Sunday, 9 October 2011

Study Task 2 - What Is Graphic Design - Part 1



Identify 5 examples of Graphic Design appearing in different contexts: 


Book covers 




Every book we read has a cover that has been carefully designed to portray the contents by a designer/illustrator. I particularly like Harriet Russell's collection of illustrated book covers as they are simple and clear yet at the same time very eye-catching. I think these factors are what make successful book covers. 


http://www.harrietrussell.co.uk/


Packaging 




All packaging contains some aspects of Graphic Design. Whether it is typography, illustration or imagery,  packaging relies on these things to advertise a product. However the way that these factors are used and presented determines how well a product will sell. I love the design of 'Jimmy's iced coffee' mainly because of the typography and the colourways.  


http://www.jimmysicedcoffee.com/


Smart Phones 




As technology has developed within the 'smartphone' market, so have the graphics. For example the iphone successfully displays good use of design in layout, symbols and legibility. Graphic Design in this market is constantly becoming more and more progressive. Always trying to make this communicate in a simpler, quicker way. 


http://www.thegamersmag.com/


Stationery 



Everyday items such as stationery, display Graphic Design. Often a range of patterns, colours, photographs and illustrations are used to create an aesthetically pleasing piece of design. The target audience is also a big determination of how well a product or pattern will sell. 

http://www.paperchase.co.uk/

Posters  




Posters is one of the most common ways to communicate something. Anything from events, films, bands, all of these can be advertised through the design of posters. How well they are being promoted depends on the composition and relationship between image and type within the poster. 


http://www.mediastorehouse.com/


Identify 5 examples of Graphic Design performing different functions:

To raise awareness 




Graphic Design is widely used to raise global issues and attempt to communicate a message successfully to the target audience. Often the more shocking or controversial an campaign/advert is, the more effective it is. 


www.nspcc.org.uk 


To promote/advertise 




Design such as CD covers, posters, magazine covers etc. are all trying to promote or advertise a product. For example this 'blur' CD cover I have chosen is typically trying to promote a band in the most effective way the designer feels is possible. 


http://sleevage.com/blur-the-best-of/


To Inform 



Information graphics is a very effective way in informing a target audience. Even though I personally don't find it particularly eye-catching, some of the design has obviously been thoroughly thought about in terms of layout and keeping it straight to the point. 

http://www.theitguys.biz/tag/information-graphics/

To communicate


Graphic Design is used to communicate something to an audience. Leaflets and flyers etc. do exactly this. Through the use of type, layout and imagery a designer should be able to communicate clearly what the brief has expressed. 

http://starbucks.co.uk/

To guide


Graphic design is used a lot within maps and guides. Good Graphic Design, in this case, should be able to communicate internationally. The purpose of a guide is to be simple and easier to apply, therefore well chosen layout, keys and colourways are the main factors for a successful map/guide. For example, the London Underground is one of the most recognised and understandable form of maps in today's world. 

http://underground-maps-pictures.blogspot.com/

Identify 5 examples of Graphic Design delivering different types of messages:

Educational 


Whether it's on prospectus's, posters or leaflets, Graphic Design is definitely used to get across an educational message. it may be done subtly or more obviously, but we are constantly being educated through good design even if we don't realise it. 

http://a-makin0811-fmp.blogspot.com/

Comical 


All over the world Graphic Design is used to entertain people and make people laugh. Often light-hearted slogans and fun colours are used to express this. 

http://www.keepcalmgallery.com/

Health and Safety 




Health and Safety posters, adverts etc. use simplistic and eye-catching Graphics. It needs factors like this to make it effective and have a purpose for whats it's trying to communicate. 

http://www.optima.org.uk/

Instructions 

Step by Step instructions definitely use a repetitive way of Graphic Design. Even from a far, you can often tell by the layout that it is instructions that a poster or leaflet is trying to communicate.  These days, you get instructions for most products therefore they are more effective when they are presented simply as they are targeting a wide audience. 

http://www.doobybrain.com/

Fictional 


Graphic Design is used in storybooks and comic strips to get a message across. Illustration is a very effective way to present a fictional storyline. 

http://www.fanpop.com/

Identify 5 examples of Graphic Design produced using different media:

Paper 




For me, designers such as Yulia Brodskaya are what make using paper as one of my most favourite medias to work in. I that it is a material that we take for granted. So much inspirational and effective work can be produced from such a simple technique. 

http://www.artyulia.com/

Printmaking 


Printmaking is another media that I find incredibly effective. I like the idea that it is a traditional process yet still creates eye-catching work. I like the simplicity that the effect offers and the endless opportunities with the technique. 

http://www.sassandperil.com/

Letterpress 



Again, letterpress is a traditional technique which portrays an authentic feel to a piece of Graphic Design. I like the fact that it focuses on type. Also, the fact that it can be quite a long process makes the work even more valuable to the designer. 



Installations 




Sometimes bigger really is better. Graphic installations is another media in which Graphic Design is often used to communicate something. Even though it is time consuming and harder to resource it is a way in which presenting an idea can be very effective. And often it takes on a different perspective in response to a brief.

http://aestheticinterlude.blogspot.com/

Digital 



With the digital world forever developing, it makes sense for Graphic Design has its own input on the matter. Nowadays, designers are taking digital art to a whole new level and creating mind-boggling pieces. 

http://www.thereis.co.uk/typography-one/

Identify 5 examples of Graphic Design produced at different scales: 

Costers (small scale) 


Even everyday items such as coasters have a design in which someone has carefully selected. 

http://blog.thefind.com/

Hot Air Balloons (large scale)



Using hot air balloons to communicate or promote something is very effective. However it isn't the cheapest way to try and sell a product nor can it be done regularly. 

http://www.ballooning.fsnet.co.uk/

Shop Windows (large scale)



http://www.woozybmx.com/blog/woozybmx/selfridges-window-displays/

http://jstjessie.wordpress.com/tag/anthropologie/

Shop display windows are becoming more and more extravagant as time goes on. The time and effort the goes into designing one is incredible. It is a major factor which draws in the shops target audience. 

Business Cards (small scale) 


Because business cards are such a popular thing you often see many with poor Graphic Design. However, equally there are those which communicate a service with display good layout and a clear concept. 

http://creativefan.com/50-inspirational-letterpress-business-cards/

Cards (small scale) 


Whether it is Birthday cards, christmas cards or just a thank-you card, nowadays shops offer a range of variations. You can often find ones that are done through printmaking or just simple illustration and typography. 

http://www.studiotota.com/

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