Interesting designs with a natural aspect. -'what is a line'

The design above is the Creative Review marketing for their 'Illustrator Annual' competition.  Much like the stock sample design on my older post, this design has a similar look.  My thoughts here are more towards the shapes than the colours.  More specifically the orange shape going across the centre of the frame.  It mirrors shapes of natural landscapes which, in turn have a sound wave look about them.

Unfortunately the resource I obtained this piece of design from did not state who is was designed by.  However, the site it is featured on is http://www.patternity.co.uk/.  This table is something I stumbled upon, yet seems to be the most inspiring for this project.  The aspect I find most interesting about this design is the contrast in textures and line.  There is the contrast of flowing line to the more harsh angular line that is exactly what I am looking for.

From all of this I have found that, visually, sound and nature go hand in hand, and a collaboration of these two things within one design could create some interesting shapes that not only look visually stimulating, but also mean something- communicating a sound through an image, inspired by the shapes of nature.

The images above are all drawn by Marissa Textor.  As stated above, here shapes are created with natural content.  My idea is more of creating a natural shape with a more textured content that does not mirror the subject matter of the shape.  These drawings are all really interesting form a graphic point of view.

What is a line, natural inspiration.

The aspect that has inspired me for the 'What is a line' brief are the bold shapes and suggestive directions within them.  My idea is all about the visualisation of sound, more specifically, music.  Within music there are flowing melodies and hard beats- both of which are present in natural structures such as mountains and icebergs.

The images above have all been taken by the photographer Camille Seaman.  They clearly identify the shapes I have been talking about and the contrast of line within one natural area.  

The three images above have been taken by the photographer David Ryle.  To me, the idea of taking a natural form and manipulating it into something unnatural can create interesting results.  For example, keeping a certain aspect of this natural form, i.e the solid outer shape and inserting something near to its opposite

What is a line, natural inspiration within contemporary design.

I recently acquired this lovely package.  It's a collection of digital print test paper from the company GFSmith.  As interesting as the stock choices were, it was more the designs on the stock that caught my attention.  The design mirrors natural mountain and iceberg shapes, yet the colours do not.  I love the visual aspect and versatility of colour within the consistency of the design.  It is a visually engaging way to advertise stock, one that forces attention.

Here i've taken inspiration from the shape of this design and adapted it into my project.  It relates because it is similar to soundwaves- i find the shapes inspiring because of their flowing lines.

Who is Graphic Design for?

Who is the potential audience or audiences?  Who is meant to 'get it' and who isn't?

Product:

Sagmeister:

A Graphic Design book for Graphic Designers by a Graphic Designer.  Everything about this book is innovative.  It's a pleasure to own because of its preciousness.  Little designs such as the silver edge and quality stock make you feel like you own something important.  Also, it's fun to own- there are so many hidden bits where once you've found one you're constantly looking for more- it is engaging.  On top of all that, the content is brilliant.

Poster:

Designer Unknown:

Colours and layout are what attracted me to this design.  It is simple, yet the colours are vivid in small bursts and the layout isn't overcrowded.  This poster would be easy enough for many to enjoy and all to read.  The message is clear and concise.

Sagmeister:

Promotion:

Again.  Innovative.  Engaging.  Striking. 

Poster:
Richard Sarson:

Every now and again I get a moment to collaborate with the uber-talented Astrid Stavro. Above is a print we have created in response to the disaster in Japan


Type:
Sourced from designspiration: 
 

 Another one i'd say for the graphic designers.  The layout of the type here creates more of an image full of shapes than words.  There is a lot of impact here which attracts attention.

Branding:

 

'Logo and branding for a Scottish landscape photographer. The logo features three mountains depicting Scotland famous highlands. A pattern of mountains was also made for other materials.'

Again.  This is something I have seen before.  However, I like the fact that there is meaning behind it.  I think this will appeal to the photographers clients because of its simplicity.  The complex pattern definitely attracts attention and is a correct choice against the simple logo.

Typography:
Again designed by Euan MacKenzie:

 Gig poster.  I love the type at the top of the poster- it will attract attention and is good design in my opinion.  It's simple, yet complex at the same time.

What is Graphic Design for?

What Function does it perform or what problem is it trying to solve?

Type:

Richard Sarson: 

 

This typeface is supposed to be hard to read, yet nice to look at at the same time.  I think it is successful in an abstract way- the problem it is trying to solve is to look interesting.  And, for me, it does.

Print:

Studio Glithero:

'Using traditional print press techniques and an unorthodox appropriation of an envelope-folding machine, the project is presented alongside a making-of film that pays homage to the faithful relationship between the printers and their machines.

The utterly restless Studio Glithero have just released a wonderful new film entitled Paper Planes to document the creation of 'five expertly crafted' paper airplanes as part of Wallpaper's Handmade exhibition in Milan last week.'

Branding:

Studio Glithero:

 

Package:

This CD packaging works so well because of its unorthodox approach and use of materials.  For example, there is minimal pint on the transparent CD case, and a perforated edge which adds a certain preciousness in which once it is opened it can never be the way it began again.  Like opening a present.  What is Graphic design for?- for making everyday objects more interesting and exciting.

Product:

Unfortunately the designer was unnamed when I found this.

More focused on layout, this book experiments with shapes, numbers type and tone to create a basic yet interesting design.

Poster:

The typeface on this poster reminds me of Sagmeisters poster for the AIGA's 1997 biennial conference.  It has a playful, hand-crafted feel that people can really connect to.

Layout:

Designer unknown.

What function?- Interesting layout adds quality to type- making it more of an image than a page with type on it.  Specifically here the use of negative space looks refreshing, as if it were a considered poster.

Layout:

 

What is graphic design for?

This layout gives a feel of quality and expense.  The colours are desaturated which heightens its expensive look.  The small amount of text means that the viewer focuses on the image and title most.  Graphic design here has improved the visual quality of the piece.  It will be taken more seriously this way.

Stock:

GFSmith 

 

Ironically, the stock we design on has to incorporate some form of design to give an idea of the possibilities for that stock.  So, here, GFSmith have printed onto different types of stock, showing it off- using type as a contrast against it.  It works.  Following GFSmith have definitely made me more aware of the potential different stocks have on increasing the quality of the final resolution.