Where is Graphic Design found?

Where is it meant to be seen?  In what situation or at what scale?  How is the audience supposed to receive it and are they meant to interact with it?

Print:

Unfortunately I found all of these prints on foreign sites.  However, I think that these three designs are all successful in their use of colour.  They have been printed in a relatively small format so therefore I would presume are designed to be picked up and interacted with.

This first design below is successful in my opinion because of its simplicity, layout and interesting contrast in texture.  The use of foil blocking draws you in and makes you want to pick it up.

All three have a strong use of shapes, directing the eye, highlighting areas.

Brilliant touch.  Anything with a hand-crafted aspect to it.  Even if it is a small aspect.  Instantly adds a certain quality to a piece if design (if it looks good).  This is because nowadays it is so so easy to go on Illustrator or Photoshop and create something.  -by incorporating some kind of physical technique your putting more (physical) effort into it.  People like this.  It appears to have been taken care of, and you want to take care of it.

Graphic sculptures:

Jen Stark:

-Paper crafting at its best.

 

It works because it breeds happiness.  First of all you see the colours and the complex shapes- it looks very nice indeed.  But then you find out that it is all done by hand, and your mind is blown.  These pieces are designed to be exhibited- so therefore not to be touched just looked at.  The audience are supposed to be entertained, excited, impressed.  And they are.  Everyone i've spoken to has all of Starks' work- and why wouldn't you? Your bombarded with bright colours and shapes.  I think it's the innocent feel of all her work that the viewer connects to.  It makes you feel like a kid again- cutting out coloured card and sticking it together- yet it holds much more skill and imagination.

"Believer" by Jen Stark / Music by Dan Deacon from Jen Stark on Vimeo.

- trippy.

Type:

Title sequences to films often have really interesting ways of depicting names.
Here's one of my favourite:

 

 

 

 

Throughout this whole film type is a general theme.  Below is an interview with the designer of the title sequence Ben Conrad:

ATS: Did the ‘rules’ stem from the title graphics or vice versa? Or were both always planned that way?

BC: The rules and title sequence evolved separately, but in the end came to a more understated simple approach. The goal was to integrate the type into the film and propel the narrative without becoming heavy-handed. The film is essentially a comedy, and we felt that punctuating the humor with a simple typographic approach was the way to go.

ATS: And what about the placement and interaction of the typographic elements? What were the various stages that went into producing those shots?
BC: The interactive animation of the type first started with the rules and eventually made their way into the main title sequence. We wanted to seamlessly integrate the type into the scene, making the type become another character. We were inspired by the tension between beauty and horror that the slow motion footage created. The goal for the type was to respond to that horrific grace, to react to the movement.
Soucred from: http://www.artofthetitle.com/2010/04/05/zombieland/ 

This type has been designed for a title sequence.  The main aim is for the type to interact with its surroundings- to move when something crashes into it.  The reason this title sequence is so successful is because of many things.  I think that the addition of the track can add a lot of emotion to something, and in this case it is.  However, the things moving the type is what makes is humorous- the context in which it is placed- the gritty horror juxtaposed with light contrasts such as a three legged father son race just increases the humor behind it. 

Another one:
The Hangover by Todd Phillips

  
 Unfortunately I couldn't get anything other than German video footage of this one so it's stills.  Though, the reason I think this works so well is because of its cinematography.  Even as stills the composition and colours of these images look as if they could be a static poster.  Even taken out of context this design works well.  My favourite still would be the top- i love bold, block, harsh typography against a natural setting.  

Typography:

sourced from designspiration.net: 

I found this interesting again because of its' natural look against block type.  Its something i've seen plenty before but it's nice nontheless.  
The type works well and has a sort of rustic feel.  It reminds me of an album cover.  The layout of the text against the square format means it would work well in a C.D context.

Branding:
"       "

  I think I like branding.  Unfortunately the background for this is unknown, however I think it is a solid image that is memorable and that's how it should be.

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.