessary though i felt that ultimately it interfered with our overall theme. There was something precise in the character of the squares that seemed to be soiled the interference of another shape.

As i said in the beginning, our unique opportunity allows us to review other students responses before writing our own, and i wasn’t until i read the work of another before i realised the obvious connection between the exercise and the school of Bauhaus. To construct and create using simple shapes is an underlying principle of the school and can be seen throughout the history of Bauhaus design and art. I believe that this is where our typeface lies, somewhere between a representation of Bauhaus, and our own organic creation.

source

unknown author, Jul 30, 2013, Bauhaus Influence, viewed 21/ 4 / 16

http://abduzeedo.com/bauhaus-influence

[helloimhungryy-blog]

W   O   R   K   S   H   O   P   :

T W E L F T H  //  A  P  R  I  L

a r c h e - t e x t - u r e 

On a cold yet sunny Tuesday afternoon, we ventured outside the studio and searched the university grounds high and low for typefaces hidden in the buildings. Looking for letters in the most unsuspecting places made me realise how simple and versatile letterforms are. The T for example is very concise and straight and is very obviously a letter T, where as the A appears slightly disfigured. Wonky and disjointed, the cracks in the concrete are imperfect and do not match up. Nevertheless, we are still able to identify these cracks as a letterform. As well looking down and around at smaller details, it was really interesting looking up and using the bright blue sky as negative space to identify letterforms in the cityscape (J and L).

 Working in a group forced us to see letterforms from different perspectives as some where able to find letterforms in places that others did not. I think if everyone completed this task separately, an even more distinct style and personality would have been reflected across typefaces.

I must admit, ever since completing this workshop, my eyes can’t help themselves as I continue to see and create letterforms from my surroundings (especially when sitting at my desk procrastinating!) 

[gemma-bilby-design]

So beautifully photographed, Jaimee! I love the use of angles used to capture letters you would never otherwise see.

[jasperpelletierrmit]

i love your eye with these shots, in some respects it was a tricky exercise and these shots really portray the letterforms in a way that we as the audience can read them.