OUGD401: Modernity and Modernism lecture with Richard Miles.

On Wednesday the 10th October we had our first lecture which was based on Modernism, Modernity and the Modern. 

Due to the amount of information I received I wrote down pages defining the above terms, refining and learning from them in order to gain knowledge on all of the art movements, the most valuable information I took away was what separately defines, modernism, modernity and the modern.

Modern.

The word modern, now used as a time to describe the design movement between the late 19th and early 20th century, was previously used as a means to describe the contemporary. 'However, by the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, the term 'modern' began to take on a flavour of something 'Improved' or 'better than before'. (Richard Miles 2012)
To be modern is to be something new and an improvement on its predecessor. 

Modernity.
'The city - the city has become the site for 'modern' experience and developed as a magnet for those in the country during the period of industrialization. Communication- with the advent of rapid transport systems, rail and road. Effective communications are necessary to promote the idea of change.
Progress - Implicit in the notion of modernity is the idea that change is for the better. The goal of modernity has been to create a better life for people. There is therefore a Utopian idea inherent within the idea of modernity.
Rationality and reason - aligned to the ideas of progress are the ideas that the only way to improve humanity is to reject religious systems of rule and replace them with the notion of the civilized state. Scientific progress (Enlightenment concepts) are taken as being a far better route to further our existence then religion.' (Richard Miles 2012)  

Modernism.
' Truth in design- It was agreed that designs should not be illusionary or create false impressions.
Technology- Modernists embraced new technologies, design initiative had to allow for the mass production of goods.
Function- The idea that design was functional was of prime importance. And, a key idea within modernist design was that the form of an object should be dictated by its function. "form follows funtion".
Anti- historicism- Previous styles tended to draw from older historical styles. The modernists attempted to eschew historical references all together.
Internationalism- For the modernist, It was an appealing idea that a design/artwork would be instantly recognizable to an international audience.
Theology- Modernism was adopted almost as a religion. It constituted a set of beliefs which sat within a context where people felt they were living in a 'new age'. The term 'Zeitgeist' refers to this feeling of 'the spirit of the age.' (Richard Miles 2012)

OUGD401 Context of practice Study task 2.

As an exercise to try and get creative juices flowing in reflection to talking and writing about design, we were asked in small groups to create an analysis and response to the 2013/14 prospectus design, building constructive criticisms upon these.   

My five criticisms are as follows;

1.  The Prospectus seemed just too clinical for an art college.
The way in which the prospectus was laid out, the over use of white and black, masses of texts, non welcoming photos, made the prospectus seem far too formal which is a far cry from the bold statement piece than can be seen on the front cover. The inside pages of the catalogue oozed a demeanor that visually spoke of those common PPI advertisements (most apparent on the principals welcome) rather than a great welcome into a thriving art college.

2. Each sections appeared the same.
There was no individuality as far as presenting courses were concerned. Each one portrayed with the same type and layout of images, small titles, wrong hierarchy. We found that as a group looking through the prospectus we flicked past our course because there was nothing individual we could identify it by. 

3. The college promotes itself on its traditionality and heritage, yet the publication is minimalist.
None of the pages show any form of heritage or tradition, there is no contextual underpinning to these products that suggests Leeds College of art speak of tradition. There is no ornamentation, with use of sans serif fonts. The prospectus almost combats the college's aim, drowning itself in scenes of minimalist columns of text and unnecessary photography.

4. In layout, the prospectus seems back to front.
First looking at the COLLEGE prospectus, we are given information on Leeds, then the courses, the entry requirements and how to find us. As a student who could have been viewing the college prospectus this year I felt the publication had been put together in the wrong order. In my opinion the first thing I should be able to read about is the courses, as initially I am choosing my place of study based upon If the course is right for me, this is then followed by the surrounding location. I would like to know the entry requirements within this section so I can see what I need to do to get in and then what I will be doing once receiving a place. This then continues on to information on leeds to see if I like the surrounding area and then how to find the college if I decide to come on an open day. 

5. Printing.
There is a change in paper part way through the publication which almost interrupts the piece rather than adheres to it. The change from white pages to black also seems slightly unnecessary or would make more sense if done more regularly. The front cover is something that I do very much like about the prospectus, the combination of red and blue seem slightly off key, however what lets it down mostly is the ink that has been used onto of the good quality card. The colour of the card is view able through the ink creating a sense that there has been a lack of thought into what ink has been chosen to print with.
   

OUGD401 Context of practice 1: Study task 1.

After being Briefed upon the module of design context, we were asked to complete a small task. On your Context of practice (Design practice) blog find, post, and write about a piece of graphic design that you do like and one that you don't. I find a lot of the time that it is easier to find graphic design that I do like, not just because I have a cynical demeanor but because, I'm currently not keen on much influenced by modernist or international styles.

1. The piece of graphic design I don't like pictured below is a Japanese poster called; 'Geometric Geisha'. 

I don't like the use of geometric shapes as the eye does not follow them with ease. I prefer design with fluidity that the eye can aimlessly follow. This piece also reminds me of the Art Deco movement, which is in fact my least favourite. I like the ease of curves, illustration and organic forms in contrast to repetitive angular motifs such as the 'sunburst' which is popular among Art deco work.
I am very critical about colour, it is something I always put a lot of thought into when considering design. Personally I like to work with no, or monotone colour, with an emphasis on media such as blind embossing and letterpress, rather than in blocks separated by straight harsh lines. I also very much like the regular occurrence of negative space.

2. A piece of my favourite Graphic design is either of the 'Ever stop to wonder what makes something beautiful' Pieces by Graphic designer Darren Newman.

I favour a lot of Newman's work but have chosen these two inparticular due to their unconventional media choice. Firstly, both pieces in their original state are monochrome black and white, however they have been printed with a glow in the dark ink. The first Image is one of my favourites due to the fluid lines in which it speaks and its influence from the art noveau movement, which is the movement I most prefer due to Its reliance on nature and elemental contours. I like the second for its same media choice, but also its contextual referencing. From the way that it has been created in glow in the dark ink, to the  typeface looking like it has been constructed via led fibers which then blossom in the dark.