18th - 20th January 2011 - including the De Stijl and The New Typography Manifesto

Reflective Practice:
After attempting to research the Helvetica typeface during the past week, I was unable to collate a substantial about of research on the subject.
After searching the Internet, I was unable to acquire a source that provided me with the relevant information I was looking for, I had the same result when searching the library.
I thought that at this point it was acceptable for me to find another success story to study before I would start to fall behind the rest of the group.
I had recently purchased a copy of Megg's History of Graphic Design, in that I came across the Swiss design movement, also known as The International Typographic Style. I have decided to study this as my success story. I feel that it has been a success as it has been influential for future movements.


Creative and Social Context:
The De Stijl


The ideas of De Stijl started when a group of artists, which included 3 painter, 2 artist, 1 sculptor and a poet, came together to exchange ideas in a public forum.

They vehicle for the exchange was a monthly magazine called 'De Stijl'. The magazine was founded in 1917 in Holland, but ceased publication in 1931 when the founding member died. The founder was Theo Van Deasburg, he was also the publisher and editor of the magazine and the movements main spokesman, without him De Stijl as a movement fell apart.

The Manifesto
De Stijl was founded during World War 1 and its origins were in a neutral country. The artist of De Stijl wanted harmony in balance, De Stijl came out of a period of chaos, when harmony and balance was longed for by the majority of Europeans. It was clear that for future harmony, implied changes in ways of life. The Artist discovered theses changed everywhere in contemporary life.

The New Typography
The New Typography movement brought together information design and graphics to the artistic avant-garde of Central Europe during the 1920's and 1930's. The leading practitioner of the New Typography movement was Jan Tschichold, his idea was to forget the old ideas of design and develop new ones.

Jan Tschichold. Die Frau ohne Namen. 1927. Offset lithograph

The old typeface was designed for the needs of the readers at the time, who had the time to read line by line. The main aesthetics in The New Typography movement were type and colour. In comparison to the old typography, where colour was used decoratively, in the new typography colour is used more functionally. The colour red is probably the most important colour as it come forward and seems closer than other colour used on the page, whereas white creates an effect of reflecting light. Black can move further back and appear behind other colours. A good example of this theory is 'Die Frau ohne Namen' by Jan Tschichold. The colour red appears above the retiring black.


Bibliography:
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1015
[accessed 02/03/11]
The New Typography, Creative Review 1995

Summary.
Out of the two manifestos I have studied, I feel I like the most and can relate to more is the The New Typography manifesto by Jan Tcshichold. The New Typography movement came directly after the first version of the Italian Futurists, I believe that the Social conditions at that period helped with the progression of many influential designers. I think that the colours they used and the theory behind it(which is mentioned above) is a admirable system to use. [insert my lino print work]


Exploring Specialist Pathway 1: The breaking the rules.
In the past when people have stated, 'Brody and Carson really broke the rules of typography', I never fully understood what they meant by that. I feel that today's workshop was a essential as it has enabled me to understand this.

Out of all of the different examples of rule breaking I have encountered I feel that 'breaking the rules of balance' would be the most inspirational for me in my future work. I believe this because I feel that the word 'type' as it stands below is strong, I think that this style of rule breaking would work effectively in a magazine or a advertising poster and would appeal with the most potential to a consumer.

Breaking the rule of balance

Breaking the rule of distortion

Breaking the rules of width

Screen Prints
I went to today lesson knowing nothing about screen printing, my initial reaction was that I thought screen would be unnecessary, but on reflection I feel that it could be an essential aid in future typography briefs.
I believe that learning traditional methods of design and collaborating them with modern methods can create a effective piece of artwork.

11th - 13th January The new briefs

My thoughts and reflections on the new briefs.

Reflective Practice:

I feel that investigating a success story on a designer/design company/typeface/movement and producing a 15 minute presentation on that, will substantially help me acquire knowledge and understanding of past and current movements and designers. My first instinct for the success story would be the Helvetica Typeface, its a typeface that I know very little about, yet it is used so widely. I also feel that producing a report of my progress on the course to present day will be good for reflecting on my work patterns and how they have changed.

Creative and Social Context:
For this module we will firstly be learning about the history of Graphic Design during the 19th, 20th, 21th century using the our Reflective learning Journal to document this, secondly we will also be compiling a report on a contemporary regional designer. I accept that my knowledge on the history of Graphic Design during the time period stated is weak so this will be a effective and ideal module for me to study. Completing a case study on a regional design will give me an idea on how designers operate in the industry, allow me to forge contacts with designer in the industry which I currently lack, and may even open opportunities for the possibility for work experience placements.

Exploring Specialist Pathway 1:
I have currently not started on YCN brief, but I have decided to undertake the Tuborg lager brief, I am still not clear what the brief is asking for so I feel I need re-read the project pack.
I have chosen pictures to apply to my screen printing. Turborg was great hit during the 1970's, so I have decided to collect pictures show sport, fashion and music from that period. I hope that the final outcome of the YCN work will include the screen printing I am learning from Spencer's lessons.

Professional and Contextual Studies 1:
As with most of the briefs issued in this Semester, they mainly consist of contextual documentation. For this module we have been asked to produce a 1000 word report on industry specific legislation's and guidelines from collated research, and to organise and implement a group exhibition. My initial thoughts of the Professional and Contextual studies module was that it was pointless and I would not gain any worthy knowledge from it. On reflection I have realised that, as a Graphic Designer working in the industry, many obstacles will hit you.
For e.g. criminal record clearance, copyright laws and organising a exhibition of relevant work. 
I may not be able to remember the exact procedures of they above for future reference, but I will be able to refresh my knowledge of the appropriate information at the relevant time.