Popular- graphic design is everywhere
Transient- doesn't last forever as discipline is forever changing
Expendable- isn't hoarded by anyone, is thrown away and goes out of fashion
Low Cost- budget value allows for designs to be mass produced
Young- even if created by experienced designers, is still driven by youth
Witty, Sexy, Gimmicky- relates to the contemporary visual culture
Glamorous- or not?
Big Business- wanted everywhere
Through exploring my interpretation of the quotes below I aim to show what I believe Graphic Design to be. The artists I will look at will reflect my own individual creative interests as well as a breadth of contemporary graphic design.
"Amidst all of the hype of modern design and computers, we have remained true by generating the majority of our designs by hand, viewing the computer as a tool and not letting it dictate our designs" - Ames Design
This is my favourite quote because it is so true to me. I have very little knowledge of computer software such as Photo shop and Illustrator, so prefer to draw most of my designs by hand, using a computer just as a tool to help. I would say that generally, the images I have found for this quote are the ones I like best, although they may not be the best examples of effective Graphic Design.
 |
| Typography Served |
This image contains a beautiful hand drawn floral pattern, with type on top relating to the decorative theme. I believe this image is a great example of how Graphic Design can be the collaboration of different media by making things fit together and be organised. The result has the ability to become more interesting than a design creating just with a computer.
[Digital Illustration]
 |
| Digital Fashion Illustration |
This illustration may look digital after it has been edited on the computer, but started off as an ink drawing, which colour was then applied to before the finishing touches were adding using Photo shop. While a similar image could have been created just on Illustrator for example, I think that this technique, which is how I personally work, is "remaining true", as stated in the quote, by allowing the artist's personal touch to be in the image, rather than it being restricted by a computer.
[Promotional Design]
Even designs that are mainly generated by hand can be used in promotional event advertising, often giving them an individual touch compared to most of the posters that are around in contemporary graphic design that focus heavily on computer generated type and images with photography. In my opinion, this illustrative style of poster design would be more likely to catch my attention compared to a computer generated design. While many aspects are created by hand, the computer is such an important tool for organising the different aspects, editing images and adding final touches.
[Advertising Graphics]
The computer has been used as a tool in this perfume advert to add the final touches to a photograph containing hand drawn illustration. The computer is a vital tool to ensure that a photograph can contain the best possible colours and be free from imperfections.
[Illustration]
 |
| Jeff Kulack |
Even designs that are mainly generated by hand can be used in promotional event advertising, often giving them an individual touch compared to most of the posters that are around in contemporary graphic design that focus heavily on computer generated type and images with photography. In my opinion, this illustrative style of poster design would be more likely to catch my attention compared to a computer generated design. While many aspects are created by hand, the computer is such an important tool for organising the different aspects, editing images and adding final touches.
 |
| Aboud Creative |
The computer has been used as a tool in this perfume advert to add the final touches to a photograph containing hand drawn illustration. The computer is a vital tool to ensure that a photograph can contain the best possible colours and be free from imperfections.
 |
| Evening Tweed |
This illustration accompanied an article in a magazine about cutting taxes. While the message this image is trying to communicate may not be completely obvious without the article, I think this is still an interesting and attractive example of how even mainly hand generated designs can be used to communicate a message. Again, the computer has just been used as a tool to perfect the image, it does not "dictate the design". The computer is also an important tool for organising the actual article layout and placing this image in the article.
[Packaging Design]
These menu's are a mix of hand generated image with computer generated type and logo, organised together using the computer as a tool. This collaboration also helps to show the modern style of the restaurant, through the computer generated elements of the design, and the vintage style, with the hand drawn elements. The final qualities of the design are added by the paper used to print the design onto, proving that the computer does not have to "dictate our designs", but is just a stage in the process of creating graphic design.
[Promotional Design]
This image is an example of how hand drawn elements and photography can work with computer generated elements. The lace background is a scanned piece of material, with photographs of buttons, hair clips and make-up layered on top, as well as computer generated type, and finally, a hand drawn girl and clothes. While I feel the illustrations work better than the actual organisation of the final image, this again is still another example of how artists are remaining "true by generating the majority of our designs by hand."
[Publishing]
Book design is an obvious example of how a computer can be a tool to use with hand generated designs. To keep the pages more interesting than they would be if they were to contain only hand drawn images, simple touches have been added, such as block colour with computer generated typography and image captions at the side of the image.
[Illustration]
This style of graphic design is my favourite. Hand drawn images and hand generated type are organised together using the computer as a tool to keep things in line and spaced out neatly, and to ensure the colours are satisfactory. Using the computer as a tool can save a lot of time, as it allows for an illustration containing a mistake to be perfected, instead of just redrawing the image.
[Illustration]
Illustrations such as these don't have to be created completely by hand, instead the outline can be drawn and scanned in, and colour can be added on the computer, even looking realistic if added using a graphics tablet. This is not necessarily the process used to create these particular images, but they remind me of images I have created previously in this manner.
[Type Design]
Type does not have to be created using a computer, but can be hand generated, and the computer can just be a tool to finalise the ideas, rather than letting it dictate how the letter forms would turn out. If the rules of typography cannot be applied to a letter form, they are regarded as letter forms and not typography, and letter forms are the category that these images would fall into.
"Graphic Design is the effective delivery of a message, idea or concept through the use of visual language."
I have chosen this quote as I think Graphic Design can promote change, persuade, deliver instructions, as well as being aesthetically pleasing. The ability to communicate a message in a short, sharp and effective manner is something which attracts me to Graphic Design.
[Information Graphics]
This example of maps placed around Sheffield shows how graphic design has a function, and has to work, unlike art, to deliver a message effectively. These map boards are kept interesting with photographs of the city, with a stylish colour scheme and typography.
[Advertising Graphics]
To promote the release of classic Disney films on to DVDs, this giant chair, placed in a shopping centre, allowed adults to 'feel like a kid again', as they sat on the chair and looked down at the advert. I think this is a really clever idea that stands out, and so has stuck in my head since I first read about it. Through the use of the chair with the poster, this is a great example of how Graphic Design can deliver a message effectively, this message being to try to persuade people into buying Disney DVDs.
[Ethical Design]
This image, found at the beginning of a Graphic Design book, shows how the message that is being delivered though visual language can be one that promotes people to do what is morally right. By producing an image that reads the message "designers... stay away from corporations that want you to lie for them" in the form of different adverts on a billboard, the reader is far more likely to remember this motto, and actually stick by it, than if the words were just written in plain text, as this is far more interesting and attention grabbing.
[Ethical Design]
This is another piece communicating the idea of ethical living, this time for Greenpeace UK as part of the ongoing blue fin tuna campaign. While at first glance, it may not be obvious there is a moral message behind this spoof style advert, it actually aims to raise awareness and stop up-market restaurants from selling endangered tuna. On the company's website, they describe their selves as "an award winning creative practice that contributes towards positive social and environmental change."
[Ethical Design]
This is another ethical design from UHC, showing that the message can be communicated through any media or scale, this time through a printed t-shirt. As this would stand out from a magazine advert or a design on screen, I think using a different media can be a very effective way of delivering a message. This t-shirt features a design for a campaign for climate action, which is a spin off off the e.on energy company's logo.
[Information Graphics]
At first glance, this image may look misplaced in a blog entry about what I believe Graphic Design to be. The reason I have included this cartoon drawing is because it is visually communicating a message, this being that the people are running. The lines behind them are a well known symbol of speed, despite the obvious fact that when someone is running there are no physical lines behind them. Therefore, while this is not an example of aesthetic quality, it is an example of how Graphic Design can visually communicate.
[Ethical Design]
Form Design created a fresh and engaging brand identity, based on road signage, for the anti drink drive campaign "Don't Be That Someone", containing posters, interactive flyers, lesson plans and teaching aides distributed to schools nationwide. Form Design had a clear message - a more effective approach is needed to educate young drivers on the risks of drink driving. This is the piece out of all the items that I think works best to deliver a message, as it interacts with the target audience (14-18 years), so they can learn through the use of visual language.
[Information Graphics]
Again, here are more symbols which may look out of place in a gallery of attractive images and typography. However, these universal symbols are possibly the best example to go with the above quote. These are manufactured, man made symbols that we all agree on that without doubt solve the problem of communication, as they share the same message, regardless of gender, age, culture, intelligence and other such factors.
[Ethical Design]
Spin-off adverts of existing examples of Graphic Design can be used to deliver a message to an audience. These show an effective use of visual language, communicating with the viewer the dangers of excessive drinking, based on existing advertising from Absolut Vodka.
"Graphic Design is simple and effective."
While I do like decorative, fancy designs, I understand that the simplest of graphic design can be the most effective, as they are easy to understand and so get to the point quickly.
[Publishing]
This magazine article is a good example of simple being the most effective as it contains only what is needed for the article to still make sense, but also look good. I like how only the illustration contains colour, but even still, both sides are simple, clean, neat and easy to understand. In some ways I think this style of Graphic Design looks more professional than images I have found to represent the other quotes, as it is the skill of a graphic designer to communicate a message in the quickest, sharpest possible way.
[Branding]
On this brand identity for the "Sustainable Futures" exhibition, the images are created by a mix of symbols. This keeps the design looking simple, but is definitely effective in my opinion, as this interesting idea captures attention and helps to promote the exhibition.
[Web Design]
A range of recognisable, clear and simple applications were created for the brand identity for NHS Primary Care Trust which aimed to stand apart from most health and well being communication design. This also shows how illustration and typography can work together and yet still the design can stay simple.
[Branding]
This branding for an interior design company helps to represent the company despite being such a simple design. The unique, decorative style of the company is reflected through the unity of a simple contemporary typeface with a more decorative accompanying symbol. The colour scheme suggests sophistication.
[Web Design]
This is a website design for a video game, which has to be kept simple, as the graphics for actual game are so important here. Only what is needed is included in the design, to keep the website effective in promoting the video game.
[Branding]
This business card for the print broker 'The Printcess' effectively communicate a lot through typography and just one image, despite looking so simple. The idea behind the logo of the crown with the all-seeing eye is based on their ability to spot trouble before it becomes a problem. Their love of traditional and modern printing techniques inspired the designers custom type.
[Publishing]
 |
| Eight Hour Day |
These menu's are a mix of hand generated image with computer generated type and logo, organised together using the computer as a tool. This collaboration also helps to show the modern style of the restaurant, through the computer generated elements of the design, and the vintage style, with the hand drawn elements. The final qualities of the design are added by the paper used to print the design onto, proving that the computer does not have to "dictate our designs", but is just a stage in the process of creating graphic design.
 |
| Digital Fashion Illustration |
This image is an example of how hand drawn elements and photography can work with computer generated elements. The lace background is a scanned piece of material, with photographs of buttons, hair clips and make-up layered on top, as well as computer generated type, and finally, a hand drawn girl and clothes. While I feel the illustrations work better than the actual organisation of the final image, this again is still another example of how artists are remaining "true by generating the majority of our designs by hand."
 |
| Aufuldish & Warinner |
Book design is an obvious example of how a computer can be a tool to use with hand generated designs. To keep the pages more interesting than they would be if they were to contain only hand drawn images, simple touches have been added, such as block colour with computer generated typography and image captions at the side of the image.
 |
| Illustration Web |
This style of graphic design is my favourite. Hand drawn images and hand generated type are organised together using the computer as a tool to keep things in line and spaced out neatly, and to ensure the colours are satisfactory. Using the computer as a tool can save a lot of time, as it allows for an illustration containing a mistake to be perfected, instead of just redrawing the image.
 |
| Graphic Design Now |
Illustrations such as these don't have to be created completely by hand, instead the outline can be drawn and scanned in, and colour can be added on the computer, even looking realistic if added using a graphics tablet. This is not necessarily the process used to create these particular images, but they remind me of images I have created previously in this manner.
 |
| Illustration Web |
Type does not have to be created using a computer, but can be hand generated, and the computer can just be a tool to finalise the ideas, rather than letting it dictate how the letter forms would turn out. If the rules of typography cannot be applied to a letter form, they are regarded as letter forms and not typography, and letter forms are the category that these images would fall into.
"Graphic Design is the effective delivery of a message, idea or concept through the use of visual language."
I have chosen this quote as I think Graphic Design can promote change, persuade, deliver instructions, as well as being aesthetically pleasing. The ability to communicate a message in a short, sharp and effective manner is something which attracts me to Graphic Design.
 |
| Atelier Works |
This example of maps placed around Sheffield shows how graphic design has a function, and has to work, unlike art, to deliver a message effectively. These map boards are kept interesting with photographs of the city, with a stylish colour scheme and typography.
 |
| Adrants |
To promote the release of classic Disney films on to DVDs, this giant chair, placed in a shopping centre, allowed adults to 'feel like a kid again', as they sat on the chair and looked down at the advert. I think this is a really clever idea that stands out, and so has stuck in my head since I first read about it. Through the use of the chair with the poster, this is a great example of how Graphic Design can deliver a message effectively, this message being to try to persuade people into buying Disney DVDs.
 |
| Graphic Design Now |
This image, found at the beginning of a Graphic Design book, shows how the message that is being delivered though visual language can be one that promotes people to do what is morally right. By producing an image that reads the message "designers... stay away from corporations that want you to lie for them" in the form of different adverts on a billboard, the reader is far more likely to remember this motto, and actually stick by it, than if the words were just written in plain text, as this is far more interesting and attention grabbing.
 |
| Ultimate Holding Company |
This is another piece communicating the idea of ethical living, this time for Greenpeace UK as part of the ongoing blue fin tuna campaign. While at first glance, it may not be obvious there is a moral message behind this spoof style advert, it actually aims to raise awareness and stop up-market restaurants from selling endangered tuna. On the company's website, they describe their selves as "an award winning creative practice that contributes towards positive social and environmental change."
 |
| Ultimate Holding Company |
This is another ethical design from UHC, showing that the message can be communicated through any media or scale, this time through a printed t-shirt. As this would stand out from a magazine advert or a design on screen, I think using a different media can be a very effective way of delivering a message. This t-shirt features a design for a campaign for climate action, which is a spin off off the e.on energy company's logo.
 |
| Foto Search |
At first glance, this image may look misplaced in a blog entry about what I believe Graphic Design to be. The reason I have included this cartoon drawing is because it is visually communicating a message, this being that the people are running. The lines behind them are a well known symbol of speed, despite the obvious fact that when someone is running there are no physical lines behind them. Therefore, while this is not an example of aesthetic quality, it is an example of how Graphic Design can visually communicate.
 |
| Form |
Form Design created a fresh and engaging brand identity, based on road signage, for the anti drink drive campaign "Don't Be That Someone", containing posters, interactive flyers, lesson plans and teaching aides distributed to schools nationwide. Form Design had a clear message - a more effective approach is needed to educate young drivers on the risks of drink driving. This is the piece out of all the items that I think works best to deliver a message, as it interacts with the target audience (14-18 years), so they can learn through the use of visual language.
 |
| Design Work Plan |
Again, here are more symbols which may look out of place in a gallery of attractive images and typography. However, these universal symbols are possibly the best example to go with the above quote. These are manufactured, man made symbols that we all agree on that without doubt solve the problem of communication, as they share the same message, regardless of gender, age, culture, intelligence and other such factors.
 |
| Adbusters |
[Ethical Design]
Spin-off adverts of existing examples of Graphic Design can be used to deliver a message to an audience. These show an effective use of visual language, communicating with the viewer the dangers of excessive drinking, based on existing advertising from Absolut Vodka.
"Graphic Design is simple and effective."
While I do like decorative, fancy designs, I understand that the simplest of graphic design can be the most effective, as they are easy to understand and so get to the point quickly.
 |
| Typography Served |
This magazine article is a good example of simple being the most effective as it contains only what is needed for the article to still make sense, but also look good. I like how only the illustration contains colour, but even still, both sides are simple, clean, neat and easy to understand. In some ways I think this style of Graphic Design looks more professional than images I have found to represent the other quotes, as it is the skill of a graphic designer to communicate a message in the quickest, sharpest possible way.
 |
| Design by Build |
On this brand identity for the "Sustainable Futures" exhibition, the images are created by a mix of symbols. This keeps the design looking simple, but is definitely effective in my opinion, as this interesting idea captures attention and helps to promote the exhibition.
 |
| Ultimate Holding Company |
A range of recognisable, clear and simple applications were created for the brand identity for NHS Primary Care Trust which aimed to stand apart from most health and well being communication design. This also shows how illustration and typography can work together and yet still the design can stay simple.
 |
| Mark Design |
This branding for an interior design company helps to represent the company despite being such a simple design. The unique, decorative style of the company is reflected through the unity of a simple contemporary typeface with a more decorative accompanying symbol. The colour scheme suggests sophistication.
 |
| Form |
This is a website design for a video game, which has to be kept simple, as the graphics for actual game are so important here. Only what is needed is included in the design, to keep the website effective in promoting the video game.
 |
| Aufuldish & Warinner |
This business card for the print broker 'The Printcess' effectively communicate a lot through typography and just one image, despite looking so simple. The idea behind the logo of the crown with the all-seeing eye is based on their ability to spot trouble before it becomes a problem. Their love of traditional and modern printing techniques inspired the designers custom type.
 |
| Design by Build |
The simple effect of the text on this book back cover being inverted takes this piece from being just another book cover to an exciting example of how graphic design is simple but effective. While this is a special touch, the lack of colour and the fact that no images are used stop this effect from making the cover look busy. This would definitely encourage me to pick the book up, as I would want to feel the cover and then see what is inside.
[Packaging Design]
These bags are incredibly simple, containing only the iconic Paul Smith stripes and logo. This is all that is needed, as this is an instantly recognisable design, that is effective at showing which store these bags are from. This to me is an example of Graphic Design being no nonsense minimalism.
[Web Design]
The layout on this website is kept clean and simple, with only shades of grey and bright yellow being used. As well as helping to keep the website look clean and easy to use, this design stops the other images on the page from looking busy. This easy to use style stops the viewer from losing attention, and also looks professional and modern, which is the idea I believe this website to be communicating.
[Publishing]
This book cover design is kept simple, which has many merits. Firstly, its clean cover would attract attention if placed next to books with busy covers. Also, the text really stands out and is easy to read, as well as being a good contrast to the variety of designs inside. I feel simple Graphic Design is effective as it looks modern, professional and what is being communicated is usually easy to understand.
 |
| Aboud Creative |
These bags are incredibly simple, containing only the iconic Paul Smith stripes and logo. This is all that is needed, as this is an instantly recognisable design, that is effective at showing which store these bags are from. This to me is an example of Graphic Design being no nonsense minimalism.
 |
| Typography Served |
The layout on this website is kept clean and simple, with only shades of grey and bright yellow being used. As well as helping to keep the website look clean and easy to use, this design stops the other images on the page from looking busy. This easy to use style stops the viewer from losing attention, and also looks professional and modern, which is the idea I believe this website to be communicating.
 |
| It's Nice That |
This book cover design is kept simple, which has many merits. Firstly, its clean cover would attract attention if placed next to books with busy covers. Also, the text really stands out and is easy to read, as well as being a good contrast to the variety of designs inside. I feel simple Graphic Design is effective as it looks modern, professional and what is being communicated is usually easy to understand.
