Study Task 3 : Visual Analysis Essay

Image Analysis Notes, Key Quotes and Ideas

Sooji Lee - Machined Bodoni typeface

-        Typeface created using a handmade machine

-        Individual strokes are mapped out by the designer to create each letter

-        Machine then uses this info to create the drawn Bodoni typeface

-        The mechanical instrument is used as a ‘printing’ tool to create work – will be slightly different each time – like letterpress process

-        Becomes a new typeface through the use of the mechanical process – able to create something new when approached in a different way

-        Digital or handmade?

-        Removes makers mark? – follows the exact position of mapped marks of the maker – true reflection of maker’s mark -  but does the mechanised system take away the human touch? Although hand mapped the maker does not physically come into contact with the work

-        Machine takes on the process of writing – letters become drawn in appearance which contrasts with the original digital Bodoni typeface

-        Turns the typeface into a written format – people refer to typing as writing – the tool plays with this concept

-        Drawn not printed – longer process – less industrial – more handmade?

-        Time consuming able to create a more precise finish with the use of a computer in a shorter period of time

‘Designers have lost an understanding of the basic tools and principles that they are using as graphic designers’

Maker created the tool and mapped out each individual letter – will have an intimate knowledge of the typeface and its anatomy – the machine mechanics created by her allow complete understanding and control over the tool – not always the case with computers as a majority of people do not know the complete workings of the tools they use

Computers however allow for ease of use

‘Handmade processes allow a deeper understanding of the design process and how things are made’

‘Imperfections allow the viewer and insight into how the piece was made’

Individual strokes show the process of creation

‘The makers mark creates a connection between the viewer and the person who has made it, making it more believable and real’

Double Dagger - Letterpressed Newspaper

-        A fully letter pressed newspaper – manually created

-        Publication about letterpress – discusses issues around the process, problems and the love for it

-        Has glitches such as upside down text and a variety of symbols and ligatures not normally used in digital printing – would not normally see in a daily newspaper- unique and quirky – errors more human – makers mark creates a connection with the viewer

-        Use of letterpress – reactionary to the mass distribution of the swiss style in 1970s – reverting back

-        Limited run makes it more precious to the owner – value the time and effort put into the creation of it – digital would be created much quicker but ‘the public understand the ease at which something can be created digitally, whereas something handmade is seen as more skilful’

-        Traditional typefaces used – reaction to swiss typography seen everywhere

-        Difference in print / tone from the printing technique – makes it unique

-        Use of traditional techniques means it is more time consuming leading to a limited rum in production. Digital design allows for ease of production whilst maintaining a consistent print finish – professional finish – more commercially viable – niche product

Designers have become ‘creatively disengaged’

Prompted by the digital takeover – wanting to return back

‘the time and effort put into handmade work creates an outcome with integrity and a story behind it’

Viewer emphasises with the beginnings of the project 

Andrew Byrom - Grab Me  

-        Alphabet created from metal tubular rails

-        Made from steel which has many constraints – is a hard material to work with – needs specialist knowledge - have to learn about the process – more understanding about the creation of the work – multiple processes to understand and take into consideration

-        Takes on the role of a functional object – used as hand grips – plays with this concept – becomes useful and adds value to the work – understood as a physical thing and becomes real

-        Interactive – viewers are able to touch and experience it – creates more of an impression

-        Able to see how the piece was made

-        Niche market – where would it function if only the word play can be spelt in the material – becomes gimmicky and dated

-        Gets a specialist to create the work rather than the designer making it from the beginning – means the designer takes on a purely design task – may not have as much physical understanding as anticipated – more theory based.

-        Specialist materials, tools and help would be need to create the work – would increase the price of the product

‘Physicality of creating means the design becomes responsive and influenced by process’

The designer becomes ‘responsive to the materials’

The constraints of the material meant the work was altered to adapt to the restrictions posed

‘By combining analogue and digital techniques innovative work can be created as long as one the computer is seen as one tool amongst many’

Digital design influenced the production the three-dimensional work – shows how two and three-dimensional design can influence one another and vice versa.

‘imperfections within the work allow insight into how the work was made’

Able to see the joins and bends of the material – can work out its construction much easier in real life 

New York Times Logo by Dan Tobin Smith

-        Created for the New York Times

-        Uses multiple objects to recreate their logo

-        Perspective is important – the work can only be seen at a certain angle – captured at one point in time – will never be able to recreate the same image – cannot be reproduced exactly – unique

-        Light makes up the form – outlines the letterform – created using candles and lights on different paths

-        Movement – journey along materials – letter formed through a journey around the space – use of mechanical materials and forms of transport – emphasises the sense of journey

-        Which is the work ?  The physical piece or the photograph of the work- the picture captures the moment – the objects become the facilitators of the work / moment

-        The design is dictated by how the mechanics work – have to change and adapt positioning’s until they work in the right way – considerations of height , layout , lie etc

‘ Hacking technology allows people to use it in new ways and create something more personal and reflective of their needs’

Modified technology for a new function – adapted to work in a specific way – collaboration of materials has created something unique  - ‘making use of a range of processes’

‘physicality of creating the means design becomes responsive and is influenced by process’

‘ being physically involved with the process of creating the work allows more opportunity to be creative and innovative’

Open Air St Gallen by Ramon Lenherr and Florian Brunner

-        Poster advertising a swiss music festival

-        Typography – rough and ready – diy approach in creating letterforms – reflects the haptic tent construction process

-        Uses materials such as rope and pegs which are used in camping – portrays the setup of the festival

-        Colour – uses natural colours such as browns and greens which reflects the natural surroundings the festival is set in

-        Photography / computer used as a way of mass distribution – cost effective – still retains the physicality of the objects

-        Used found materials – little value – conveys sense of place

‘through improvisation and adaptation, digital and handmade can inform work and work together to create interesting design

‘digital design allows more precise work to be produced, with a greater quantity of imagery and detail which is not always possible with analogue techniques’

Uses objects which provide association with the context – a lot of detail conveyed in just the letterforms – enhanced by their physicality

‘handmade elements communicate a reality and truthfulness to the audience which has more emotive qualities than digital design ‘

Sensory objects – concept of texture 

Rubik's Cube Font Generator by Jas Bhachu 

-        Uses a rubiks cube a a frame to create something new

-        Moves the initial function from a puzzle to a printing tool

-        Rubber shapes added to the cube allow stamping of letters

-        Users become engaged with the piece

-        Provides a structure and a means for the viewer to create from

-        Accessible for a range of people because of its format which is easily understood

-        People understand the function of a rubiks cube and have previous knowledge of how it works whereas computer orientated work can be harder to comprehend for many people

-        Makes more sense to them and they feel more engaged with the work

-        Viewers would find it fun and interesting – curiosity and play - interaction

-        Able to create things for themselves which creates a sense of achievement and provides an experience making the work more meaningful

-        The viewer leaves their own mark on the work created rather than the designers mark

-        The designer hands over creative responsibility and the viewer takes ownership of the tool to create their own work.

‘Hacking technology allows people to use it in new ways and to create something more personal and reflective of their needs’

used existing object and has reconfigured its function whilst maintaining its original form

‘being physically involved with the process of creating the work allows more opportunity to be creative and innovative, there is a tangible connection between the work and the designers’

‘digital tools allow typography to be used and made by anyone’

handmade techniques make typography accessible as well – a DIY approach – more engaged with the process

‘involvement with a physical work creates an experience for the viewer’

 viewer becomes the user and creator