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.

 

Communication is a Virus. Website designs.

itsnicethat.com

Really interesting site.  Moreso the layout, something to think about when designing the website for Oliver Histon.

Opening page.  More visual than layout including an image.

Most sites i've found have this general layout.  Not the most original idea, however, could work in the sense that people wouldn't question it if it was what they are used to seeing.  

http://www.thegreeneyl.com/

http://fieldnotesbrand.com/

The general layout for a few sites was central which generally gives more space for content- something we will be lacking.  

http://portfolio.elenagiavaldi.com/

Again, a left alligned site.  I think that given the type of work in Oliver Histons' portfolio this style would work well.

Communication is a Virus. More awareness research.

Communication is a Virus. Website designs.

Communication is a Virus. Tell a convincing lie.

'The awareness test'

This whole brief is essentially about distracting people to successfully tell them a lie.  Through the lie we want people to realise how unaware they can be.

What is a line? Things of interest.

I found this in the 'resource' section of the site 'Patternity'.  It looks amazing yet also ties in well with my idea of crafting my final resolution.  Seeing as it is a subject area I feel I have neglected it's time I had a go at hand crafting something.  So to do this i'll need to research as much as possible.

Some experimentation with light.  I think it's a good example of how light can make something look totally different- something to think about with my sculptures.

Scanned in from the book 'Stereo Graphics', one that I think will be a constant source for this specific brief.  Makes me think more in a graphic design sense and less in a fine art mindset- i still need to remember that communication is the main aim.