Author: Ariana Dejesus (Page 2 of 2)

According to the reading, language is bigger than simply naming things; it is linking a concept and a “sound-image” together. Before reading this, I had never heard of a “sound-image,” and frankly, I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around the explanation of it. I’ve been a visual learner for the majority of my life, so trying to decipher what is being said about the difference and combination of concepts and sound-images is very hard. Overall, the readings were difficult to understand, but I think it’s easier to see how language shapes design. Seeing how letters only came after symbols and drawings to communicate words and concepts, it only makes sense we would revert back to this in order to have quick and easy communication skills in design.

Looking at most designs today, be it advertisements or logos, you don’t see a spot full of just letters and words. This would be terribly inefficient due to how we would need a lot of time to process what we are looking at and reading. After reading, we need to comprehend what the words represent and mean; what the concept is behind the letters. However, with images, it is a lot easier to understand what the concept or story is behind it; it’s less to take in but still just as effective at communicating. Symbols and icons were used to communicate before being replaced by alphabets. We survived off hieroglyphics for ages. In general communication, symbols are the “signifiers” because there will always be a connection between it and the signified.

According to these authors, the overall message they seem to convey is that graphic designers have evolved design into a more thoughtful process type of job. There were points made about how objects which used to be created for simple practical use are now being worked on more aesthetically. There are other occupations that don’t bother to look at each part of a project equally. Some professionals in other fields of work will worry more about the mechanics behind their work rather than if it is pleasing to the eye. In one of the readings, an engineer is referenced. The engineer was asked why they chose the color they did, and the engineer responded with, “It was the cheapest.” I found this interesting because after so many years of studying graphic design and the technical aspects that go hand-in-hand with creativity in this field, it’s hard for me to not look at things more deeply.

While walking around on a day out, I wonder what the process was like getting different logos or advertisements to the way they are. It’s like second nature to me at this point. I find myself internally praising some work and harshly criticizing others; “What were they thinking? Putting a dark blue colored font over a magenta background? You can’t read a single thing.” It’s definitely true that we focus a lot on the aesthetic aspect of art, but we also worry about whether it works well and communicates clearly; It’s not only if it looks pretty. Graphic design is more than simply throwing things together and hoping for the best. It’s having to go through multiple thought processes on just one small aspect of a project. This kind of artwork is making sure everything works in harmony; making sure your piece communicates what you want it to effectively yet creatively at the same time.

While not necessarily being a bad thing in the readings, technology was said to be creating a sense of commonality. It creates a universal language amongst designers. I agree with this, but I don’t believe it’s anything new when it comes to revolutions in art. The same way musicians share the language of guitar strings, keys, notes, etc. The same way paint brushes and certain brush strokes eventually became a universal language amongst those artists, technology is doing the same amongst graphic designers. However, I do have to wonder what will come next. Could this cause a lack of individuality one day? I doubt it, but even musical artists will eventually reuse the same melodies.

Yes, I filmed this in a cemetery. I wanted to catch ghost type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, and I also thought it fit my theory in the video. Enjoy.