Observations in Graphic Design LCAD Summer 2013 JULIETTE GOSSE
Observations in Graphic Design LCAD Summer 2013
JULIETTE GOSSE
Symbols
Old
New
Different
What? Dollar sign
What? Instagram
When? Late 1700’s
When? 2010
What? Electric Visual logo (surf/skate/snow company)
Where? Colonial America
Where? San Francisco
Why? To communicate a basic unit of value.
Why? Used as an app for smartphones to allow users to share photos publicly.
Where? San Clemente, CA
Your p.o.v. This symbol only came about three years ago, but is already known worldwide. Over 100 million people use instagram.
Your p.o.v. It’s a fresh, new and different look for the brand/ company. I like it a lot.
Your p.o.v. The dollar sign is definitely an important symbol used in America, and internationally as well.
When? Established in 2000, new logo designed in 2012.
Why? Re-branding
Symbols
Works
Doesn’t Work
Not Sure
What? Stop sign
What? No smoking symbol
What? Ichthys
When? 1915
When? Originated in 1970’s
When? Ancient times
Where? First used in Michigan, but now used globally.
Where? Buildings, airplanes, restaurants, schools, etc.
Why? Driving safety
Why? Health precautions
Where? Ancient Greece and now everywhere (where christianity is practiced and on car bumpers).
Your p.o.v. This symbol is known around the world and works just about everywhere.
Your p.o.v. It’s an obvious and supposedly useful sign, but I believe most people do not pay attention, and will smoke either way (a lot of the time). EX. Saddleback College.
Why? To symbolize christianity Your p.o.v. Unless you are a christian, this symbol is a bit confusing (at least to me).
Typefaces
Old
New
Different
What? Hieroglyphics
What? Avenir (means future in french)
What? Old English/Blackletter
When? 3200 BC- 400AD Where? Ancient Egypt Why? Used to communicate through storytelling on walls. Your p.o.v. This is one of the oldest forms of communication/type.
When? 1988 (relatively new) Where? France Why? Designed to be a more humanistic version of traditional geometric typefaces Your p.o.v. Although it is not very exciting, it is a very modern typeface, used in lots of places such as BBC television.
When? 12th century Where? Europe Why? Used to write books more efficiently. Your p.o.v. A classic typeface that changed the face of writing years and years ago.
Typefaces
Works
Doesn’t Work
Not Sure
What? Times New Roman
What? Bickham Script
What? Candice
When? 1929
When? 1996-1997
When? 1970’s
Where? London
Where? Cambridge, MA
Why? It is a very useful and easy-to-read typeface.
Why? Used for facny invitations, and certificates; appeals to a more distinguished audience.
Where? Movies and elaborate posters (?)
Your p.o.v. Although a bit boring, this typeface works. Especially when writing papers for school.
Your p.o.v. I personally believe that script/ cursive is dying out. Not many people use it or can read it any longer.
Why? Instantly has a 1970’s disco vibe. Your p.o.v. When I look at this typeface, it instantly takes me back to the groovy 1970’s. I’m not sure this typeface works well with any other genre.
Objects
Old
New
Different
What? Encyclopedia
What? iPhones
What? Electronic cigarettes
When? Used as far back as 2,000 years ago.
When? 2007
When? Patented in 2003
Where? Globally
Where? China
Why? “Smartphones” can do basically anything for you. EX. Siri.
Why? To help smokers quit
Where? Internationally Why? The encyclopedia has virtually disappeared due to the internet and all the search engines available. Your p.o.v. I have not used one for probably almost ten years.
Your p.o.v. I don’t think i could ever go back to having a “regular” cell phone.
Your p.o.v. Very different idea to help smokers quit, as opposed to the nicotine patch, or just quitting cold turkey.
Objects
Works
Doesn’t Work
Not Sure
What? Flashlight
What? Ford Pinto
What? Placebos
When? Patented in 1899
When? Produced from 1971-1980
When? First used in the 1800’s
Where? Globally Why? Gives us light when it’s dark, very simple and useful. Your p.o.v. Very practical and can be used in many dark situations, like camping!
Where? America Why? Tended to erupt in flame in rear-end collisions. Your p.o.v. NOT SAFE AT ALL! (My Aunt had one).
Where? Globally Why? To improve the medical health of patients who may or may not need “actual” medication. Your p.o.v. If a patient needs actual treatment, I’m not so sure a placebo should be used. But often times they work.
Packaging
Old
New
Different
What? Sardine Tin
What? TOMS Shoes
What? Boxed Water
When? 1880
When? Founded in 2006
Where? Setubal, Portugal
Where? Santa Monica, CA
When? Launched in March, 2009
Why? An old design that is still used.
Why? Shoes come in an environmentally-friendly draw-string bag.
Your p.o.v. The same design that was first used in the 19th century is still used today.
Your p.o.v. This is a great idea as opposed to wasting an entire cardboard box on shoes that do not need it.
Where? Michigan Why? More environmentally friendly than plastic bottled water, and healthier for us. Your p.o.v. It’s a great, new and different idea that is safer than drinking out of plastic bottles.
Packaging
Works
Doesn’t Work
Not Sure
What? Egg cartons
What? Glass Ketchup bottle
When? Invented in 1911
When? First produced in 1876
What? Can (withouth self-open top)
Where? Globally
Where? Internationally
Why? More efficient way of distributing eggs.
Why? It is so hard to get the right amount of ketchup out of these glass bottles!
Your p.o.v. Its’ packaging has been around for over a century, and has not changed one bit. I think it works!
Your p.o.v. The squeezable, plastic ketchup bottles were obviously a better idea. The glass botlles are just plain irritating.
When? Patented in 1810 Where? Britain Why? It preserves food for a longer period of time, but the process to open the can is outdated. Your p.o.v. Every can nowadays should have a self-open top that doesn’t require an opener.
Letterforms
Old
New
Different
What? Saturday Evening Post Magazine
What? NastyGal (online shopping website)
What? Chick-Fil-A billboard
When? Became known in 1821
When? Founded in 2006
Where? United States
Where? Worldwide
Why? Has endured almost 300 years due to its’ creativity and innovation.
Why? A new way to shop vintage and current styles.
Your p.o.v. A classic magazine that almost everybody recognizes.
Your p.o.v. The NastyGal logo is new, fun and funky and makes you want to shop!
When? Founded in 1946 Where? Across the U.S. (associated mostly with Southern U.S.) Why? It’s a different take on a fast food advertisement. Your p.o.v. I like that they have cows telling us to “eat more chikin.”
Letterforms
Works
Doesn’t Work
Not Sure
What? Fed Ex
What? “Mega Flicks” video store
What? Organic food labels
When? 1971 Where? On packages around the world. Why? The logo has not changed at all since 1971. Your p.o.v. It works, it gets the point across, and even manages to fit an arrow between the “E” and the “X.”
When? Sign was noticed and talked about in 2009
When? The organic movement arose in the 1940’s.
Where? United States
Where? On fruits, vegetables and other food products.
Why? The font choice definitely does not work... for obvious reasons.
Why? Supposed to be healthier for you, but most organic food is not even 100% organic.
Your p.o.v. This is a perfect example of poor font choice.
Your p.o.v. If it’s not 100% organic, I don’t think they should label it that way.
Poster Design
Old
New
Different
What? Women in the workforce poster
What? “Keep Calm and Carry On”
What? Shepard Fairey’s “Make Love Not War” poster
When? Early 1940’s
When? First produced in 1939, and then popularized in 2011. It’s everywhere!
When? 2009
Where? Britain (originally)
Why? It’s a purely creative poster that looks somewhat like a propaganda poster, and also sends a message.
Where? WWII America Why? A very old, popular, and recognizable poster. Your p.o.v. Although old, it’s an encouraging and powerful poster that is still recognized today.
Why? Although produced in the 1930’s originally, the poster was never mass produced. Your p.o.v. Most popular poster in the world right now, I think.
Where? Street art
Your p.o.v. It’s a beautiful way to promote art.
Poster Design
Works
Doesn’t Work
Not Sure
What? “No Littering” poster
What? National “NO Smoking Day” poster
What? Modern poster
When? Used mostly where an abundance of litter can be found EX. beaches. Where? Seen everywhere! Why? It’s straight forward and to the point. Your p.o.v. This poster tells you exactly what you should be doing, there are no questions.
When? 1985 Where? United States Why? It’s a cool idea, but I don’t think it would work at all. Your p.o.v. I don’t think it would be at all possible to get the entire U.S. to stop smoking for an entire day. (Sad).
When? Fairly recently Where? The internet Why? Not everyone would know what this poster was saying unless they used computers. Your p.o.v. I know what the poster is trying to say because I use a MAC computer (targeted at a younger audience perhaps).
Nature
Old
New
Different
What? Giant Sequoia
What? Orchids
When? 3,200 years old
When? 19th century (Not quite new)
What? Joshua Tree (Yucca Brevifolia)
Where? Sierra Nevada, CA United States Why? It’s an iconic, traditional, American tree. Your p.o.v. I think people associate the Pacific Northwest of the United States with these gigantic, amazing trees.
Where? The tropics Why? Although not particularly new, orchids are very modern looking. Your p.o.v. Orchids, to me, are very modern, fresh and new looking.
When? Mid- 19th century Where? Southwestern North America Why? Each one looks like it has its own personality, they’re all different from one another. Your p.o.v. They’re not exactly attractive, but they’re interesting to look at.
Nature
Works
Doesn’t Work
Not Sure
What? Pine Trees
What? Poison ivy
What? Cannabis (Marijuana)
When? Pre- 19th century (known as firs)
When?
When? 1753
Where? Northern hemisphere
Where? From Canada to South America
Where? Central and South Asia
Why? They are cut and used as timber as well as ornamental obects EX. Christmas trees.
Why? They are harmful and cause a terrible rash if you come in contact with them.
Your p.o.v. Very useful, and decorative!
Your p.o.v. I would never want to cross paths with poison ivy!!
Why? Recreational use of Marijuana is illegal (in most places around the world), but it is also used in oils, lotions, etc. Your p.o.v. Not sure if it should be fully legal, but that would definitely make a lot of people happy.
Advertising
Old
New
Different
What? “WE WANT YOU” Army enlistment
What? “No texting” advertisement
What? Tunnel ads
When? 1917
When? 2007
Where? United States
Where? First began in Washinton
Why? To recruit soldiers for WWI and WWII Your p.o.v. It’s a simple and powerful advertisement that is still recognized today.
Why? To prevent texting and driving. Your p.o.v. These ads are very powerful in my opinion. Simple but powerful.
When? 2012 Where? Austria Why? To advertise a popular restaurant, they used a different and clever way to advertise. Your p.o.v. It’s a cool way to advertise, especially an “all you can eat” restaurant.
Advertising
Works
Doesn’t Work
Not Sure
What? Apple iPod ads
What? American Apparel
What? Scary smoking ads
When? 2003
When? Began advertising provocatively in 1995.
When? 2010
Where? All over the world Why? They’re energetic, and convince you to want to “buy the emotion.” Your p.o.v. They’re colorful and fun and took a new approach on advertising the iPods.
Where? Globally Why? The ads are controversial and provocative, and upset a lot of people. Your p.o.v. They’re trying too hard to be different and “hipster-like” and coming off too dirty.
Where? The United States Why? To scare cigarette smokers into quitting. Your p.o.v. A lot of these are actually very powerful advertisements, but some of them are just too scary to even look at (not this one).