Rationale

The aims/objectives of this project were to:

• Broaden cultural experience/understanding
• Be inspired and influenced by others work/achievements
• Become informed about cultural/political/social/economic issues
• Develop a professional approach/attitude
• Support research for Dissertation/Final project

This blog has provided me with an opportunity to investigate a wide variety of cultural topics. During the past four months I have managed to fulfill the objectives of the brief by broadening my experience and cultural understanding through design, architecture, books, exhibits, art pieces and websites. I have gained a significant amount of inspiration in the process, which should benefit me with research for my dissertation and independent project.

In this project I have discovered a number of new interests including modern architecture. I began my blog by questioning architecture and was critical about the judgement of recent architecture. I critically analysed public perception and questioned form and function (the fundamental elements in architecture). I was inspired by the Brutalist movement and by the sensitivity to people’s opinions many architects such as Renzo Piano consider when creating their designs.

Through my blog I repeatedly came across issues that are prevalent in society. Most of the films I watched, and the books I read dealt with ethics and morality. This fulfilled my objective of becoming more informed about cultural and social issues. I critical analysed the book White Teeth that explored sub-cultural issues in 20^th century Britain and I questioned whether they were still relevant today. Similarly the film ‘The Hours’ looked at feminism throughout different decades and provided me with an insight into a topic that I was unfamiliar with previously.

I have analysed a number of different films from different perspectives. I looked at the cinematography associated with ‘A Series Of Unfortunate Events’ and ‘Pans Labyrinth’ and the art direction of the producers. In addition I have provided analysis to the films ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Rabbit’ which contained interesting views on modern society; dealing with issues of greed and questions concerning modern society.

Developing social awareness was not the only aim of this project. I was deeply inspired and influenced by the work of other designers. I recently looked at the work of Vince Frost and looked at his process of design, which often involves looking at the essence of a brand, or creating a brand for something. Since starting this project I have become interested in ambient media and the use of viral marketing. As a result I have also analysed the effectiveness of this use of media, and concluded that if the concept is successful the approach and media used can further this success.

I spent the beginning of the summer in America, as the result of taking part in a study abroad. This provided me with an opportunity to broaden my horizons in regards to a different culture. Whilst I was there, I visited the cities of Chicago and Milwaukee, which are rich in culture and design. The Milwaukee Art Museum provided an interesting insight into architecture and modern American art. In Chicago I witnessed a wide variety of modern architecture, art and design. This allowed me to see things from an American perspective, which was my primary reason for the visit. I learnt about the consideration that is put into general design and what responses it intends to evoke from the audience.

The summer project also provided me with the opportunity to study an area that I have had a previous interest in: the World Wide Web. Each website that I featured in my blog was driven by a primary concept. I was particularly interested and inspired by the websites that had promoted some sort of ethical message and utilised the technology with an interesting concept. The driver safety banner and the sexually transmitted disease viral emails had both been incredibly successful in their respective countries, and demonstrated how modern technology could be utilised to drive a design concept.

Museums and exhibits became another area that I became more familiar with during this project. The museums and exhibits I visited were hugely varied in content, ranging from Russian art to Victorian medical collections. Although it may appear to some to be an unfocused approach, I think it helped me fulfill the criteria for the brief. I have become more informed about cultural, political, social and economic issues as a result.

In reflection of the past four months, I have been able to look at a wide variety of sources and media and evaluate how significant and informative they are in regards to providing an insight into cultural trends. It may be argued by some that books provide the greatest source of information in regards to modern culture. Through this project I have definitely found the information I read to have great significance, however I think every medium I have explored has provided me with a new insight from a different perspective. In a world of new technologies and communication, I think it is fair to say the way we source and critique information has changed.

In my blog I previously discussed the issues that were consistent in each source. The most prevalent of issues appeared to be roles in society and stereotypes. These issues commonly arose in the books I read and the films I saw, however they were also apparent in architectural styles and art pieces (e.g. the later futurist stance which became associated with oppression). These issues are ones that are common when considering a design brief and are important to consider in day-to-day life. Through the sources I have read and viewed, I have developed a deeper understanding of common perceptions, cultural trends and social issues.

To evaluate, I have been highly stimulated by the knowledge I have gained over the summer, as a result I intend to further my knowledge on the topics I have discussed previously, as a result this should have an impact in my future solutions to design problems. By applying the knowledge and experience I have gained over the summer and I intend to gain in the future my approach to design should become more professional and more creative.

Expo Leeds

Whilst walking through Millennium Square in the centre of Leeds today I noticed the usual BBC screen was no longer displaying the usual news and weather. Instead, on display was an image showing a reflection of Millennium Square. As I walked past I could see myself with circles and shapes surrounding me, in addition ambient noises were playing simultaneously.

According to the Leeds Expo Festival website, it is the UK’s largest Free festival of sound art and experimental music.

The installation that I experienced in Millennium Square was commissioned to artist Tom Betts and was called ‘Untitled Application’. More about the installation can be found here.

Interactive installations are often enjoyed by the public, having an element in a piece that people can play with is always an added benefit and something to consider, especially when designing ambient media.

Vince Frost

Frost is a British graphic designer based in Australia and the UK. He has won a number of awards including a gold D&AD. He is famous for working with large clients and his creativity and originality is an inspiration.

In an interview with Computer Arts magazine (click here), Frost states “Nike and Apple are design companies. In terms of identity we all have a brand, a unique point of difference.” When you look at the work of Vince Frost it can be said that it has an essence of his client and Frost himself.

This was a piece he designed for the Sydney Dance Company, which cleverly merged ‘Sydney’ and ‘Dance’ in type.

Frost is consistent when promoting his own identity. He uses the same type when promoting himself and sometimes plays with words (e.g. one of his shows was titled frost bite*).

Viral email text effects

Designers have to constantly adapt to changes and innovations in technology, but sometimes designers also have to adapt to limitations in technology.

The creative agency G2 direct & Digital recently won an award for a safe sex campaign. The campaign was conducted through email. The only problem with this medium was that a lot of email programs did not accept HTML (although this is becoming a minority). As a result the agency designed a piece that could be viewed with a clever text effect (see below).

See the email for yourself:

-Men interested in women click here.

-Women interested in men click here.

-Men interested in men click here.

What I found interesting about this campaign was its ability to use a media within its limitations and still create an element of surprise.

White Teeth

I was initially attracted to reading this book because it was written about life in the area I grew up in (although in a different decade).

The book follows the life of two war veterans whose lives and eventual families are intertwined. The book explores issues associated with multiculturalism and the identity problems experienced by second-generation people.

I think this book is very relevant in 21^st century Britain. It provides a great insight into the social issues experienced across race, sex, culture and religion. The book is somewhat autobiographical of Zadie Smith’s life in Willesden, North-West London.

Looking at the book critically, it may be said that the issues raised by the book were more prevalent in the 1970s (when the story was set), however I think the issues in the book have more prevalence in 21^st century Britain where multiculturalism versus unity are being questioned.

Although not a design book, I think it is relevant for designers because we come across a similar range of sensitive issues that we must be aware of.

The Tube Map

There is no doubt that the tube map is a design classic. This week it was redesigned (partly) and the river Thames was omitted from the design to huge public and political outcry. The river-less map can be found here.

When the map was initially designed, Harry Beck removed all superfluous information including geography. The 1908 map (at the bottom of the post) was the first tube map and took geography into consideration. Beck designed the first diagrammatic map in 1931, it was said to be inspired by electric circuit diagrams.

Despite lacking nearly all geographical features, the tube map has always maintained London's river. So when TfL (Transport for London) decided to omit the river there was a backlash. Note the following articles:

-BBC- Mayor orders Thames back on maps.

-The London Paper.

-The Guardian- Where has my beloved Thames gone?

This reminds us that people appreciate clarity and information laid out clearly, however they also have sentimental connections, which is an important thing to note in design.

The 1908 London Underground map. The first tube map that took geography into consideration.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is a recent black comedy with an unexpected plot.

The film follows a group of orphaned children who are sent to live with their evil relative Count Olaf. The plot of the film is continually unexpected, but not nonsensical.

I chose to feature this film on this blog not because of its plot, but because of its cinematography. I was impressed with a number of elements in the film.

One thing that has been ignored by many filmmakers is the DVD selection menu. In this film it is not overlooked. It becomes part of the film and has a slight essence of the style of Saul Bass.

The visual effects and the set design are also unique. The locations have a surreal feel to them. Time period and location have been deemed irrelevant giving the film a universal appeal.

The style of cinematography in this film has inspired me and made me consider the background elements in design. Everything from the way someone speaks to the architectural style of a building can have an effect on the essence of a design piece. This is something I will continually put consideration into.