Study Task 2 - Context of Practice Essay

Triangulation & Referencing Task Worksheet

Theme: Politics / Society / Culture / History / Technology / Aesthetics

Focus:

Book reference (author, year of publish) e.g. “Jones, 2015”	Relevant key points in summary (use bullet points)	Additional notes (e.g. for or against)
Odling – Smee, 2002, pg 6 – 8, 11-16, 21 -24, 29 -35, 40, 42-43	Only recently has handmade not been seen as outdated  Computers have dominated design and created an excess of visually perfect graphics Digital production methods provide speed and ease which means designers can become complacent which can hold the practice back As a tool computers enhanced creative possibilities and reduced arduous tasks in design The abundance of ‘Swiss Style’ became the norm in the 1970s and this mass marketed style was applied everywhere which meant there was little individual personality at the time, which lead to experimental techniques rising in popularity as a reaction to this. The use of computers for mass market design has led to everything having a homogenised and standard look. By placing a multitude of visual components into software it is ultimately blending the distinction between medias and creating a standard look to everything Designers have become ‘creatively disengaged’ Designers have lost an understanding of the basic tools and principles that they are using as graphic designers. The use of pre-created design elements ‘are often a camouflage for a lack of creativity’ and mean designers have lost an understanding of the basic tools and principles within graphic design creation. Handmade graphics are unique with a sense of believability which is trusted more than sleek computer graphics. By avoiding the obvious route and making use of the range of processes available it is possible to combine technology and traditional techniques to create more imaginative work. The high levels of reproduction in digital design are quickly and easily done which questions the notion of quality within the practice. Analogue techniques have a much greater depth and subtlety which is not as easily matched in digital design People are drawn to the tactility of analogue printing methods which is not simulated in litho – printing Being physically involved with the process of creating the work allows more opportunity to be creative and innovative as there is a tangible connection between the work and designer. Traditional techniques have become rarer which increases there draw Imperfections make analogue techniques more appealing as this is in direct contrast to the easily obtainable perfect printing in digital design. There is association between analogue techniques and trust The work becomes more precious because it is clear time and effort has been put into the work which increases its value Drawing skills have been replaced by computers meaning the craft within the creation of the work has been lost and therefore this reduces respect for the design process. Whilst computers have huge creative freedom this can also be disabling because of lack of boundaries Sketching is quicker and more spontaneous Analogue techniques require decisions to be more considered as they can have a direct impact on the overall outcome. The public understand the ease at which something can be created digitally with little or no training whereas something hand created is seen as more skilful and a show of creative ability. Computers allow designers to do precise tasks that would be impossible by hand By combining analogue and digital techniques innovative work can be created as long as the computer is seen as one tool amongst many.	The New Handmade Graphics – beyond digital design For Handmade
Bierut et al , 1994, pg 83 - 87	Digital tools allow typography to be used and made by anyone Traditionalists suggest that there will be a decline in standards with the increased accessibility of technology Evangelists suggest that everyone will have their own personal typefaces that will be as individual as their own handwriting Some designs can be costly and time consuming to make using traditional techniques, computers rectify this. Swiss modernism bore neutral and objective sans serif letterforms which new typographers have reacted against by using technology to create quirky subjective typefaces which have multiple meanings allowing the reader to become a participant in the construction of the message Typefaces may begin to simulate the effect of print by decaying parts or printing things upside down, which suggests a discontent with digital outputs There has been a revaluation of the handmade by designers who are unhappy with the perfection of professional graphic design, seeing other techniques as having authenticity and expression. Deconstructivism can be used to allow the viewer to discover hidden meanings and complexities within language.	Looking Closer : Critical Writigs on Graphic Design – Essay by Rick Poyner
Bierut et al, 1994, pg 171 - 173	There is a deeper connection between drawing and design than just having the ability to express design decisions in sketches. It is a physical process in which deep instincts determine how to express and experience form and space. It increases our knowledge of what we observe and prompts associative responses that encourage further drawing. It allows designers to use their surroundings as a visual material for their work.	Looking Closer: Critical Writigs on Graphic Design – Essay by James McMullan
Bierut et al, 1997, pg 94 -97	‘Does technology extinguish creativity and originality, or does it expand them’ There is usually initial resistance to technology then accommodation and finally acceptance to its use Machines have replaced the hand in precision and speed which has led to the once scarce becoming common. The introduction of technology has also altered our perception of originality and creativity and now computers provide storage that allow infinite recall. Creativity occurs when both memory and forgetfulness work in balance. Memory provides context whilst forgetfulness makes room for invention.	Looking Closer 2: Critical Writing’s on Graphic Design – Essay by Paul Saffo
Chen Design Associates	The computer removes imperfections and the preciseness makes the work less human More thought and a deeper connection between the sender and receiver when handmade External factors such as the rise of computers and the recession has led people to like making simple things using simple materials. Designers are more engaged with the process of making when using analogue techniques, this connection is retained within the work Handmade work has a tangibility and humanness which is essential in design. Anyone can use software to create design with little knowledge It is often harder to create something simple but well by hand. Makers mark creates a connection between the viewer and the person who has made the work, it is more believable and real to them. Handmade elements communicate a reality and truthfulness to the audience which has more emotive qualities than digital design. Handmade elements evoke deeper emotions and show the passion of the maker. It is not about aesthetics, instead it is about the human connection between the maker and receiver. Handmade design is not perfect, instead it is full of meaning and is more personal to the viewer.	Fingerprint 2 -  Article by Colin Barry
Creative Bloq	The recession has made people more financially conscious so they are willing to have a go at things in order to save money Returned to the handmade as a response to the mechanised sterility and machine made aesthetic of modernism Consumers expect brands to have integrity with history and provenance which is important to portray within brand identities Digital processes enhance aesthetics but lose character within a design Physicality of creating means design becomes responsive and is influenced by process The designer is not always in control when using analogue techniques and is responsive to materials. Improvisation often lead to the most interesting results. Handmade processes allow a deeper understanding of the design process and how things are made Digital and handmade can inform each other and work together to create interesting design. Tools for using a computer are very limited whereas by hand the physical process is much broader. Handmade takes time and effort meaning the final outcome has integrity and a story behind it which is more engaging to viewers. Imperfections within a work allow the viewer an insight into how it was made. Hacking technology allows people to use it in new ways and create something more personal and reflective of their needs Handmade does not mean old or nostalgic. By using both traditional and digital techniques through improvisation and adaptation design can move forward in innovative ways.	Creative Bloq: The Future of handmade design
Poyner Pg 96 – 97, 114 -115	The computer’s ability to delete does not leave any trace of what has come before, meaning accidents do not have lasting consequences and instead can lead to unexpected directions. Digital design has a less certain quality in which nothing is ever finished. Digital design allows a much greater quantity of imagery and detail to be used, which is not always possible with analogue techniques. Graphic excess and complexity have become usual. Minimalism has periodically had resurgences in commercial design	No More Rules: Graphic Design and Postmodernism