Monday, 25 October 2010

PART 1 - CONNECTIVITY

Notions of originality

Where do we draw the line when stealing someone's ideas?

Key Principles
Notions of Originality
Can recontextualised ideas be contemporary.


From a very young age we are taught how to observe and imitate artists throughout history, especially during our school education. We learn t do this by recreating the works and practises of artists who inspire and us and enable us to develop a personal style of our own.

In order to find any piece of historic art work that we could truly call original we would have to research back centuries; back to the time when the idea was fresh and new.



Lucas Cranach - Adam and Eve – c.1520’s

I have decided to use this image as an example of the notions of originality. The piece consists of Adam, Eve in the garden of Eden; the atmosphere of this piece is extremely calm and peaceful and I believe that this piece could be used to tell a story. This image has been recreated and modernized throughout the years but I believe that this may actually be the original. The calm atmosphere of this piece is quite inviting and encourages you to relax.





This is a image of the front cover of a magazine with a re-contextualised version of the above image. The colours are a lot more vibrant and eye catching to draw the viewer into the image and invite them to read the rest of the magazine. Even though the original image features animals around the figures of Adam and Eve, the magazine cover looks a lot more crowded. There is definitely a lot going on in this piece, I think that the atmosphere of this image is quite lively; even though the pose used is similar to the original image; there is a sense of movement or activity behind the camera.






Can Re-Contextualised Ideas be Contemporary?

I believe that re contextualised ideas can indeed be contemporary; depending on which medium is used so that connects it to today's society and culture.
Over the years, our technology has developed dramatically into a extremely powerful force. Technology is the new tool which allows us to push the boundaries of re-contextualised ideas.



Fashion is a form of art, trends go in and out of fashion, and most of the time they are re-visited throughout different generations and times, For example, Pop art, inspired by Andy Warhol is used again and again in many advertisements and works of art. Most modern designers re-vamp these sort of styles and use the inspiration to create their own personal style that they use to create a name for themselves in the advertising industry.

PART 1 - ITAP Lecture 3 Colette

>Key Principles

Legibility

- Legibility
- Visual Hierarchy


There are actually two types of type.

Text Type is designed to be legible and readable across a variety of sizes.

Display Type is designed to attract attention and pull the reader into the text. It can be more elaborate, imaginative, and have a stylish look.

Is the type on you have chosen legible?
Is it readable?
Do people have difficulty understanding your type?




I have inserted the image above as an example of illegible text; I found these newspaper articles by using the google search engine. I think that the text is illegible because the type face is an inappropriate size which makes is quite difficult to decipher and understand. The layout has been created to look very compact which could make the reader quite frustrated.
Most newspaper articles choose to stick to black and white colour because it is the most common and a well known combination. However, in this case, the black and white colour only adds to the reader's confusion, the letters look very jumbled together.




The above image shows an article that I consider to be legible because it is clear and easy to read. The article has been put together with the reader in mind, it even includes an image that provides visual stimulation that would encourage the viewer to read on. The bold type face immediately draws the reader into the article; as does the image used. I believe that all of the aspects of this article is indeed appropriate for the intended purpose.



Visual Hierarchy

The examples used above lead me to my second key point in this blog; Visual Hierarchy simply means what we do and see first. Visual Hierarchy, what is in the background of the piece and the foreground as well as focusing on the main subject of the piece.
Below I have inserted an example of Visual Hierarchy.



Vogue magazine covers are an excellent example of Visual Hierarchy because the readers attention is drawn; first and foremost to the image of Penelope Cruz, against the white background she almost jumps off the page to catch the viewers attention. The type face on this cover is very bold and eventually captures the readers attention, the cover looks very lively and I believe that it aims to target a young audience of mainly woman and teenagers and fashion figures.

Sunday, 24 October 2010

PART 1 -Research and Development from an Illustration perspective

Five key principles

Research: Through the ‘visual practice’ of observation, collecting, studying and exploring, illustration can contribute to a deeper understanding of the subject.

Practise: By understanding the various ‘practices of illustration’ one is able to progress and advance one’s own practice.

Inspiration: The notion of ‘inspiration’ derives from constant inquiry, based on research, observation, recording and experimentation.

Visual Vocabulary: The application and evaluation of drawing and media experimentation is key to the development of a ‘personal’ Visual Vocabulary.

Audience: An understanding and knowledge of ‘an audience’ can enhance and focus the communication.

The two key points I have decided to develop further are audience and research.

Research:

The two types of research are primary and secondary research.

Primary research (also called field research) involves the collection of data that does not already exist, which is research to collect original data. Primary Research is often undertaken after the researcher has gained some insight into the issue by collecting secondary data.

Secondary research (also known as desk research) involves the summary, collation and/or synthesis of existing research rather than primary research, where data is collected from, for example, research subjects or experiments


The main thing I learnt in this lecture is that research is continuous, it never stops. In order to further develop your personal style you must always observe what other artists and designers are creating, and you must also always remember to research what has already been done.

One of the main things to gain from collecting research is inspiration in others works, as well as ideas that help you develop your own imagination and a knowledge of past artists and your peers/ role models.
Everyone who pursues a career in art understands that most jobs target a specific audience and it is always important to create the right style of advert that relates to your audience.

Audience:

An excellent example of this sort of advertising is the different types of campaigns to stop smoking. These advertisements are usually very graphic; designed to grab the viewers attention immediately.

Mothers to be and mothers with young children:





For example, the NHS has created several advertisements to encourage people to stop smoking. Above I have inserted two advertisements designed to stop mothers smoking while pregnant and around their children. As you can see these advertisements are enough to shock anyone into quitting smoking. Most women who smoke while their pregnant do not believe that they are damaging their unborn child, the aim of this advert was to inform pregnant woman of the harm they are causing. The advertisement of the upset child breathing out smoke is especially disturbing, The fact that the child clearly looks distressed is quite unnerving, I believe that enough though these advertisements are upsetting; they are certainly very effective.

I decided to research more NHS smoking advertisements because I believe that they are the best example of working towards a specific target audience.

Men:




I believe that the NHS understand how to create advertisements that would shock the viewer into making a change to better their selves. I also believe that our technology will continue to advance and develop and allow us to create new methods and ways to target specific audiences in different and interesting way of advertising using different mediums.