Author: Darriel Bleasdille (Page 2 of 2)

According to the authors from this week’s reading, “typography is a service art”, it was used to make language more visible to the world opposed to what we know as fine art. Dating back from the reading to now, typography is still one of the best if not the most complete forms of communication when done correctly. With the developments of  typography, typographers seeked a deeper visual experience for society; one where the content is able to be digested more easily and has an effective impact on the betterment of the world. The authors from this week’s reading believed that technology was the game changer.  With the inclusion of technology into the arts world, typography was able to flourish in a new light; making communication through type/text even more effective. One example of this was the typo-photo, this was a technological invention made by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, that allowed one to view visual communications, it was made using both type and photos all in one. 

Typography, photography, and other media played an evolutionary role in the art world that allowed design and art to hold a particular standard along with becoming internationally known, inspiring new artists/designers to come. The authors from this week’s reading believed that in this new world of technology, technology is going to be key for new strategies and the development for future art forms. My advice for artists and designers of today, is to not be afraid; don’t be scared of experimenting and trying new things, because that’s how the greats became great. The foundational skills young designers and artists learn at institutions like the Bauhaus, are essential, but if they are not using their creative responsibilities in an enlightening way that helps society then it will be the same as if they were just creating fine art.

The three readings from this week were rather interesting. One of the readings was written in a form of poetry, which made it difficult for me to grasp at first whilst the others was more straightforward. The artists from the readings envisioned a future where they believed that the art of an artist has to be more than representational art, which was what the typical artist was known for during those times. The writers believed that yesterday’s artist has to adopt new qualities of being today’s constructors and assemblers. Taking on a higher responsibility as an artist. Artists have to get off their high horse and become more in touch with their engineering side while still being creative. This will allow them to contribute to society in a more meaningful way. One thing the readings had in common was the idea of technology and how it would affect. 

Filippo Tommaso Marinetti was quite effective with his poetic reading but I still feel like his views were stagnant and that he did not believe technology was going to help the art community. Although Marinetti was experimenting with the early form of graphic designs I still feel like his manifesto was overwhelming. Oppose to constructivists, like Aleksandr Rodchenko, who believed that art should be made in a way that it has function and meaning, that way it can last forever. Him and his wife wanted to do a service for their community and the world. They also refined several art designs and helped the development of graphic design to what we know it today via mass production. They didn’t see themselves as artists of fine art instead branded themselves as engineers. Last but not least, I believe technology came and changed the whole game; revolutionizing both the art and graphic design industries. It helped with its development and reach internationally. My favorite quote from the reading was “Technology is the mortal enemy of art”; yesterday’s artists used fine arts, whereas the designers of today use’s technology to help advance society in a positive way.

Salome Mindiashvil : Design is a form of visual communication that aims to either educate, inform or inspire people with ideas or actions. A good designer is the one that communicates those ideas in the clearest way possible. It is also highly aesthetic and uses color theory and principles of good layout.

Darriel Bleasdille: One important aspect when speaking about design is the community. Good design is supposed to improve the lifestyle and standard of living of the community; an easier way of communication and living. I believe good design also should shed light on problems around the world and issues within the community. Moreover, it has a duty to help with the advancement of society (from the good old days of riding horses to now having street signs to govern auto vehicle movements). My personal opinion on what makes a good design is as follows: “An unselfish form of communication’’ (for the betterment of society).

Daniel Rodriguez : when it comes to design after taking classes with other student designers we might be given the same product or idea but each person can create a design and speak to them or how they see things.

Jasmine Domena: Language seems to be kind of sexist. In the reading it talked about how by default they used the male figure by default and the female figure would be used to show a person providing a service to the male. This instantly reminded me and I connected it to Spanish language. In Spanish ellos is a group of boys, ellas is a group of girls, but if a group has a mix of boys and girls the default and expected term to use is ellos. This is also similar to the argument of using the term latinex

I think that language is a form of art. A living and breathing collective and unconscious entity/ system that exists that we all as a community contribute to in order to function and survive as humans. As mentioned in the reading “Design as an Art” by Munari; good language helps us communicate and express the realities of our surroundings but it is also a reflection of our environment; which is why I think it has changed over the years and what might have been a well understood symbol in 1960 may not be understood now. The use of words structured in a particular way or sound as a human experience separates it from other forms of language. For instance, signs are a visual but not verbal form language that helps relay a message in order to communicate.

I think in the structure of language when a community collectively relates a particular image, symbol or icon to an idea; it becomes part of language. In graphic communication a symbol or design is able to relay a particular message or even be used in place of that message to be understood by a community. This really is how signs, signifiers and the signified are employed in general communication; the sign being the image, the concept being the signified and the sound image as the signifier.

Language has shaped design in a significant way; I believe this is true because language came before design and set a foundational stone where design was able to grow and flourish. in the on going years. After the readings, I have a high understanding that they both work hand in hand together. In the past, art can be depicted as a selfish form of expression, as opposed to design. Design is a social activity; it was made not just for the use of singularity but for the advancement/ enhancement of our community. I believe design can accomplish things that language cannot do, it helps solve/ address problems and shed light on everyday practices of the world.

According to the authors, design should play an innovative role in society. One where the designers of the world are the middlemen tasked with producing good communication between society and design/art to the best of their ability. Designers in today’s world should be able to evolve with the current culture of the world without losing their innate aesthetic sense. When they are designing something, they take into consideration society and how best their design is going to impact/work within their society (enhancing it). The authors believe that designers should take a step back from what it means to be an artist in the old days and that they should be flexible enough to be able to supply on demand for their neighbours.

The field of design is distinguished from other creative occupations because being a designer entails a whole lot more than only being creative. Although the creative aspect is important, designers are somewhat designers/ engineers at the same time. Figuring out the best way to communicate with society via the design along with keeping an eye out for the needs of society. As a designer one has to take into consideration how their design is going to work in the world and how it will impact society (whether it is enhancing society’s culture in a positive light).

Designers should concern themselves with unsolvable theoretical questions because this is what it takes to push the current generation/culture to the next level. Technology plays a major role in shaping design. Technology made it possible for many artists to be able to showcase their work how they felt they wanted to. It also made it easier for young designers to become inspired all around the world. With the advancement of technology design/ designers of the world were able to grow with it (always advancing).

Because the world is always evolving and designers are often tasked as the ones to maintain the standard of culture, staying hip to their surroundings and what is going on in society is significant to a designer. New styles/ new cultural advancements can be one of the urgent problems for a designer if they are not keeping up to date. With the fast pace of technology, designers that do not evolve with the culture can be at the short end of the stick; being the ones to fix problems of the world and to make the accessibility of products most effective. Moreover, when a designer is up to date/ in sync with society and its culture they will be able to solve the new problems of the world that the generation before us did not have to deal with. Which I believe is a task they enjoy.