join the dots . . .

a quick logo design for a friend...

2009-06-16T18:06:00.003+01:00

One of my housemates friends has just qualified as a nail technician and asked if I could quickly think of any designs she could use. Above is the first result.

my full portfolio...

2009-06-10T13:01:00.014+01:00

OUPD201 Evaluation

2009-06-10T12:57:00.009+01:00

One of the first things I learnt at the start of the year was about time management. Towards the end of last year my time management had improved considerably, and I really thought I was making headway.

However, the first module this term proved to me that I still had a long way to go. I was not pleased with the outcomes, did not enjoy the project that much and felt I was pushed for time throughout the module. I believe my outcomes, are not really me and do not show people what I am interested in. However, two good things did come out of this; my fighting spirit and the urge to do things I am interested in. I also think I did not take on as much information as I should have about the printing processes, therefore I have arranged a 2 day placement/experience with a printers in my hometown. I hope to gain first hand experience from this, and I believe seeing the processes from start to finish will help me understand more clearly.

Once I had recognised this fighting spirit even the next module title ‘Motion’ couldn’t scare me! I decided to take this challenge of motions and do the best I could. Luckily, I really enjoyed the first mini-brief we had to do and I learnt that I really enjoyed the storyboarding process. Some of my initial ideas can be seen on the screen. The storyboarding made me realise that this module was going to be about a lot more than just sitting in front of the computer day in, day out. I therefore started the Christmas holidays with a real sense of anticipation.

As I have already said, I realised this brief needed more than a strong animation and I decided to inject some fun into it. I also wanted to be doing something I was interested in and passionate about as I had learnt from the previous module that if I have no interest in the subject my work suffers. I took a rather unorthodox approach to my research and decided to melt ice lollies on to fabric to ascertain what the stains looked like.

My research I had been able to identify the top ten most popular ice lollies which were the ones I used for my test. Another experiment I did, where I took a photo of each lolly every minute as it melted. I then put it into a stop motion animation. These little experiments over Christmas allowed me to have freedom and fun with creating the main animation and iweb.

From doing the iweb I rediscovered my love of organising everything into categories and having everything in the right place. I was able to create some sections within sections to allow the viewer easy navigation around the website, probably too many subsections but I got carried away!

Strangely enough, when I handed that module in, I had no idea whether it was good or not. I just knew I had had fun and had learnt so much about the animation side of graphic design. Initially I thought it was for boys and that I was going to be rubbish, however, I enjoyed it immensely. With this is mind I have actually organised a 3 day work placement with a freelance animator down in Bristol. He has worked with the BBC and is currently working with Stephen Fry, so I hope to learn a lot more about this area of design. Although it is not my main focus and interest, I believe it will teach me key elements that will stand me in good stead for the future.

When we were given the Music in the Mountains brief Iwas so nervous and worried about it, at the start of the day. Trying to come up with something by the end of the day? No chance I told myself, however, once I started the initial research around the topic I soon realised it was not too hard and the outcome just needed to be vibrant and lively. I am pleased with the final logo, especially as I had never designed a logo before! I also learnt that one-day client briefs do not have to be scary and daunting. As designers we will have to be able to do this kind of thing and I am glad I had the chance to do it now, instead of later on in the real world!

Another thing I was concerned and worried about was working with a creative partner. What if we clashed on key design choices? What if we didn’t get on and a friendship suffered? What if they didn’t put as much effort into the brief as I did? These were just a few of the questions running through my head. However, when it came down to it, I was very lucky and got Alex as my partner. I knew she would be a brilliant partner from the start as she is hard-working, a good friend, easy to talk to and has a similar style to me. Therefore the collaboration was fun, exciting and produced a strong final outcome. The final mailshot is one of my favourite pieces from this year as we remained focused about the target audience, produced work to a high standard and presented it well. However, I realise I was very lucky to get such a good partner as it could have easily been the complete opposite. Overall, doing the collaborative brief has shown me that it is a lot of fun working with other people particularly be able to bounce ideas off them, however you have to be careful as it is not all plain sailing and in the future I may not be as lucky.

After and during the collaborative brief we had the additional module, I had selected the ‘Type’ option. I did this as I believed, and still do, that I need to be a more rounded designer and have knowledge on this matter so that in the future I won’t feel out of my depth when it comes to magazine layout and font selections etc. Don’t get me wrong, the drawing element is key too, but personally at the moment, I am more interested in the design than the illustration side of things. Overall, the type module taught and introduced me a range of new skills and rules. I definitely believe that module was the right choice for me, especially as my main interest is packaging, therefore I need to learn about fonts, layout, nets and spacing. All of those elements and more are key to me developing in the direction I want to go.

The last section of this year, where we were able to pick our own 3 briefs, gave me the perfect chance to work with packaging and focus more on the design I am interested in. The Sainsbury’s brief, shows my interest in illustration. Yes, although I selected the type module I do still have an interest in illustration and believe the two can work together. I thought I would take the chance to experiment with drawing and creating visual elements as I don’t normally, and saw it as my chance to try, before I reach the 3^rd year. I am pleased with the outcome, however I would like to have pushed it further and included the image on packaging and made more from it.

The lastminute.com brief was not a packaging requirement from the start, it actually just asked you to raise awareness of the brand. However, I decided to use a mailshot to do this, rather than posters and advert campaigns. My main thinking was their slogan ‘turning the whole world pink’ and I wanted to play on this by using the rose-tinted glasses idea. I thought the relationship between the two could be a nice juxtapose. If you see the world through rose-tinted glasses you are seeing it through lastminute.com glasses. This brief was only a week long and I am pleased with the outcome, although I should have probably spent less time researching around the topic.

My final brief was the Wagamama one and this is definitely my favourite outcome from the whole year. Again, I made it more about packaging then anything else and focused on the thoughts people have when you say ‘take-out’. Style boxes seemed to be the main thought so I made them into the main restaurant’s placemats, with the eat out menu on the inside. This is my favourite piece, as it includes all my interests, from packaging to grid layout, as well as an illustration element. I want to carry this through to next year and start off where I am ending this year. To this end I have arranged a 3 week placement at a packaging company which I hope will help me to get an insight into a field that I hope I will ultimately be able to make a career in. I have also decided that my dissertation will essentially be based upon packaging with a particular focus on green consumerism.

I have had a number of ups and downs, however I now believe I am discovering myself as an individual designer. This year has taught me what I am interested in, what I do not enjoy and what I need to improve upon.

work that inspires me and placements...

2009-06-10T09:03:00.000+01:00

Websites I look at=

Evening Tweed, is a website set up by 4 Brighton graduates. They have very different and unique styles to each other but also feed off each other. I love looking through their work for inspiration.
Maybe I could see if I could meet up with them?

CR is an obvious one to keep up-to-date with as there is always new and exciting work being posted.

ilovedust.com has a brilliant combination of illustrations and graphic design, I especially like the piece in the screen shot, a piece they created for Bloomingdale's.

Both of the packaging websites are key for me. I look at them all the time and am always left amazed at the stunning packaging! I definitely want to be featured!

Placements sorted=

FLB, cheltenham
A packaging/identity company
I can't wait to start my work placement here in July, I hope to learn so much from the experimence, not just how to make good tea!!

Dahlia Designs
A freelance designer

Dream placements=

CampbellHay, London
Found them on the dieline and I am in love!! Am going to send my portfolio off tomorrow to see if I could pop in and see them/have work experience over half term/christmas.

Pearlfisher, London
Who does not love them?! Some brilliant pieces in their portfolio, would love a chat with them.

Lewis Moberly, London
Again, found on dieline.com and was struck by their work for Waitrose.

Considering I am not that keen on living in London, I think any of these companies could easily change my mind!! The experience I would gain from having a placement with them would be worth living in London!!

Other artists=
Geraldine Georges. Love the illustration side to it, and how the photographs link and work with the black lines. So impressive and eye-catching.

OUGD204 - DESIGN - COMMUNICATION THROUGH TYPE evaluation

2009-04-01T08:30:00.013+01:00

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

I have learnt so much from this module. I had no idea about many of the topics we covered during our sessions. It was all completely new to me, however I believe these newly acquired skills will be vital for me from now onwards, I never realised type and layout played such a large part in everything around us. I am so glad I selected this option, I think what we have learnt during this module will help us be better graphic designers in the long run.

It is hard to know where to begin when talking about the skills we have gained as we covered many subjects and topics. The first aspect of type we were introduced to was the character of a font. I had never thought about it before, however in hindsight it all makes sense. I now know picking a typeface is a serious decision and should not be taken lightly. You need to understand what the purpose of the type is, as well as its location and how it is meant to be read. Next came, producing a 2 posters describing the characteristics of 2 fonts. This allowed us to experiment and try out different layouts for posters to allow the text to be easy to read but interesting at the same time.

We then carried on with the layout theme and experimented with producing small newspaper adverts for a painter/decorator. This meant we had to learn how to work on a small scale and look at hierarchies. This is vital for a number of advertises, no matter what the size, so this is a brilliant skill to have been shown. Still in layout, we moved onto magazine and novel layouts, this required us to look number of words on a line, indents, lining, spacing and paragraph spacing. Again, a vital skill to have.

Finally we moved onto CV layout, which also meant understanding the use of tabs, business cards and letterheads. This was my favourite area of the module as we were allowed to practice everything we had been taught and try to put it into practice. We also had to address the issue of colour within this.

There are so many new skills I have been introduced to and I look forward to becoming stronger within them.

2. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

Strengths within this module must be acquiring all the new skills. These new skills will help me in a number of future briefs as well as helping me once I go out into industry. I intend to make the most of the elements I have learnt and I also intend on continuing with the type journals as these are a brilliant reference point.

3. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

My journals. I believe I could have pro auriquiring duced more quality work if I had been more motivated from the beginning. I however, do see the possibilities with them now and am going to continue working in them for my personal use. A useful 'library' to have and develop over the years.

I have all the classwork, however, I have not be able to write a little evaluation/explanation for each task as I did not do it at the time and as a result cannot be sure of the indents etc.

4. Identity 4 things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

1. Time manage more. I have become much better at this however, I feel I did not put it into practice during this module. If I had set aside time every week for this brief, after each session, I believe my type journal would have developed more and my analysis would be more in depth as it would be fresh in my mind.

2. Investigate more. I am pleased with my analysis journal, however my experimental journal is lacking and does not have as much as I wanted in it.

3. During each session record what we actually need in a notebook so when it came to putting the class work together I could have made little notes about each task.

4. Realised how interesting and exciting type can be from the beginning. My enthusiasm for this module has grown more towards the end as we looked as hand crafted fonts and packaging nets, both of which are my main interests. If I had realised the possibilities earlier I think my motivation to do the type journals would have been more.

5. Please rate yourself on the following areas.
5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=average, 1=poor.

Attendance = 3
Punctuality = 4
Motivation = 3
Commitment = 3
Quantity of work produced = 2
Quality of work produced = 2
Contribution to the group = 3

old art foundation pieces of work...

2009-03-07T16:47:00.000Z

Below is a photograph I took during my induction into black and white cameras and developing images. For a first attempt I am very pleased and think the angles and straight lines work well together.

1 day brief..

2009-02-24T20:22:00.004Z

The brief was to create a logo for a classical music festival in Spain, called Music in the Mountains (Musica de las Montanas). We were meant to get across a feel of vibrancy, energy and passion. My initial ideas were very tame and didn't really achieve what I wanted. Therefore I looked at existing logos for some inspiration. I found the logo of the Museum of London and thought it was along the right lines for what I wanted to capture. Therefore I used that style on a guitar and violin and I am pleased with the overall feel and look. However, perhaps the text needs to change position? I have also used 5 colours and do not think this is practical, so I may need to revisit my colour palette.

i am in love!!!

2009-01-30T11:43:00.001Z

Cadbury's new advert is brilliant and I can't stop watching it! Yet again another advert from Cadbury's that gets you talking about the brand.

Masha Karpushina

2008-12-25T18:55:00.014Z

Talya Baldwin

2008-12-24T18:41:00.008Z

www.illustrationweb.com

Talya Baldwin has "been working as an artist and illustrator ever since graduating from Saint Martin's College, London, with an MA in Communication Design."

Her work is a mixture of drawing, text and elements from her imagination. She uses whatever surfaces are available to her, such as old envelopes and lining paper.

I think her style is unique and interesting. I especially like the use of different papers and materials. Again she has looked into birds and I think I could develop this idea a long way. However, I am unsure whether or not this idea is appropriate to E4.

Edward Crutchley

2008-12-23T18:17:00.010Z

I was looking on www.illustrationweb.com for some inspiration for my xmas brief as I want to use drawing and illustration as my main media. I then came across Edward Crutchley.

"Edward, born in 1980, grew up in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. After moving to London at 18, he studied Womenswear at Central St. Martins. Since his graduation in 2003 he has worked with a variety of design houses; working in both textile and print design. His influences are varied; from 60’s modernism to Elizabeathan stump work, folk art to Beardsley. A love of traditional British fabrics also informs the textural nature of his work, which is offset with a graphic simplicity." http://www.illustrationweb.com/illustrators/home_large.asp?artist_id=3305&anim=N

His clients include:

V & A Magazine
Louis Vuitton Malettier
Pringle of Scotland
Fashion Monitor
Cent Magazine

I find his work really interesting and eye-catching. A modern style of illustrating traditional objects and people. I am also interested in his work due to the fact that he also includes different patterns within the pieces. This adds another dimension to the work and makes you want to investigate it further. I am now thinking about looking into birds/squirrels or other creatures as my xmas project.

christmas presents..

2008-12-22T17:50:00.006Z

It's that time of year again when you have to think of presents for aunts, uncles and any relative you may see over the christmas period. I was panicking about what to buy until I walked into Whittards on the promenade. The shop has beautifully packaged coffee and tea, perfect presents for the relatives!

I was so taken with the packaging and designs that I went onto their website once I returned home and here are a few of there designs which I particularly like.

books, books, books

2008-12-21T12:28:00.001Z

Books to look at...(a little reminder to me for when I go back to uni in January)

1. Designing Information, Harmut Bruckner, Hauschild; $132
81 pieces from Prof. Bruckner;s Munster-based information Design and Typography
course
2. Data Flow: Visualizing Information in Graphic Design, R Klnten, N Bourquin and d S
Ehmann, DieGestalten Verlag; $78
Facts and figures as diagrams
3. Grid Systems in Graphic Design (Raster Systeme), Joseph Muller-Brockmann, Niggli, $78
Revised fourth edition of JMB's classic type/layout manual

Dorest Cereals

2008-12-20T18:27:00.001Z

Being back home I have wanted to spend as much time as possible in my car and with my mum, therefore a trip to Waitrose was the answer. Whilst there I found some really interesting food packaging.
Below are some unique, simple and interesting cereal packaging from Dorest Cereals. I love the overall affect all the elements have together.

CR december issue

2008-12-18T12:46:00.003Z

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/crblog/cr-december-issue/
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/crblog/art-by-42-below/ (shows the full article and videos)

Check on this work by The Glue Society in Sydney. They have created a series of "artistic happenings for New Zealand vodka company 42 Below." Basically the ad campaign was that these pieces of art suddenly appeared around Australia and New Zealand.

Below you can see some examples.
Clockwise from top left: Wrapping a whole street of cars in christmas paper; a rainbow of chairs in Cardrona; 100 inflatable sex dolls that mysteriouslt appeared on Bronte Beach; a milk crate UFO that landed unannounced in Queenstown.
I love this approach of publicity. It works so well at getting people talking. I also like that the pieces work on their own too, without being linked to the vodka company. The Glue Society also produced videos of the pieces being set up and the photographs you see below have been running as regular billboard and magazine adverts.

logo development

2008-12-17T12:39:00.006Z

http://best-ad.blogspot.com/2008/08/evolution-of-logos.html - I found this blog a while back but forgot to put it up here. Anyway, this blog contains the logo development of a number of large businesses. For example I have included VW; Shell; Nokia; Apple and Fed-Ex.

I can't believe some of the original logos, especially apples! It is amazing how they have all developed. On the blog there is also the develop of Sony's logo. Now this is quite an interesting one as there is only a slight change each time and the original and todays are not very different, however the company and designers involved obviously thought the slight weight and height change to the font were key.

Playful Type

2008-12-16T12:12:00.010Z

Title: Playful Type; Ephemeral Lettering and Illustrative Fonts
Editors: R. Klanten, H. Hellige
Language: English
Release: September 2008
Price: £35,00
Format: 24 x 28 cm
Features: 240 pages, full colour, hardcover
ISBN: 978-3-89955-220-1

This book shows a selection of work by illustrators who are choosing to stick with handmade letterforms in an increasingly digital world.
This book is also going onto my christmas list!! I love seeing the unique ways people are creating type. I am especially interesting in handcrafted type, it is incredible what designers can do!

Below are few examples of the contains of the book....

Yes design

2008-12-15T11:59:00.005Z

After learning about the new penguin books I wanted to research more into the designers who had produced the covers.

Yes design (http://www.yesstudio.co.uk) have a number of interesting and unique pieces of work to their name. I would definitely recommend a look at the website.

The three pieces of work below have been included as I feel they all have good and clever qualities to them. For example, I think the way in which 'next day delivery' has been linked to the album title (catalogue) and I am drawn to the boxes they have created from this cover image.
I included the piece below as I found the font and colour choice interesting and I believe it works with the nature of the band and music.

I then included this piece below simply because I liked it! I think the colour shading works well to catch your attention. I like how the image is not the first thing you see, but infact the colour.
check out the webiste!

penguin books

2008-12-14T11:47:00.006Z

For my final art foundation project I set about re-designing some classic penguin books. Ever since this project I have been interested in keeping up-to-date with penguin going-ons. Therefore, I was really happy and excited when I read an article in CR's december issue about Penguin's ongoing project to honour its design heritage.

The four books were redesigned by Yes (http://www.yesstudio.co.uk) and the brief was to create a "timeless and dignified series, while also taking much care to complement the integrity of the original texts".

I believe Yes were successful at creating covers for the books which link them altogether, through the use of colour and layout, but they also allow each book to be unique and different. A successful piece of design.

Keane

2008-12-13T10:46:00.004Z

http://www.wearetourist.com/
Above is the link for the design company that have created Keane's latest album. (below) It is apparently based on the Bauhaus movement.

However, this is not what is annoying people most. You see before the designers got their hands on the project Osang Gwon had created figurative sculptures of each band member. He does this by covering the sculptures in hundreds and hundreds of photographs of his subject. Below you can see one example of the orginial artwork, before 'tourist' became involved.This is why people are annoyed - an amazing piece of artwork has been "reduced to little triange snapshots".

Personally, I like the Keane album cover, however once I understand the context of the artwork I do agree with most people, the artwork is not getting the

pepsi logo development

2008-12-12T10:40:00.003Z

Pepse have now redesigned their logo. Below are the 'before' and 'after' shots. Apparently, "a 'smile' will characterise brand Pepsi, while a 'grin' is used for Diet Pepsi and a 'laugh' is used for Pepsi Max."

So there you go! My personal opinion is that they should not have bothered! I much prefer the old one and I think they should take a left out of Coca-Cola's books - still to the 80's cans; let your market history do the selling. I just see this as a big waste of time.

Kate_Gibb

2008-12-11T10:29:00.000Z

I know I have already done a post about Gibb but that was last year and now she has created new pieces and I'm now even more in love with her!

And to top it off she has now appeared in CR. She is monograh's artist of december. (You can receive Monograph when you subscribe to CR, it does not appear in newsstand copies.

mr muscle advert...

2008-12-10T18:19:00.001Z

I was horrified to see the new mr muscle advert today....where has my skinny geek gone? He is now some muscle bound guy in a cape with sunglasses rushing around the earth from kitchen to kitchen! I have included the old adverts below in this post so you can remind yourself of how good they were. Once I find a link to the new advert I shall get it up here.

Sarah King

2008-12-09T14:28:00.005Z

I know she is very popular at the moment and everyone is talking about her and including her in their blogs, however I did not want to miss out of the opportunity of recording her work. I want to have her in my 'database' so that I refer back to her at any point.

I love the fact that she is thinking outside the mould - why does type just have to be on paper? I would like to try experimenting in this manner and investigate the possibilities. Perhaps if I take the type module I could push this further.

Sam Winston

2008-12-08T13:17:00.000Z

http://www.samwinston.com/

The first 3 pieces below shows the extent of my knowledge of Winston. I heard about him last year in my PPD sessions, however I never founded this up. I now wish I had done so earlier as I am really interested in this aspect of type. To create something out of writing.

This is the part of Sam Winston I never knew existed.....

(I love the next two pieces)

He does not just stick to type either, below are some examples of other stuff he does.

bonbi forest

2008-12-07T13:15:00.003Z

http://www.bonbiforest.com/default.php

I have a number of 21st's coming up at the moment and I was searching for some unique pieces of jewellery and then I found this website. It is not my normal type of shop and wouldn't but much from here. However, i think the designing and layout of the website is modern, funky and interesting. Below are two items I liked. I was drawn to these due to the
aesthetics and simpleness.

http://www.bonbiforest.com/default.php

I have a number of 21st's coming up at the moment and I was searching for some unique pieces of jewellery and then I found this website. It is not my normal type of shop and wouldn't but much from here. However, i think the designing and layout of the website is modern, funky and interesting. Below are two items I liked. I was drawn to these due to the
aesthetics and simpleness.

card fun...

2008-12-06T17:37:00.003Z

It was my Grandparents 70th Wedding Anniversary the other week so I obviously needed a card. However, I wanted something more personal, therefore I decided to create it myself. Below is my final design for the card.

www.typeworkshop.com

2008-12-05T15:14:00.021Z

This website is brilliant for showing you visual basics of type. I want to investigate type further but this is a good starting point. The website is a fun and light-hearted why of explaining dull things!

green&blacks

2008-12-04T14:42:00.003Z

Sweet Dreams: The Story of Green & Blacks

At the weekend my boyfriend and I had a road trip to York. Whilst we were there we went to Waterstone's to try and find a present for his dad. Once inside I left the boyfriend to it and had a leisurely stroll around and that is when I found the book below.
My interest in this book is not because of the fact that it is chocolate but because of the embossing on the front as well as the gold foil work. Since my design for print module I have become more aware of print processes around me. (Perhaps I did learn more in that module than I thought!)

YouTube account

2008-12-03T15:39:00.005Z

I have gone to the dark side and set up a youtube account (I don't know how I have lasted so long without one!)
I have uploaded my first attempts at stop motion, using final cut. As well as my initial induction work to after effects.
I am really surprised at how much I am enjoying this brief at the moment, I really thought I would hate video and animation. It's good to be proven wrong!

www.ilovetypography.com

2008-12-03T14:35:00.011Z

Flicking through this website I came across the following images which I find interesting and unique.
My ongoing type workshops are really helping me to appreciate type a lot more.

Clever use of type shapes.

I want to photograph my portfolio in this style - with the bull clips.

Design for Media

2008-12-02T23:41:00.002Z

For my latest project (more information can be found on my other blog - link down right hand side) I have to portray a word through the way it is presented and placed on the page. One of my words is 'fold'. Whilst researching around this idea I found a piece by Daniella Spinat and thought it was very relevant to what I am trying to achieve.

http://daniellaspinat.com/index.html#n_foldedpaper

my new blog...

2008-12-02T18:00:00.003Z

For the start of my next module we have been asked to set up a new blog where we address the issues of "WHAT IS DESIGN FOR DIGITAL MEDIA?"

So here is the link if you wish to find out more on the subject....

http://emma-sunderland2.blogspot.com/

playing with cardboard boxes...

2008-12-02T14:30:00.004Z

Found on www.ilovetypography.com

Drawn to the way in which people can use any object or 'thing' around them and still create fonts and unique pieces.
(The top piece is much stronger, however the bottom one is unedited-the boxes are left as th same shape)

The mossenger

2008-12-01T14:22:00.009Z

Anna Garforth, aka the mosenger has created natural graffiti which is biodegradable.
Below you can see she took a quote from poet Eleanor Stevens, carved the letters out of a common moss, which thrives on brick walls, and glued it to the wall with a mix of totally biodegradable ingredients.

"As the moss grows it will begin to spread out and the words themselves will literally spread themselves, in all their green glory, across the wall and melt into a field of green. Part of an on-going project experimenting with public space and street art, I’m majorly interested to see what Garforth will be up to next. Perhaps the next lines of the poem will strategically find themselves on walls across the city?" http://shapeandcolour.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/anna-garforth-mossenger/

Critical Studies Essay

2008-12-01T14:05:00.001Z

This afternoon I have my critical studies presentation and I am dreading it....I hate standing up infront of people as I freeze and panic! Anyway, below is my 500 word essay which has to be handed in with the presentation....wish me luck!

Myth Today by Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes (1915-1980) was a French social and literary critic.

During the years 1954-56, Barthes wrote a series of short essays, which were written in a humourous and journalistic style for the magazine called Les Lettres Nouvelles. These essays depict the events and trends which took place in France the 1950’s and were grouped together to form the first section of his book entitled ‘Mythologies’. The title is based upon the idea that although a myth is often false or at best unverifiable, it explains a view of certain conventions or the nature of society. Barthes (Mythologies,1972 p11) states in his preface ‘I resented seeing Nature and History confused at every turn and I wanted to track down , in the decorative display of what-goes-without saying, the ideological abuse which, in my view, is hidden there’. Thody (Introducing Barthes, 1999 p4) explains that “for Barthes one of the greatest mistakes modern society makes is to think that its institutions and intellectual habits are good because they are in keeping with what is popularly called “the nature of things”.

The second section of his book (written 15 years later) contains a longer theoretical essay which explores the deconstruction of this methodology in greater detail and is entitled ‘Mythology Today’. From my understanding, it emphasises his view that myth is a language which focuses on the semiological nature of social conventions and rituals. (Barthes 1972 p109-159). This is my chosen text.

In "Myth Today" Barthes seems to develop the ideas of other linguists such as Ferdinand Saussure and Peirce. He builds on the concept of the linguistic sign that consists of a signifier (the word) and the signified (the meaning being conveyed). Taking this analysis further, he places a layer of meaning in each sign - the mythological meaning or cultural subtext that underlies the primary linguistic meaning. The language system that myth uses, is called the "language-object", while myth itself is termed the "metalanguage", (Barthes 1972 p115) i.e. language which is used to structure and manipulate everyday language .

Barthes (1972 p121) believes that "myth hides nothing; its function is to distort, not to make disappear”. Accordingly he (1972, p128) believes there are three possible ways to relate to myth, as a creator, as a decipherer or as a consumer of mythological speech and it is necessary to probe beneath several layers of meaning to uncover the hidden ideology, and recognise that the innocence of mythical speech is nothing more than a façade and that this mythological layer of meaning, despite its seemingly "naturalness", is in fact determined by history and culture and is used by dominant groups to maintain their ideology and power. One popular example, is Barthes’ deconstruction of a photograph of a black man saluting the French flag on the cover of Paris-Match (Barthes 1972 p 119). Clearly if the image had been of a white soldier the meaning would have been significantly different.

In summary therefore, I believe that the theoretical essay Myth Today, projects Barthes’ view that objects and events signify more than is at first apparent. They are enmeshed in systems of representation that add meaning to them. Although my research suggests that these ideas are heavily influenced by Barthes’ Marxists leanings and his ideology of the ‘ruling class’, much of his thinking on culture and language, which has undergone various transformations since the 1950s, still holds true today.

(564 words)

Bibliography

Barthes, R (1972) Mythologies, London, Vintage Classics
Crow, D (2003) Visible Signs, London, AVA Academia
Thody, P (1999) Introducing Barthes, London, Icon Books Ltd
Thwaites T, Davis L, Miles W, (2002) Introducing Cultural and Media Studies – A semiotic approach, London, Palgrave
Gaines, E (2001), Wright State University, The American Journal of SEMIOTICS, Pages 311-327.Semiotic Analysis of Myth: A Proposal for an Applied Methodology
McNeill, T (1999), University of Sunderland, Roland Barthes: Mythologies (1957) Available from http://seacoast.sunderland.ac.uk/~os0tmc/culture/myth1.htm (Accessed 28 October 2008)
Liffin, A (2008), A Discussion of Myth, Roland Barthes and the Power of Persuasive Language Available from www.associatedcontent.com/article/12713/a_discussion_of_myth_roland_barth... (Accessed 23November 2008)
Chandler, D Semiotics for Beginners, http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/

Peter Callesen

2008-11-30T13:47:00.024Z

http://www.petercallesen.com

Afraid this is going to be a very long blog (mostly images) due to the fact that I cannot select just a few examples of his work! The amazing detail which is obvious is his work is breathtaking. I do not understand how he does it!

I came across Callesen's work in Illustration Play. However, I recognize his work from somewhere else, but can't put my finger on it.

I now remember where I have seen his work before - Hidden narratives, Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield, England, 2008.
Below is the first piece of Callesen's work I ever saw.
Death section.
Callesen plays with the idea of the paper being your skin and what happened when you peel it away.

Flower section.
Showing the transition between living and death again but through flowers, especially poppies.

Random pieces I can't quite believe! So amazingly created!

Facebook...

2008-11-29T12:57:00.003Z

I was just checking out my Facebook when I came across this image of my friend (one on left). I am unsure who created this advert but I really like the illustration part of it and the speech bubbles coming from their mouths.

christmas list so far....

2008-11-29T12:09:00.007Z

A book called Illustration Play.
I love every single page in this book! And its only £17 on amazon!

The Pantone Swatches.
Would love the Pantone Bridge set. These are the key ones.

www.knockknock.biz (again!)

2008-11-28T12:01:00.005Z

Another fun, light-hearted product which I believe is designed well. Actually, I think the whole website and all the products are well designed and thought about.

Below are 'vouchers for lovers', a gift which enables the receiver to request desires.....

www.knockknock.biz

2008-11-27T11:43:00.005Z

On the 1st December it is going to be my boyfriend's, Steve, and my 4 year anniversary. Therefore I required a card asap.....JOY was my hero and I found a fun card to give him.....

(this is the e-card version of it but the contents is still the same)

Below are 'timing task clips'. They are knockknock's "interpretation of the standard binder clip." I found these clips to be fun, colourful, useful and just caught my eye. I would definitely use something like this product.

Adobe Creative Suite 4

2008-11-26T14:08:00.003Z

Just found this new advert for Adobe Creative Suite 4 and I love it! I an unsure of hat scale it has been produced at but I think it is so clever. This is the kind of innovative and new design I spoke about in my evaluation yesterday.

End Of Module Self-Evaluation: Design For Print

2008-11-25T14:06:00.002Z

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

I have learnt a number of skills through doing this module as well as regaining old ones I did not use over summer.

For me, the old skills I have renewed and developed are organisation, to keep thinking back to the target audience (is my project still relevant?) and time management. I think all three of these elements are key to pushing your project and producing something you are pleased with at the end. My time management needs to be rediscovered more though. I yes this because towards the end of last year I did not stress out or panic towards the deadline as I had planned my time so carefully that it was all under control. Whereas for this module I did not have that luxury and it has definitely taught me a good lesson for the next modules and the future.

Colours in general as well as for print has been a key part of this module for me. I know have a grasp of how important colour is and what effects it can have on your piece of work. I also understand what each colour process does and when it is relevant to use it. For example, RGB if I as doing a website. For me, this was the most interesting part of the project as I had never really questioned colour before. It amazes me now to think of how I used to be - find a pretty colour and use it, no question asked about the tone or what effect it was having on my project.

I also learnt and developed new skills through our timetabled workshops; screenprinting and letterpress. Screenprinting has always been an interest to me and I never really know how to use the process in my work. However, being forced to use two print processes in this module I have been able to discover what kind of things I can do with it and I will definitely try and use it more in my work as I love the effects you can create from it. I hope to use the drop-in sessions more this term and year so that I can experiment with it more. I was quite nervous about letterpress as I knew how fiddly it could be and how precise you have to be. However, once I was there and had picked out my font I enjoyed myself immensely. The process it not as complicated as I thought and I found it to be very rewarding. I thought about using this process in my final work, however due to the limited fonts available I decided against it as I did not want to introduce another font so late. I hope to use this process more throughout the year and if I cannot fit it into my work then perhaps I could use it for my own personal work.

Another key element to this module was the different print techniques available. I had no idea at the start of this year about print, I just thought everything used the same printers and did not realise about printing plates and colour issues. I now understand about when each printing process is relevant and how it works. I think being able to understand this and being able to relate and talk to the printers is a vital part of being a graphic designer. Having said this and realising the importance of it, I do not believe I got the most out of this part of the module and as a result I hope to work, visit a printers over the christmas period for a week or so to try and learn and understand more about these processes.

Finally, I also learnt about stock, paper weight and Pantone swatches. These 3 elements can make or break your project and I had no understanding of this fact last year. I simply picked a stock I liked and that was the end of that! Whereas now, I understand the importance of it and see the consideration which must be put in.

2. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I believe I am now more confident with colour, meaning I can work better with it and I am more willing to experiment. So what if it does not work? You can try another colour palette. I feel that my reflective evaluations throughout my project are a strength and have allowed me to refine my research and development.

3. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how could you exploit these more fully?

My research for this project was awful. Last year I considered it to be a strength of mine throughout the year. However, during this project I did not achieve this and believe my work suffered due to it. I am definitely more determined after this module and I am going to regain my ability at researching primary and secondary information and artists. Another weakness is my time management, not through most of the project, just the end section. I have definitely learnt from my mistakes and as I have said already I am more determined than ever to address these issues and take my work forward. For this module, I believe I could go on and on about my weaknesses, however I am unsure how beneficial this would be to me. I know where I went wrong and I intend to address those issues straight away. However, one last main weakness was my handmade boxes. I was pleased with the product and the net, but when it came to making it I struggled and I believe the quality of the boxes was lost due to this.

4. Identify five things that you will do different next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

1. Work a lot harder. I know this is general but I believe I could work more in every aspect of my work therefore I am not being specific.
2. Regain my time management skills. Be organised from the start of this project and keep everything under control. Produce a time plan at start of project to keep me on track.
3. More and better research. Primary and secondary.
4. Experiment more. With initial ideas; with print processes; with mock-ups; with layout; with colour. The list could go on.
5. Develop my idea generation. Do not be so worried about end result as something more innovative and new could come out of the research. Be more adventurous.

6. How would you grade yourself on the following areas:
(please indicate using an ‘x’)

5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor

Attendance = 4
Punctuality = 4
Motivation = 2 or 3 at start and 5 at end.
Commitment = 4
Quantity of work produced = 2
Quality of work produced = 1
Contribution to the group = 4

Answering these questions has definitely motivated me for the future. I want to put this module behind me and focus on the work ahead of me.

Michael Perry

2008-11-24T12:28:00.008Z

http://www.illustrationmundo.com/audio/artist/129
Found his work through a link on Eleanor Bowley's website.

Since I have started my type project I am becoming more and more aware and interested in fonts/types. I seem to suddenly be looking at weight, serifs, size etc! Through this is I am also becoming more interested in hand rendered type as I believe it makes a piece come alive and can say so much. However, I do understand that this is purely decorative and would obviously not use it in a body copy.

Eleanor Bowley

2008-11-23T12:35:00.006Z

http://www.eleanorbowley.co.uk/
There is a book I love at the moment called Illustration Play and I found Bowley through this.

I have always loved sewing machines and the effect you can create from using one on your work. However, I have always seen sewing onto work as an after thought - finish the piece off, add a bit more detail. Whereas, with Bowley her entire work is done using sewing machines and hand crafted stitching.

Eugenia Tsimiklis

2008-11-22T12:50:00.009Z

"Eugenia Tsimiklis graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Communications (Graphic Design and Illustration) and moved to London from Australia in 2001. After working as a Graphic Designer in an Architectural firm, she then turned her hand to fashion textiles. As a textile designer for womenswear her textile designs have been seen on a large variety of labels from high end designer labels right through to high street labels. She worked for a London studio initially and is now freelancing as a textile designer and illustrator." (www.emikli.com)

I love work like this. Although, I can never recreate it for myself! I am adding her to my blog as I want to be able to appreciate her work and not forget it.

Teena Hansen

2008-11-21T12:43:00.006Z

At the moment two of my housemates are doing their illustration project for their latest designs and this is how I found Hansen. One of my housemates was using her for inspiration and I agreed that her work is eye-catching and holds your attention. I think the way in which the bodies link together and create one since piece is very clever and works well. (Her work also reminds me of visual language last year)

http://www.wallspankers.com/wsartteena.htm

an interesting website...

2008-11-20T12:49:00.002Z

Quick post to say check out.....
http://www.wallspankers.com/wsartists.htm

It has loads of different illustrators on here....heaven!

more letterpress fun!

2008-11-06T18:26:00.001Z

Once we had finished printing and were tidying up I started to play around with the letters and here is what I created for you...!

letterpress fun!

2008-11-06T17:16:00.001Z

We have just done a workshop in letterpressing and I loved it! I thought I was going to hate it as you have to be so precise but i actually fact it was really fun. Definitely going to use again!

selfridges&co food packaging

2008-10-28T16:58:00.001Z

For part of my research for my good project I came across this Selfridges&Co food packaging. I love the simplicity of the packaging as well as the colour consideration. I believe this is a perfect example for showing simplicity works - you do not need to create some really busy packaging as the message would be lost.

I definitely want to keep this is mind for my TissueAid packaging. Colour and layou are key.

university of warwick poker logos

2008-10-25T18:46:00.003+01:00

I was asked to create a new logo for the university of warwick poker society. Below is my final design. This is the sewn version for the hoodies.

I am pleased with the results, especially as this is my first 'design job'!

keetra/dean/dixon

2008-10-24T20:18:00.002+01:00

I have been a fan of this website for a while now and decided to include some of her work for my good project research.
First is a mail it about giggling. Interesting use of folding paper. A simple design and bold colour really works well. It does not detract from the information contained and actually enhances it.

My initial idea for my latest project was about smiling/laughing and hugging. Therefore at the start of my research for this brief this 'anonymous hugging' was very useful. Drawn to the bold red and believe it works best without any other features of the body and face.

The last piece I am going to include is a 'heartbreak kit'. Included are plasters, badges, sewing kit and other sections. Below are the three parts of the project.

last one....www.crushed.co.uk

2008-10-24T17:25:00.001+01:00

Simply find this illustration interesting and think the bright colours work well together and create a strong contrast.

I am really drawn to this type of illustation, however I never seem able to re-create it in my own work. I do not think this is relevant to my project at the moment, however I do think it is an interesting use of colour. I limited selection of colours works well. Why confuse the piece by bringing other colours into it, stick with the same shades and tints. I also love the stock of this piece. This is definitely one thing I do need to start thinking about - what stock will work for my boxes and packaging. I also need to think about what mood and tone I am trying to portray.

more...www.crushed.co.uk

2008-10-24T17:17:00.001+01:00

marketing and campaigns....

Samsung Belle G600 Packaging.
This is relevant to my project at the moment (tissueaid) as it is all about packaging and appealing to men and women. I have now decided to use a seperate box and colour palette for men and then another box and colour palette for women. I believe this packaging works well for women, however is it too typical and expected? pink, hearts and ribbons? I think I want to be more subtle in my approach to the gender issue. Definitely no pink for women and no blue for men. I have put this piece in as I like the type and think the colours work really well together. Compliment each other a lot. I need to work on my colour palette and find a colour which can work for my logo and corporate ID throughout all the pieces of packaging.

www.crushed.co.uk

2008-10-23T17:11:00.004+01:00

Just having a little search on the internet and I came across this website. I have never heard of them before however I really like their work. They are quite a diverse business doing jobs from logo design to web to illustration. Below are two pieces of their illustration work. I love this first piece as my fountain pen is very special to me! I also think this piece works well due to the repetition and colour palette. This is inspiring me to try a more visual interpretation of my TissueAid project. I am mainly focusing on the type and nets. Perhaps this would work better?

double page spreads...

2008-10-20T16:41:00.002+01:00

As part of the ongoing colour for print project, we have been asked to produce 6 Double Page Spreads or A3 boards. Each one must inform the viewer about the different colour systems. The 6 we must talk about are: Spot Colour, Greyscale, Monotone, Duotone, CMYK and RGB.

I am not very pleased with these spreads and believe I need to do more work to them. The layout could be played with more. I also found writing the text the hardest part. I wasu nsure what I was trying to say so how was I meant to write it down?!

Below are my boards thus far....

playing/with/colour

2008-10-13T22:08:00.005+01:00

The top image is called 'subtractive colour'. This is because each colour blocks the reflection of colour, thus 'subtracts' colour. In other words the colours 'subtract' brightness from white. Hence the result of mixing all the colours together is black. This combination is CMYK and is for printing (litho or offset).

The next image is the exact reverse of subtractive colour. The more colours added the whiter and lighter it becomes. This is RGB and is used for computer monitors/screen based.

RGB colour model is used for screen instead of printing is because RGB has such a wide gamut that a printer cannot print all colours.

colour/models

2008-10-04T12:23:00.005+01:00

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1. CMYK - is short for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key black. Used in lithography printing process.
2. RGB - short for Red, Green and Blue and is screen based as it has such a large gamut.
3. Greyscale - composed exclusively of shades of neutral grey. Can vary from black (weakest intensity) to white (the strongest).
4. Duotone - when you print with two inks. However, you can also use three or four colours.
This is known as tritone and quadtone, respectfully.
5. Spot colour - one or more specially mixed colours.
6. Monotone - to print with one colour. However you can use the stock as another colour.

start/of/my/printing/investigation

2008-10-03T18:47:00.002+01:00

There are 4 print techniques I am going to investigate first.

I am going to start with rotary printing. This is an automated print process where the image is wrapped around a cylinder. Within this process there are 3 main types, offset lithography, rotogravure and flexography.
Offset lithography, more commonly referred to as litho, uses aluminium plates. The etched image rotates to transfer ink onto an offset blanket cylinder, which in turn transfers the ink to the paper surface.
Rotogravure (Gravure) uses copper plates (with mirror images). This process transfers the ink directly to the paper. The advantages of this process are that the plates are very durable, therefore brilliant for doing long runs, plus the colour quality is very high.
Flexography (Flexo) uses rubber polymer plates and an ink reservoir. A positive, mirror image is used and applies the sticky ink directly to the paper feed.
Digital printing uses codes to reproduce digital images on physical surfaces. No intermediate physical process.

Screen printing uses a woven mesh to create the image. The ink is forced through the mesh and touches the paper. The image is created by using an ink blocking stencil.
Pad printing is when a silicone pad is used to mould around the i and places a 2D design/image onto a 3D object. I.e. pens

collage_work

2008-09-30T18:22:00.011+01:00

Back in Leeds for year 2 and we started by developing our summer 'collections'. I decided to go down the path of photo collage and looked at artists such as David Hockney (below).

However, whilst I was looking for more artists and photographers I stumbled across Annie Yu. Who likes to cut & paste, making zines and collages as well as scribbling in her journal all day. Below I have added some of her collages. I like the different elements and sketches she includes, but it also the way in which she manages to put the pieces together as one large composition I love.

pret_a_manger

2008-09-30T18:13:00.004+01:00

Whilst in Gatwick Airport waiting for my flight we stopped for some food in pret a manger and I loved the napkin I was handed....(yes I took it holiday and all the way back, just so I could take a photo of it for my blog!!)

cafe_rouge

2008-09-30T18:03:00.008+01:00

Over the summer I was treated to a lovely lunch in cafe rouge. Whilst i was in there I noticed these extra menus......

I just love the flexibility of this menu, along with the style and colours selected. I believe it works very well and is definitely in fitting with the rest of cafe rouge.

packaging

2008-09-30T17:49:00.008+01:00

I am simply putting these images up on my blog as I love the style of packaging involved in wrapping a small eye shadow!

random_goodies...

2008-09-18T18:18:00.003+01:00

Some random objects I collected over the summer, simply because I liked them.

magazine_adverts

2008-09-18T17:38:00.001+01:00

Whilst having a relaxing sunday at home in pjs, reading the sunday newspapers and magazines I discovered the following two adverts. Both are completely different from each other, yet both catch my interest. First is this advert for Green and Blacks Organic Ice-cream. I love the old style of the layout, type and imagery. Everything is kept simple and clean yet the piece still manages to hold your interest.

Next is a modern typographic advert for Audi. I was initially drawn to this advert because of the unusual type. Then after closer inspection I realised all the letter forms are created using road signs, arrows, traffic lights etc. We see so many car adverts where the car is the main image followed by a tag line. However, by not including the car it makes this advert stand out from the crowd and makes you want to investigate further.

summer_reading

2008-09-18T17:32:00.001+01:00

In one of the hotels I stayed at during the summer there was a 'library' where you took your old books along and you were able to swap them for a book you have not read. I was drawn to this book as the illustrations on the cover stand out and the bold colour catches your eye. Since my holiday I have read more of these lighthearted books and each cover is a piece of art in its own right.

final major project for first year

2008-06-20T20:50:00.006+01:00

My first project for my first year. It was based on protecting your food from your flatmates. I designed a range of labels to stick onto your food packaging. The idea was you have to break the sticker to get into the food. I was really pleased with this final project, however, I believe I could have developed it more.

What is graphic design? Well . . .

2008-06-02T13:49:00.025+01:00

DEFINITION...

WHAT IS GRAPHIC DESIGN? From AIGA Career Guide

Suppose you want to announce or sell something, amuse or persuade someone, explain a complicated system or demonstrate a process. In other words, you have a message you want to communicate. How do you “send” it? You could tell people one by one or broadcast by radio or loudspeaker. That’s verbal communication. But if you use any visual medium at all—if you make a poster; type a letter; create a business logo, a magazine ad, or an album cover; even make a computer printout—you are using a form of visual communication called graphic design.

Graphic designers work with drawn, painted, photographed, or computer-generated images (pictures), but they also design the letterforms that make up various typefaces found in movie credits and TV ads; in books, magazines, and menus; and even on computer screens. Designers create, choose, and organize these elements—typography, images, and the so-called “white space” around them—to communicate a message. Graphic design is a part of your daily life. From humble things like gum wrappers to huge things like billboards to the T-shirt you’re wearing, graphic design informs, persuades, organizes, stimulates, locates, identifies, attracts attention and provides pleasure.

Graphic design is a creative process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas. The designer works with a variety of communication tools in order to convey a message from a client to a particular audience. The main tools are image and typography.

Image-based design Designers develop images to represent the ideas their clients want to communicate. Images can be incredibly powerful and compelling tools of communication, conveying not only information but also moods and emotions. People respond to images instinctively based on their personalities, associations, and previous experience. For example, you know that a chili pepper is hot, and this knowledge in combination with the image creates a visual pun.

In the case of image-based design, the images must carry the entire message; there are few if any words to help. These images may be photographic, painted, drawn, or graphically rendered in many different ways. Image-based design is employed when the designer determines that, in a particular case, a picture is indeed worth a thousand words.

Type-based design In some cases, designers rely on words to convey a message, but they use words differently from the ways writers do. To designers, what the words look like is as important as their meaning. The visual forms, whether typography (communication designed by means of the printed word) or handmade lettering, perform many communication functions. They can arrest your attention on a poster, identify the product name on a package or a truck, and present running text as the typography in a book does. Designers are experts at presenting information in a visual form in print or on film, packaging, or signs.

When you look at an “ordinary” printed page of running text, what is involved in designing such a seemingly simple page? Think about what you would do if you were asked to redesign the page. Would you change the typeface or type size? Would you divide the text into two narrower columns? What about the margins and the spacing between the paragraphs and lines? Would you indent the paragraphs or begin them with decorative lettering? What other kinds of treatment might you give the page number? Would you change the boldface terms, perhaps using italic or underlining? What other changes might you consider, and how would they affect the way the reader reacts to the content? Designers evaluate the message and the audience for type-based design in order to make these kinds of decisions.

Image and type Designers often combine images and typography to communicate a client’s message to an audience. They explore the creative possibilities presented by words (typography) and images (photography, illustration, and fine art). It is up to the designer not only to find or create appropriate letterforms and images but also to establish the best balance between them.

Designers are the link between the client and the audience. On the one hand, a client is often too close to the message to understand various ways in which it can be presented. The audience, on the other hand, is often too broad to have any direct impact on how a communication is presented. What’s more, it is usually difficult to make the audience a part of the creative process. Unlike client and audience, graphic designers learn how to construct a message and how to present it successfully. They work with the client to understand the content and the purpose of the message. They often collaborate with market researchers and other specialists to understand the nature of the audience. Once a design concept is chosen, the designers work with illustrators and photographers as well as with typesetters and printers or other production specialists to create the final design product.

Symbols, logos and logotypes Symbols and logos are special, highly condensed information forms or identifiers. Symbols are abstract representation of a particular idea or identity. The CBS “eye” and the active “television” are symbolic forms, which we learn to recognize as representing a particular concept or company. Logotypes are corporate identifications based on a special typographical word treatment. Some identifiers are hybrid, or combinations of symbol and logotype. In order to create these identifiers, the designer must have a clear vision of the corporation or idea to be represented and of the audience to which the message is directed.

PARTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN...
ILLUSTRATORS...(bring drawing skills to the table)

David_Foldvari
I can't get enough of his work...it's as simple as that!

Somehow, Foldvari manages to use a simple style of drawing in a very detailed way. There is an obvious understanding of the human figure as well as light and shadows. Along with a sensitive use of colour.

David Foldvari was born in Budapest, and has been living in the UK since 1986. Since graduating from the Royal College in London in 2001, his work has gained international recognition. Influenced by his Eastern European roots, his work often addresses subjects of alienation, identity and belonging; "Dealing with negative issues in my work helps to keep me balanced in real life". Recently his work has become more monochromatic, stark and melancholy whilst still managing to retain its humanity and dark humour. Increasingly his work is taking a more honest and personal direction and returning to its' fundamental roots. He now lives and works in Brighton, England.

PACKAGING...(another aspect of graphic design - bringing 3D crafting into the fold)

Leaf Packaging...
Google Image Result for http://galleries.ipcignite.com/cropp...

Really interesting and unique way of packaging a tea gift set. Material and colour have been carefully considered to fit the brand image and the product they are trying to sell.

Light Bulb Packaging
Google Image Result for http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/upl...
Interesting and unique idea. Basically, the 'Light Bulb Packaging' is a light designed by University of Brighton graduate Olivia Cheung that attempts to avoid waste by converting the packaging into product.
TYPOGRAPHY...(introduces writing into a piece, as well as creating a mood by the choice of font)

Oscar Diaz
My interest is typography has only recently developed. Before, I thought it was a boring topic and I did not realise the importance of it in graphic design and world we live in. Below are some pieces by Oscar Diaz. I am drawn to his work as it takes a (possible) dull subject and creates interesting and lively pieces. I especially like the bottom piece, where he has taken a number of photographs recording the ink travelling up the paper to reveal the type.

Interesting typography films from Vancouver Film School

YouTube - Typography from Vancouver Film School

Jonathan Barnbrook.
The first typography to gain my interest and respect! Again, I am drawn to his work due to the way in which he creates something fresh and interesting from a typeface. His typesheets are brilliant, can could stand on their own as a graphic device without the type!
Ma(n)son font "Mason has quickly become a much used and copied font, based on drawings made in Barnbrook's sketchbooks over a number of ears with added inspiration from 19th century Russian letterforms, Greek architecture and renaissance bibles. It has been used all over the world by companies such as the BBC and Walt Disney to give an ecclesiastical feeling to their graphics.

I believe this was the first font which actually caught my interest! Probably because its original name was MaNson - a mass murderer. Due to this, the press attention grew and Barnbrook was finally forced to remove the N (well his publisher did).

Jonathan Barnbrook

Typesheets...

The Hush Sound - Lions Roar

YouTube - The Hush Sound - Lions Roar I am drawn to this piece because of the interesting relationship between image and type. Would the piece be as strong without the images? I believe in some instances it would be stronger, it in other places I think the images are needed and add to the strength of the piece.

Stylo Design - Eight
Such a simple idea but pulled off really effectively and professionally. It is still easy to read but the 8's are very visible. A good balance.

PHOTOGRAPHY...(yet another element graphic design uses to show image)

Images from a blogger called 'boogie'. I am really drawn to these photographs. There is something about them which draws you in and makes you what to study them closer. I am especially interested in the top photograph. I really want to experiment which this media and way of writing type using light and a long exposure next year. i would also like to develop my overall photopgraphy skills next year.

GRAFFITI...(now this is where I question what is graphic design...)

Street artist Banksy has painted a mural on Essex Road, London, depicting two young children saluting while another child raises a Tesco carrier bag on a flagpole.

I love Banksy’s work. Yet another piece which captures the culture of Britain with tongue cemented firmly into cheek. However, this is obviously not normal graffiti tagging so which area does it fit into? Fine art? Graphic design? Graffiti? I am unsure to be honest, however I am tempted to say graphic design, as there is a message to the audience, it uses image and type, and it has an underlying depth to it.

SLOGANS...(definitely a tool for the graphic world)

Vinyl adhesive brand e-glue has launched an “I Love Copyright” campaign to raise awareness of intellectual property infringements facilitated by, er, design blogs like this one.

WEB_DESIGN...(another aspect of graphic design you could focus on)

The scroll-down page, called Good Things Should Never End, features a series of animated characters (like the one below) beside a rainbow-coloured river. It was created to promote Orange's Unlimited offers promotion to its UK customers. Basically, the webpage never
really ends! The designers were POKE and the animator is called REX.
Here is the link for it..... http://unlimited.orange.co.uk/flash/go

OVERALL...
I believe graphic design to be a tool of communication.

"Imagine if graphic design was banned, or just simply disappeared over night. There would be no written word, no newspapers, no magazines, no internet, no science to speak of. Everything would have to be painstakingly written by hand. Without design's process and ingredients - structure, organisation, word and image - we would have to receive all our information by the spoken word."

Graphic design is all around us, imposing meaning on the world. We engage with design everywhere, whether it be road signs or the washing label on our jacket.

Kate_Gibb

2008-05-18T08:17:00.002+01:00

I love her work!!! This is what I aspire to create! In my 2nd year I want to make use of the printmaking skills I have learnt, rather than letting them go to waste. Kate Gibb is one of the leading contemporary silk screen artists and is probably best known for her acclaimed work in the field of music design for artists including the Chemical Brothers, The Magic Numbers, Suede, Simian, My Computer and Bob Marley, to name but a few. Kate Gibb's approach to the medium has more in common with painting than it does to the multiple production associated with silkscreen printing. Typically she works on one off originals or very low runs of hand produced images, applying layer upon layer of colour in a way that results in each print having its own unique characteristics.

Jasper_Goodall

2008-05-16T08:33:00.001+01:00

His name was brought up in a crit a few weeks ago and I decided to investigate further. His work is not my normal choice or style, however, I am drawn to the symmetry in his digital pieces.

Klaus_Haapaniemi

2008-05-13T08:24:00.001+01:00

Finnish born, now London based artist Klaus Haapaniemi got interested in illustration after seeing some well-designed Russian animations on TV when he was only 8 years old. After graduating from Lahti Design-Institute, Klaus lived in Italy where he worked as a key-print designer for Diesel and Diesel Stylelab. Klaus Haapaniemi's long list of commercial clients include print collections for Clements Ribeiro, Cacharel, Marimekko and Levis, plus store identity for Selfridges, an ever expanding range of his own published books and wall tapestry collection. The list is endless. Not bad for a guy who says that he hasn’t made much professional progress since he was ten.

Photography

2008-05-09T08:06:00.001+01:00

- here is gone - by *linedanser on deviantART just an interesting image and i am drawn to the colour palette

Jonathan_Barnbrook

2008-04-24T10:32:00.001+01:00

One thing about Barnbrook's work I love is the way in which he produces the 'font in context typesheet'. Each time he takes a fresh, new approach to displaying the font.

Olympic_Posters

2008-04-23T17:45:00.001+01:00

Google Image Result for http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/upl...

The V&A Museum of Childhood in London will host an exhibition of Olympic Games posters spanning from 1900 to the present day. More than 100 posters will be on display, including work by David Hockney and Andy Warhol. The exhibition will be at the V&A Museum of Childhood from 17 May 2008 until 7 September 2008. It will then tour to museums and galleries in the UK and internationally as part of the build up to the London 2012 Olympics. Posters are an important means of communication for the Olympic Games and shape expectations of the Games to come. The exhibition explores how the posters were used to convey messages to an international audience about the look and feel of individual Games through eye-catching and memorable imagery.

What is graphic design? . . . information . . .

2008-04-18T08:02:00.001+01:00

Google Image Result for http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/upl...

A food company annual report that has to be cooked first... I was looking for designers and companies which went the extra mile with their annual reports and I stumbled across this. I think it is brilliant and so unique - communication design at its best.
Basically, there is a big book with all the numbers, reports etc and hen inside that is a small booklet which has blank pages. That is until you cook it for 25 minutes at 200oc and then the pages reveal secret recipes from the food company.

Kerry_Roper

2008-04-01T12:34:00.001+01:00

A designer who has influenced me for a long period now.....more of his work to come...

a good photographer with a bad fact!

2008-03-09T20:29:00.004Z

Whilst on Anwen's profile I found the following address, www.thelovelyroad.com, it is simply polaroid photos Scoot Hammond has taken over 5 years or so.

I love the simplicity of the pieces and the details draw you in. However, whilst enjoying this work I discovered something quite worrying.....In late 2008, Polaroid Co. plans to entirely discontinue their line of remaining polaroid films (Type 600 and Spectra are among the popular used labels).

I can't believe it!!! Polaroid is still such a popular way of recording information and images. Why would they want to stop it?
I have found this petition online which is trying to stop polaroid from doing this....
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/save-polaroid-film.html
PLEASE sign it and don't let them stop manufacturing the films! This is a classic, time-and-tried art form.

a random stumble!

2008-03-09T19:45:00.004Z

After going to the 11th international contemporary artists' book fair on friday I decided to look some artists up. I was on Anwen Williams page, when I stumbled across this website, which I love! I'm drawn to all aspects of it, the jewelery itself, the website design and just the general layout. I've included the link so you have a little look yourself.....

www.helplessromantic.co.uk

11th international contemporary artists' book fair

2008-03-07T17:50:00.006Z

At the moment one of my projects for my graphic design course is to produce a book of 100. So, as a result we visited the fair being held at Leeds university. I could not believe what some people had achieved, there was such a diverse range of media, style, size and colour present at the fair I had no idea where to begin!

Reflecting back on my afternoon at the fair I have picked a collective of book artists and illustrators called 'Lucky Dip'. I loved their work and was definitely inspired by them. Below are images and website links so you can have a look.....

This piece is by Alison Hardcastle . . . . www.alisonhardcastle.co.uk

This piece is by Ruth Martin.

And this is done by Georgina Littlejohn.

There are another two designers in Lucky Dip; Staffan Gnosspelius and Anwen Williams. Anwen's website is ..... www.anwenwilliams.com
I like the page layout and how easy it is to move around the site. Her work reminds me a little bit of Kerry Roper.

THE MAIN WEBSITE = http://www.myspace.com/luckydipcollective

Rosie_Irvine

2008-03-02T13:27:00.001Z

Love the simple shapes and colours which create such interesting and eye-catching pieces.

DeviantART

2008-02-26T12:54:00.001Z

Digital Ikhtiar by ~thomasdian on deviantART

I am just drawn to the style and the way the text works with the image. A bit like Si Scott.

Morning_Breath

2008-02-17T20:47:00.001Z

UPPER PLAYGROUND FIFTY24SF BOOKS: "The early bird" by morning breath With a strong background in skateboarding and graffiti art, MOrning Breath Inc., founded by Doug Cunningham and Jason Noto have created a 96 page novella chronicling the fine art and design work which have brought them worldwide notoriety.

Genevieve_Gauckler

2008-02-10T10:18:00.001Z

Geneviève Gauckler is based in Paris where she lives and works with her shiba dog, Kawa. Recently Geneviève has been focusing on commercial projects including some experimental videos with Pleix, exhibitions at Colette in Paris, Tokyo and Someday Gallery in Melbourne. When asked about her formative influences, she sites an early childhood fascination with the colourful packaging on her favourite breakfast cereals and the title sequence of her favorite TV series, “Flipper”. She spends any she time has available traveling around the world, giving lectures, exhibiting work and obsessively taking photos for her ever expanding collages. Her favorite places are Japan and India but she also loves spending time in the French countryside accompanied by her faithful dog, and of course her laptop.

Wallpaper...

2008-02-04T08:05:00.001Z

Japanese & Korean Wallpaper Doesn't answer the question 'what is graphic design?' However, I am buzzing it as I want to include it in my blog. I find this style so rich and powerful, I have always been a fan of Japanese painting.

Just liked it!

2008-01-15T20:29:00.001Z

Just liked it!!!

I_heart_typefaces

2008-01-14T13:54:00.001Z

Some examples of the random and unique fonts I am drawn towards.

Typography. I Love Typography, devoted to fonts, typefaces a...

Sanna_Annukka

2008-01-04T16:45:00.001Z

Her colour palette is normally quite limited per image. I believe this works in her favour and causes the images to be bolder and more powerful. I also like the use of repetition, creates unique patterns from everyday objects or people.

collaboration_for_BECK

2008-01-02T15:51:00.001Z

BECK The artwork for his most recent album, 'The Information', took the form of a collaboration between 20 leading graphic artists curated by London design team Big Active and Beck himself. The album package is sold featuring a blank cover, each CD containing one of four different sticker sheets encouraging the listener to create their own unique artwork in a way that is highly reflective of Beck's idiosyncratic approach to his music. To celebrate this collection of talent this unique piece of sticker art memorabilia including work by Jody Barton, Estelle & Simon, David Foldvari, Genevieve Gauckler, Michael Gillette, Jasper Goodall, Han Lee, Mat Maitland, Will Sweeney, Kam Tang, Kensei Yabuno and Vania Zouravliov was created.

rabbits everywhere!

2007-12-20T17:45:00.001Z

Whilst looking for the Skoda advert I came across this one for Sony Bravia. I used to love watching it on the tv and it managed to keep my attention right up to the end every since time (not many adverts do this!). I think it is so creative and it is definitely a fresh way to advertise.

3 cars, 3 very different adverts

2007-12-19T18:58:00.001Z

The first advert is showing the audience how much time and effort (and engineers) goes into creating a unique and brilliant car. I believe the advert is trying to show the viewer that Audi are being more diverse and modern. I, personally, enjoy this advert because you can see the development and stages.

The second advert, is older but I believe it is still relevant and is a powerful piece . The music is very catchy and whenever I hear it I think of this advert, which is always a good sign for the company. It has a very different tempo to the previous one, which will probably attract a younger market.

Finally, the Skoda 'cake' advert. Yet again a very different media choice to represent a very different meaning and to target a different market. I think it also shows the viewer how confident skoda are in the brand.

Overall, these three adverts are so diverse and unique, yet all of them are trying to sell you are car...which one tempts you?

hot chip

2007-12-18T17:05:00.002Z

I am a big fan of hot chip at the moment and I love how unique and diverse their music videos are. I am drawn to the first one because of the bold use of colour and the way in which they bring humour into the video. Whereas I enjoy the second one for a completely different reason...it reminds me of art attack, the kids tv programme I used to watch religiously when I was a child! I used to love seeing all the materials and objects before Neil Buchanan started and trying to guess what he was going to create!

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

2007-11-07T10:31:00.003Z

Below are a few photographs of YSP I took whilst visiting on a fresh, crisp November morning. I was initially drawn to the sculpture park as my one of my favourite artists, Andy Goldsworthy, works here on a regular basis.

I was first introduced to his work as a young GCSE art student and have been fascinated by his work with nature and the elements ever since!

Book binding

2007-10-28T14:22:00.001Z

On the 18th October I was taught how to make hardback books. I really enjoyed the process, and found it very rewarding, especially as you finish up with a very professional looking book which you, yourself, created.

Below is the process we all followed to create the books. There was a large amount of information to take in during the lesson so as we went along I recorded brief notes that I could later refer back to.

1. Fold each individual section down the centre crease with the bonefolder.
2. Mark an inch inwards along the new seam from the edges of the section.
3. Place the tapes evenly between the two marks you have just created and mark each side of them.
4. Use a ruler to replicate these lines onto all the other sections.
5. With a craft knife cut the ruler marks. Make sure you go the whole way through each section.
6. Next, using masking tape, attach the two pieces of tape to the edge of your work area.
7. Place the bottom section of the book on the work surface so it measures up with the two pieces of tape now stuck to the side.
8. Thread the needle, making sure you double it up.
9. Make sure you leave plenty of tail at the beginning of the sewing.
10. Weave your way through each hole you created using the craft knife. (Make sure you sew around the two pieces of tape). Once, you reach the end, lay the next section of book on top and then weave through each hole of the next section.
11. Then double knot the thread to the tail you left at the beginning. When tying any knot make sure you pull he needle and thread upwards and away.
12. You then add the 3rd layer of section and, like before, sew through the holes.
13. However, once you get to the end this time you must tie a kettle knot.
14. Keep repeating this process until all the sections are tied together.
15. Place in a vice or under some heavy weights. This helps it flatten down.
16. Fill in the seam of the book with PVA glue.
17. Add two more coats of PVA, making sure each coat is dry before adding the next.
18. Next appeal a strip of binding fabric onto the seam of the book, use PVA as the adhesive.
19. You can now cut the ends of the two pieces of tape off.
20. Trim your selected coloured card to roughly the size of the book and glue to the front and back pages.
21. Once dry, trim the edges of the book to create crisp, clean lines.
22. Cut out two rectangles of cardboard, normally 3mm bigger than your book.
23. Also measure the spine of the book.
24. Get some special fabric, roughly A2 size. Lay this face down, place the rectangles and spine piece on the fabric and draw around.
25. Cut a 45 degree angle on each corner, making sure you doing go too close to the actual corner.
26. Using very little PVA, glue the cardoard and spine onto the fabric, making sure there are no bubbles.
27. Fold the corners of the fabric over the cardboard to create a crisp edge.
28. Stick the coloured paper to the cover starting with the front and then moving the book so that you can stick down the back cover.

What am I?

2007-10-28T13:51:00.002Z

What did you used to be?
Naive.

What are you now?
Developing, learning and growing as a person.

What do you want to be, and how?
Successful, enjoying my career (not many people can say they do) and loving life. I intend to reach these targets by working hard, listening to my piers and tutors, but also by believing in myself.

Egon Schiele

2007-10-18T18:59:00.001+01:00

Self-Portrait with Orange Cloak
1913
Watercolour, gouache, and pencil.
Signed and dated, lower right.
48 x 31.5 cm
Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna

The piece I am going to evaluate is a self-portrait by Egon Schiele. The painting, done using oil paint, shows himself, particularly thin, in the centre of the canvas, with a lifted hand holding his chin. His head is tilted to the right. Using acrylic paint Schiele shows a mixture of different strokes to create the overall image. The texture of the jacket has been created by bold brush stroke, whereas the face still uses bold strokes but just a lot thinner.

This piece shows the twisted, obscure and warped way in which Egon Schiele views himself. He created this piece when he was a young man, however the image portrayed to the viewer is completely different. His hands for instance, are extremely thin and aged, unlike the real life subject.

Egon Schiele either dislikes his actual face and is trying to hide it in this abstracted piece or he is trying to express more than just his facial features. In other words is he trying to capture his feelings, emotions and views instead of an accurate portrait? This would be backed up with the fact that the painting is so powerful and full of vigor. Schiele uses such harsh, bold outlines that it suggests he was trying to show the viewer more than an image of himself. Whichever Egon Schiele was actually trying to achieve this piece is still successful.

Graham Sutherland

2007-10-18T18:54:00.001+01:00

Portrait of Sommerset Maugham

1953
Original lithograph in black ink.
Signed in ballpoint ink, and dated 'Dec 22nd '54'.
Also inscribed: Trial Proof (in ink) and No 4 in pencil.

I intend to look at a pencil study Graham Sutherland produced of the famous writer Somerset Maughan. The piece shows Maughan as an elderly man, with an expression that conveys wisdom, intelligence, and a touch of humour. There appear to be deep laughter lines around his eyes.

Sutherland has managed to capture Maughan so well due to an extraordinarily high quality of observation. Sutherland has paid close attention to the surface of the skin creating a face very much like a rugged landscape. This is an interesting link between old, worn faces and landscapes. I believe Sutherland has made this link so intense by using light. Maughan’s face is lit strongly from the left hand side (the sitter’s right). The shading on the right accentuates the wrinkles and the sculptural qualities of his face, making it look more 3D.

However, to keep the study looking like a face Sutherland has used a series of lines and strokes to define the muscles.

The pencil study is a sketch, which was part of his research towards a formal portrait of Maughan.

Jenny Saville

2007-10-18T18:38:00.001+01:00

Plan
1993, oil on Canvas,
274.5 x 213.5cm
The Saatchi Collection, London

Closed Contact #10
1996

Jenny Saville is my first female artist I am going to look at. She was born in Cambridge, England, in 1970. She is a contemporary British painter and one of the Young British Artists (YBAs). She is known for her monumental images of obese women, usually using herself as the model.

She gained her degree at Glasgow School of Art and was then awarded a six month scholarship to the University of Cincinnati, where she says that she saw "Lots of big women. Big white flesh in shorts and T-shirts. It was good to see because they had the physicality that I was interested in." She studied at the Slade School Of Art 1992-1993. At the end of her postgraduate education at the Slade, the leading British art collector Charles Saatchi purchased her entire senior show and commissioned works for another two years. In 1994 she spent many hours observing plastic surgery operations in New York in 1994. Today, Saville works and lives in London and is a tutor of figure painting at the Slade School of Art.

Saville is unique amongst the YBAs for her dedication to the "traditional" art of oil painting. Her painterly style has been compared to that of Lucian Freud and Rubens. Her paintings are usually much larger than life size. They are strongly pigmented and give a highly sensual impression of the surface of the skin as well as the mass of the body. She sometimes adds marks onto the body, such as white "target" rings. Since her debut in 1992, her focus has remained on the body.

Her self-portraits are different from any other artists’ due to the obvious fact that she paints her body not her face. This will hopefully, give me a different perspective on artists developing their styles over time.

The two pieces I have picked were both painted within a time gap of 3 years. Therefore, it is harder to notice a significant difference. However, having said that there are differences which stand out. The first one shows her body and face looking down onto the viewer; and the second shows her body squashed against glass above the viewer. This shows she is experimenting with different angles and perspectives. She is testing out which angles create the most impact and impression.

Jenny Saville is an artist who is still experimenting with positions; light sources; and perspectives. Therefore, I do not believe Saville has established her style beyond knowing what her subject matter is; distorting her body. She is still evolving as an artist.

Tai-Shan Schierenberg

2007-10-18T18:32:00.001+01:00

Glass
2004
Oil on copper

Tai-Shan Schierenberg is a painter of portraits, figures and landscapes. He studies at St.Martin’s College and The Slade Schools of Art (1981-87) and has subsequently had one-man shows at Flowers East in Hackney.

Schierenberg’s work generally consists of intimate portraits of family and friends. However, in 1989 he won first prize in the National Portrait Gallery’s John Player Portrait Award and as part of the price was commissioned to paint the portrait or playwright John Mortimer for the Gallery’s collection. He has also painted portraits of Lord Carrington (1994), Lord Sainsbury (2002) and most recently Seamus Heaney (2004). All of which are held at the National Portrait Gallery.

His subtle landscapes show remarkable insight into the content – psychological and aesthetic – of his work. Schierenberg sees the paint as not only a medium for expressing his ideas but he also uses the paint as flesh. His work is both abstract and realist; tense but sensitive; grand and inconclusive; violent and melancholic; physically intense and aesthetically detached.

He, like Richard Diebenkorn, uses bold colours and brush strokes to create light and dark areas on the object. This piece, called ‘glass’ highlights this use of stroke. The crisp markings really create a sense of the glass and the light reflecting off it. The simplicity of the composition adds to the impact of the confident stokes. There is also the straight line going down from the left to the right, this line can be seen in all three of the pictures shown here. It is a prominent feature in his work. It helps the viewers eye be drawn down to the reflection of the glass and the light shining through it. I also think the light reflections in the glass add to the whole piece, as they allow more of the glass’s detail to be picked up upon. I really enjoy this piece, as it is so simple and uncomplicated.

However, studying the piece in more detail, I believe, the simplicity of the piece is its secret; there is a deeper meaning/secret story in this piece, hidden in the glass. Where has the glass been? Why this glass? If you look at the piece in this way it develops beyond the ‘simple’ piece I first thought it was.

Lucian Freud

2007-10-18T17:46:00.001+01:00

Self-portrait

1963, oil on canvas

National Portrait Gallery

Reflection (self-portrait)
1985, oil on canvas
51 x 56 cm
Private collection

Lucian Freud is a German-born British painter. He was born in 1922 in Berlin, came to England with his parents in 1931, and acquired British nationality in 1939. His work has taken many turns and different directions over the years. He is a very diverse artist who has stood the test off time.

His early work was meticulously painted, so he has sometimes been described as a ‘Realist’, but the subjectivity and intensity of his work has always set him apart from the traditional characteristic of most British figurative art since the Second World War. In his later work (from the late 1950s) his handling became much broader.

In the second piece Freud has created an image of impressive force and truth. The self-portrait is a good likeness, but, as all portraits must, it emphasises an aspect of the sitter – in this case, the effects of ageing, unflinchingly observed.

Like Rembrandt, Freud has painted himself continually throughout his life. This results in Freud documenting his facial changing features and his work as an artist over the years. During these years Freud has painted himself in all manner of ways: caught in a shaving-mirror; from below; and, memorably, wearing nothing but the old boots he wears for painting to avoid getting pigment on his shoes.

The two pieces I have picked show a sharp contrast. The first, ‘Self-portrait’, 1963, oil on canvas, is bold, with strong brush strokes capturing the essence of Freud’s face. In this piece Freud is more interested in form and how the piece works overall. However, with time his work developed into being more detailed and accurate. In the second piece, ‘Reflection’ produced in 1985 using oil on canvas, shows traces of the bold markings Freud used to use so much. However, they have moved into the background and detail and precision have taken over. The piece shows the eye is on he golden section; therefore aiding the viewer to be led around the piece.

Lucian Freud’s way of painting, the detail he creates, has changed over time as I have talked about however, the colour palette he uses is still the same; earthy browns, yellows, reds and greens. And yes, his age and changing face are shown clearly in his pieces. No one in art history has scrutinised his own appearance for more of his life than Lucian Freud. The truth is important to him.

Freud has one of the most powerful and unusual personalities in contemporary art, but – paradoxically, perhaps – he believes strongly that the only important thing is the picture itself. That is perhaps why his titles are often calculatedly general – Naked Portrait, Head of Girl, Man Smoking.