How text can change the meaning of an image

A photograph or an image always has a story, a meaning. A photographs meaning can change depending on who is looking at the image and we all have different approaches of thinking and visualisation; creating hundreds of possibilities to the meaning of an image. Therefore designers imply an addition of text to give the image a direct meaning for what it is intending to show, creating a form of legibility.

This also makes me think of photography is general, is there any way in which we can tell what someone in that image is thinking, find out what the people are going through, or discover what their situation is like; and to me it is always been an intriguing factor.
A photographer called Jim Goldenberg, has created a series of photographs called rich and poor. His images are not focused as one big bold photograph but have text weaved into them. The text of compelling stories brings so much more emotion and understanding to the photograph as a whole. Also with the hand written text it adds personality and reality to their living; in comparison to computerised text or no text at all. It is clear to say from this that text can change the context in which we are looking at an image, opening it up to the broader picture.

Another artist which has created something similar is Wendy Ewald, she has taken a series of portraiture shots and introduced a line of text. The line of text introduces more emotion and meaning behind the image as a whole; relating the emotion in their eyes, expression on their faces and the body language corresponding to their situation.

In the advertising industry today, designers are creating such abstract, indirect, vibrant imagery it is hard to tell exactly what is being advertised. And with a small addition of text it becomes clearer to the viewer to tell what is being advertised; somewhat making the image legible. Below I have gathered a few examples of camera advertisements which have been using this very abstract, yet intriguing imagery.



1. The image of the eye could refer to a nature programme 2. A documentary  3. A holiday brochure or a pool yet they all are advertising different cameras and presenting their unique features of 1. Image quality 2. Capture speed 3. Use under water

Overall it is clear to say that text can alter the context of an image and can strengthen the meaning of an image; creating new varieties but also direct meanings. Although it is a very simplistic process it can give the image a whole new lease of life!

The 10 Essential Milestones in Graphic Production

The design process is a very tougher process in which all of us designers must go through in order to produce the most effective, professional outcomes for our work. This makes it interesting to look back through time about production and different processes and styles which have come about through the years; as it definitely has effected and enabled the variety art and designs produced over the periods. Creating some of the essential milestones in graphic production.

The history of print and graphic production has gone through thousands of different forms, enabling new, efficient, artistic forms of design to be created. Here are 10 milestones in which I feel have and will be the most influential over the years for my work and for several other designers.

1. The Gutenberg press – a form of flat bed printing press, allowing engraved metal blocks to transfer ink onto a flat bedded media(blocks previously created from wood) This process allowed the first form of rapid mass production and the start of a revolution of printing.

2. Lithography – the process of etching away an image and then being able to transfer the image several times over onto a smooth surface. This process is used today to produce high volumes of design, for thing like posters, newspapaers, packaging etc.

                          

3. Rotary printing press – The use of two rotating cylinders to transfer print onto paper. This process is now called flexography. This method can be used for printing on a variety of medias including plastics; metallic papers etc, but is now mostly used for food packaging.

4. Photographic process – an image forming device of recording a medium, enabling people to create a durable image. Photography has advanced over time from black and white to colour creating so many variations in between only creating more variations for us.

5. Screen printing – a technique of transferring ink through a woven screen and through a stencil underneath, creating blocks of colour around the stencilled image. This technique has been around for thousands of years and has been used by some of the world leading artists (Andy Worehole and Hiroshige)

6. WWW – the world wide web allowing people all over the globe to network and communicate their images and text across to each other and the whole world. As designers this is particularly important milestone for us, to showcase our work as well as have a chance of recruitment.

7. Inkjet printing – Allows images and documentation to be printed out in high quality in our homes and studios. It allows imagery to be printed at a high quality, be professional and be of a sellable quality.

8. Adobe Software – these are programmes which are must knows in the design industry, including Photoshop allowing you to simply manipulate images to creating masterpieces from scratch, InDesign allowing the production of professional design materials(magazines), Illustrator, After Effects several more programmes.  

9. Windows processing system – allows us to create and function some of our most basic, day to day needs on a computer. It enables effective use of the computer system and to enable effective production of documentation and processing.

10. 3D imagery - The latest form of technology, still being developed to enabling the creation and viewing of 3d imagery on a flat surface. It allows the creation of illusion of depth in an image.  This is a very modern process which could revolutionise the graphic milestones from today.

LITHOGRAPHY - a few quick snaps of my works :

I have done this process a few times- by indenting polystyrene, this method is less durable yet still creates a very nice effect.  Especially in b&w it adds that slight rustic feel. The second method is etching into a harder more durable material of lino. It allows you to repeatedly use this lino as well as create detailed and textured images. You can choose to add as much detailing as you would like and overall for very time I have used it, it has proven to be a success and effective piece for my project.

SCREEN PRINTING - a few quick snaps of my works :

A few of my screen print i snapped up for you to see. You can print on a range of materials and create a variety of variations. What I particularly find interesting is the addition of textures and off edges to what may start off with the idea of having a block, matt colour on Photoshop.

‘The experts’ - Stefan Sagmeister

My favourite expert is Stefan Sagmeister, he is a contemporary practitioner working across several medias. Firstly I feel that his ability to work across medias and produce his visuals is what makes his work so powerful, enabling him to produce variety as well and amazing, captivating imagery for us to look at.

His work is captivating to see yet the thought processes is even more intriguing. As his concepts are all very close to life it makes us think about how he done it and what he was thinking about when he created it and thought of it. His images are very explicit and shout to the viewers. He makes us observe different ways of visualising through an extraordinary use of media.

He also ranges his work through graphic design, typography, photography; furniture design etc showing is explosive number of ideas and versatility. He is able to work across platforms, creating very different, bold and inspiring pieces.
Overall I hope one day that I am able to produce and versatile and unique designs as he does; as any designer would be every other designers dream also!

As I have referenced this artist before and find him a strong figure in graphic design I have also been watching some of his presentations. Finding out about his personality and his thought processes which enable him to produce the ideas; create in depth interest into his work. And though this video we can clearly see that his though process is very different to several others and his list making is very inspirational. I recommend people to watch this!!



A collection of his work.



Information Design

Information is passing us by every day, but how much have we taken in and remembered? Being a graphic designers and visual communicators we all have to think about all of the different ways in which we could communicate information to reach different audiences making them enjoyable, effective, and inspirational; overall creating an impact on the audience.

Information design is about creating efficient, effective, understandable and enjoyable pieces of information. It is a non traditional approach, a different visualisation, a way of integrating images and visual design into statistical information or heaps of text.
Information graphics have been around for several years and there are several traditional to more contemporary designs which people have been producing. None the less they are all very beautiful, eyes catching and create efficiency to the information. They allow us to create an instantaneous way of comparing information, and allow us to make immediate responses.

I feel they give greater depth and create broader scope to the initial information. The pleasure given by looking at these images in comparison to a heap of statistics is on another level! Below I have made a collection of a few inspirational designers of information design.



Charles Minard – His flow map of the Napoleon march, showing the number of people from the start to end, in a simplistic graphical way in comparison to it being a table of statistics. One of the first forms of information graphics.



Nicholas Felton – a modern, boundary breaking, approach to information design. I would say he is one of the top designers of information design today -more of his graphics are here: http://www.theloudcloud.com/felton/




A few additional imforation graphics showcasing a variety of designs and interpriations



I have found a few moving motions of visual graphics some common themes as well as some which break boundaries of the traditional information systems. Also able to see how the market and brands today are integrating this practice into their design strategy! It is inspirational to see that graphics like this are produced rather than a mountain to text.





Platform

In today’s industry there are several ways in which platforms are used to intrigue and target various different audiences. Companies now choose to us ‘360 campaigns’ which means the brand is commissioned over a variety of different platforms. Again this is a very similar concept to advertising.

The different commissions can include, online games, animations, video clips for YouTube and android and iphone markets, films, TV shows, etc. They all create different platforms for people of different interests and for people to enjoy different ideologies. For example animations could be created to target a younger audience, so they can to understand and gain interest: broadening the brands market. These different platforms change the way people can interact with the brand and the theme. E.g. a computer game would allow you to get involved and become part of it.

Several of these platforms are played over different variations in time, to create different impacts. 10 minute clips featured on YouTube to intrigue interests. 10 hours across weekly episodes keeping people coming back to watch. 100 hours over season, where it is played every day within a season so people come back each season to see what’s happening, this can then also come out as a box set for people to collect.

As a graphic designer I could come across having to do something like this for a brief so seeing all of the outcomes and developments is truly inspirational. A good example of a subject which works across several platforms to intrigue different viewers is ‘Dr Who’.

They create a wide range of different platforms to entice and fulfil different viewer’s likes and passions. From films, TV shows, animated series, computer games, features on YouTube etc. We can see that they have to very similar imagery and styles across the different platform so the imagery does not go on a complete tangent. This also shows a good use of advertising as the image stays consistent but can work across a variety of platforms: e.g. the TV series is turned into an animation, yet with easily recognisable differences.

Testing

Being designers we constantly need to test our work, to get it out the audience and see what responses are received from them and the only way in which we can do this is by showcasing or work, getting it out there!
There are several ways in which we can test our work to gain feedback: By creating a blog or website allow you to circulate work globally and gain responses/critical commentary from people who look at it. By exhibiting in galleries you are able to see who comes, who is interested etc. By publishing in magazines you are also able to see what responses people give to your advertised image and even gain other clients. By joining creative forums you are able to see what is currently going on and get feedback from other designers which look at it and which are on it also. Through all of these there are also even possibilities of recruitment, allowing you to showcase your talent and work on larger scales.

Not only does testing allow you to see what people think about your own work but also allows you to go ahead and give some feedback on others work, developing our critical skills and making us broaden our critical analysis. It also allows us to see what is going on and what the current styles/ movements/what’s popular right now and even gain some sort of inspiration for our own work.

For example we are able to see a wide range of artists which publish their works online, keeping us updates on their current work, showcasing their commercial, personal, exhibits and even sketch book work. A few personal favourites include:

http://rob-ryan.blogspot.com/           http://www.mikeperrystudio.com/

         

Delivery

The market and canvases for our work to be showcased and delivered throughout the world is endless; creating the most efficient and effective ways of delivery to the intended audiences.

There are thousands of ways in which our designs can be featured: From above the line promotion of T.V commercials, billboards, magazines and cinema etc. To smaller, below the line promotion like, leaflets, banners, flyers, direct mail; none the less any method chosen; being most effective to its intended audience.

Any good piece of design/illustration/photography etc can be changed to work on a variety of platforms, to be delivered in a variety of ways to advertise the style/image.
For example the illustrator Rob Ryan has currently been spreading his work across a myriad of platforms, keeping his style and imagery yet imputing them into a variety of platforms in which his target audience will be interested in and to general just generate interest in his style. Something in which all of us designers should think about doing!

Here is an example of one of my previous pieces of design, as you can see I have adapted the initial design to be able to deliver it on a myriad of platforms. One design delivered using the above the line promotion: on a website and the other below the line:  featuring as a poster in a shopping mall; none the less both working to the best to attract the intended audience.

Above i came across these displays, one for Hello Kitty and the other for Cath Kidson and it is clear to say that the brand style has clearly been established and the ability to deliver the style and the brand over a myriad of platforms is clearly successfull! We can see a consistant theme running across the products and a clear range also, creating something for everyone!

Tone of Voice

Creating a tone of voice is an appropriation of creating the correct, illustration, structure, use of words, style; for a brand/ audience etc. It is an underlying the principle of understanding, it is a concept to support what your trying to say. All designers and creative people must go through this process. Again it is about creating the right tone to suit the audience one which the audience will respond to; yet in keeping with the theme and tone of the product/advert.

Below I have created a few tones of voice thought typography: each creating some sort of experience and showing what the words actually mean.

A good example which I had come across this year which perfectly represents a tone of voice is through these Skoda adverts; they are showing two completely different attributes for each of the Skoda cars, using two completely different tones of voice.
The cake car ‘full of lovely stuff’ made to resemble a homely, safer car for people with families and children. In comparison to the green Skoda ‘made of meaner stuff’ which shows wilder attributes to resemble a sporty more dangerous car. The tone of voice is appropriated on both to target and suit a particular audience. Not only is the tone fulfilled visually but also through the choice of music.

Legibility

Creating something legible in basic terms means to create something readable, visually understandable and able communicate with an audience. Designers, photographers, editors and illustrators are constantly thinking about whether their designs/ creations are legible and portraying in a clear, correct manor for what it means is for. 

Throughout design, legibility is created with the different uses of:
- Typography:  as it changes the tone of what you are saying/showing. Handmade text legible?
- Alignment: as it is different in the different cultures
- Paragraphing: to break down text and makes it easier to read
- Colouring: used to enhance text or areas, can be used to make text shout out, or create a contrast, this is where colour theory comes in.
- Imagery: to break down a page, is it understandable with overlaying text? Distortion/photshoped image legible?

Legibility is not only the design of the overall image but also includes legibility within the media and content in which it has to work within; as several companies now distribute their products and advertising over a variety of platforms; like, mobile apps, leaflets, billboards, t shirt designs, interior design, outdoor signage etc. All of these designs would be created individually to suit its unique interfaces; yet have a consistent legibility throughout.

Some designers which I have come across which have been breaking boundaries of legibility include Neville Brody and David Carson. This is thought their iconic and inspirational designs in the magazine and editorial industry. Although there works break boundaries of legibility they create some informative, thought provoking, cutting edge and very creative iconic designs, which have influenced several people; including me!



Neville Brody's work



David Carsons work

Here I have chosen to show Coca Colas consistent legibility, thought the variety of medias in which they have kept steady throughout its design process; creating a range of successful uses of design, promotion and advertising.

An Audience.... key to a reliable & creative process

An audience is vital for any piece of design, each brief has to create an educated response in order to appeal, intrigue and do its job for the different audiences. The different audience will influence the aesthetic, language, design and approach etc in which a designer would take towards and product, advertisement to entice the audience. The understanding and knowledge of the different audiences will enhance and focus the method communication designers choose to use.

If you were to get one brief and have to create it for two different audiences, both creations would be completely different. Ideas will have to be totally different and  be manipulated around the particular target market, to see what the different ages, races, gender etc will respond to best.
For example designing for younger children you would have to think of ascetics like colours, textures, characters and even the choice of language; to find what is appropriate and entices them. Whereas for an adult you would have to use sophisticated language, interpretations and complex yet thought provoking imagery in order to engage them; in comparison to children’s audience.

Below I have a few examples of different magazines which are aimed at completely different audiences, each using techniques which engage and communicate for their intended audiences; in terms of their design, aesthetics, language etc. Just as any advertisement or product should aim to do.

 As a visual communicator myself I find that this will be a particularly important part of my journey though university and thought my career in the visual communication industry. As I will have to create a variety of different responses to appeal to the targeted market in which any brief is based on.

Researching... key to a reliable & creative process

Researching keeps us in a constant state of curiosity, keeping us excited, creative, intrigued and inspired. Researching is a way of enhancing excitement in your project or day to day lives. It is a way of allowing things to connect with you, connect with your chosen practice and on your brief.
In general researching is essential to problem solving, as we are figuring out and learning new skills, techniques and information. It’s like looking at a painting and finding several different meanings; from the artist’s initial interpretation, your point of view and other people’s points of view and understanding from it.

There are a few different types of research in which we can do as designers:
Primary research – a collection of information which you yourself have gathered, first hand. [A personal interview]
Secondary research - a collection of information which already exists. [Books, internet, magazines etc]
Visual research – your own assortment of day-to-day/ constant drawings, videos, photographs and illustrations.

One good example which came to mind of an artist which used visual research; is Mr. Brainwash, originally known as Thierry Guetta; he had a compulsion of videotaping every moment of his life. Showing us the constant record of everyday life, inspiring him to create art himself as he caught up with some of the world’s leading graffiti designers and documentation of the phenomenon of contemporary street art.
You can find out more about him and what he did through the film; ‘Exit through a gift shop’, a movie which I recommend for everyone to watch!!!! --

Not only does research mean, looking online, into books, magazines, watching the news and jotting down designs and sketches but means researching and experimenting with different medias. E.g. Photoshop, photography, screen printing, using spray cans etc.

I have found by using very different medias it such as screen printing in comparison to Photoshop creates a whole new effect to an image, allowing us to create very different visuals, as well as expanding our capabilities.

In this project ‘to intrigue people into Birmingham’; so far I have used photography, film photography, illustration screen printing and mono printing allowing me to create a variety of different styles and outcomes. Some of which I will upload …



Bricolage & its use in Contemporary Culture:

Bricolage is a concept of construction from a range of things available to us, the creation of a visual from a variety of mediums.  

50 years about this would have meant the conjunction of photography, pencils, paint, pastels combined to create a visual. If we look at the way it is used in contemporary culture it means using computer software to re-touch, combine and manipulate images to create a visual. Both methods working so well that they question whether the image we are looking at is real or not.

This in a sense bricolage can be done with almost anything from art, advertisings to poetry and writing; combining things together. It again makes us question who’s and what is the original? Exemplifying my views of nothing being original and that everything comes from a source, a context; whether it be from an artist or piece of design etc.

A good example of this in a historical context would be Elsie Wright - Cottingley Fairies. This image caused a huge impact during 1917, questioning the reality of fairies and mythological creature; when this image was simply created with some sort of collage, pencil drawings.

In today’s contemporary culture there are several images produced which use this medium of bricolage to create new and innovative visuals seen today. Making us question the reality of what really does happen. I feel that this car advertisement is a perfect example of visuals today!

Notions Of Originality:

Notions of originality are key concepts in art and design but also questionings for several other of our day to day things: from books, business, electricity, poems, to furniture etc. Making people still question what is original? For an idea to be truly original its has to be born from nothing! Yet no matter how unique a concept may seem it has had to be sourced from somewhere, it has been inspired by something or someone!

This notion has been questioned throughout history, from artists following techniques, recreating and reanalysing masterpieces to create similar pieces but from their points of view. We today also are constantly looking back through history for something or a technique to inspire us.

To me nothing is original; there may be unique styles out there but everything comes from a source of inspiration; from being influenced by the environment, culture and history which is surrounding us.

Lets take an example: The great graffiti artist Banksy’s ‘rat’, has thought have been inspired [stolen as some may say] from the French artist Blek Le Rat. There is a whole documentary which features and questions aspects within Banksy’s graffiti revealing this ‘source of inspiration’.                    http://www.channel4.com/programmes/graffiti-wars

There are also several other pieces of advertising in which I have come across which I feel have has some ‘inspiration’ for there advertising, questioning originality:

Charles Allan Gilbert - All is vanity & Vincent Peters -  Dior advertisement.

Although this advertisement clearly uses a huge concept within Gilberts art I feel, that’s what makes the concept of using the idea in the Dior poison perfume advertisement even better and inspirational for those who know about the original piece.

Hokusai – the great Wave of Kanagawa & Ashanti Beer Advertisement

Again we can clearly see that the concept of this advertisement was inspired by Hokusai, questioning originality of advertisements created today!? As we are all told to create a unique style and push the boundaries for our own work, yet these ‘copied’ [as some may say] advertisements are so inspiring, well known and successful by using this technique!!! Could we use this as a technique ?

Developing fluency into ideas..

Developing fluency into ideas is creating a range of ideas, then re-assigning them into sub categories, allowing you to observe another range of ideas. This broadens our thinking process and gives us a broader field in which to choose from the main theme. Some ways in which people can use to expand on ideas is by brainstorming, mind mapping, sketching etc.

Here are a few of my brainstorms which I have created over the past few years. They are very different from each other. Some consist of visual notations and others consist largely on written brainstorms. Yet they, are also different as some are written by hand, some with little visuals, and others are created on the computer; some consist of a variety of bright colouring, others being black and white; all creating very different impacts yet still generate more information for my main project headings.

A good example of fluency in ideas would be any character design, for example the famous Walt Disney’s Mickey mouse character, there are a variety of different variations of Mickey mouse with ranges of emotions, movements, posture, gestures etc, yet all interlinked. All designs going through a range of thinking processes and holding unique features.

More images here: http://marciodisneyillusionoflife.blogspot.com/2011/08/mickey-mouse-sketches.html

There are also other illustrators which develop fluency into ideas, in terms of having their own language, a unique style yet keeping consistent and apply a different message into each of their pieces; creating new visuals. They stimulate different possibilities from one starting point.

For example: Oscar Wilson, a very famous illustrator creating a unique and iconic fluency to his illustrations. They all are approached with the same strategic style yet all create such stunning textual illustrations for his commissioned and private works. His speciality is hand crafted typographical approaches of creating an image, very informative and pleasing to the eye. He has a consistent style; yet inspiration allows him to create innovative new images

View more of his works a : http://www.studiooscar.com/docs/work.php