Part 3: Research - Visual literacy

Visual literacy is something that is crucial for designers, although it could be very useful in many other aspects of life apart of this particular career. Being visually literate implies our ability to understand and speak so called visual language. Like any spoken language that has its grammar, syntax, accents, expressions, conventions, the visual language has it own equivalents such as color, line, symbols, images, composition. Fluency in this language is something that has to be taken serious. It determines designer’s ability to visually “talk” to audience as well to receive and correspond messages that comes from  others.

MILTON GLASER

I started my search with some prominent artists such as Milton Glaser. His simplicity, variety of using media and courage to experiment with so many things is what caught my attention at first sight. It creates an image of one complete and multitalented artist who was able to be equally well engaged in a range of design disciplines such as corporate identities, interior design, packaging, posters. He is most famous for I “heart” NY logo, Bob Dylan poster, and logotypes for DC Comics and Brooklyn Brewery.

His success and wide range of skills due his strong educational background; he attended High School of Music and Art, graduated from the Cooper Union and  later Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. He was co-founder of New York Magazine and was involved in its design. His career had a huge impact on contemporary design and illustration.

This is a poster for Bob Dylan, one of the greatest musicians of  our time. His songs and poems marked the one whole era and carried among other, deep social and political messages, so it is understandable why Glaser, whose work was also socially and politically engaged, found a good way to bond with Dylan trough his artwork. I like the way how he made this poster. This illustration has simple and clean look, and it is immediately noticeable  what is all about. Dylan’s serious and thoughtful profile, with his characteristic curvature of the nose, is made in black while the hair is made as one colorful mane and according to me represent a range of activities and interests that Dylan presents trough his music. Glaser placed in the bottom side word “Dylan” which is big and noticeable but it wasn’t dominant in regard to rest of the composition, because he used saturated red shade and typeface which is very well harmonized with all other elements.

This is another one artwork that is great it its simplicity and where minimum of elements tells the whole story. This is a cover for the book about one of the greatest painters of all time, Vincent Van Gogh, highly respected and recognized after his death, and unrewarded and underrated during his short and unhappy life. Despite all bad circumstances and misfortune which followed him from the day he was born, he was persistent in creating his remarkable artwork which no one recognized as a real masterpieces. He struggled with solitude and mental and emotional issues, which eventually led him to death caused by self inflicted

This simple design of single pipe covered in paint tells everything on a first sight. It represents three main characteristic of Van Gogh: single object symbolizes his loneliness which followed him trough all his life, pipe which was, along with caffeine, his great companion, and paint and colors the whom he devoted his life. He used clean black sans serif typeface on a yellow background for the upper title, and handwritten font for the title bellow the pipe which create good harmony with the rest of design.

Another simple and mesmerizing artwork of Milton Glaser. It is dedicated to war in Darfur. Black African hand from which growing different skin colors fingers where every finger represent one human race. He metaphorically presented in a simple and unique way that all human races originated from Africa so there is no reason for any kind of discrimination, violence and keeping eyes closed on any kind of injustice. Another example where clean and simple design allows the message to be read on a first sight.

This is a cover for his book “Art is  work” , which represents overview of his remarkable artwork as well as the role that design plays in today’s business world. He created vivid and  colorful portrait illustration on a plain black background which create good contrast. In the same time black background tones down those colors. He added various cuttings with illustrations, which symbolically presents experiments and working toward the final goal in design.  

MIRKO ILIC
Mirko Ilic is another great designer whose artwork was, among others, socially and politically engaged. Born and raised in Bosnia, graduated in School of Applied Art in Zagreb, he was unfortunately familiar with a war that occurred during the 1990’ in that area so he used his talent and skills to create some remarkable  designs which clearly expressed his feelings toward social circumstances, but this is a small section in his range of  design disciplines. Through his artwork, he marked the beginning of the “new wave” in Croatia. Famous for his comics and illustrations, he worked for the numerous magazines such as New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Panorama, and also cooperated on Hollywood movie “You Got Mail”, creating the title sequence. He is an author of several significant books about graphic design such as “Design of Dissent” which he co-authored with Milton Glaser. 

This is a design he created for the album cover which refer to music compilation of  most significant bands in 1980’. Album was named “Svi mars na ples! (All march to the dance!)” according to popular song of Yugoslavian band “Bijelo Dugme”. Design presents different legs marching in order where every leg symbolically present one prominent band of that era.  Every leg has visual appearance that was characteristic for the certain band and above each leg is band name written in small typeface so it was easy to see what is on compilation. I like this design, it is original and symbolically presents era of good old music and some other period.

This artwork is called “Dayton, ten years after” and refers to war in former Yugoslavian republics which was ended in peace conference in US by signing Dayton Agreement. This is an illustration that pictures the baby chicken coming from the two war helmets instead of egg shelves. It metaphorically shows effects of war, telling that everything in the near future will be born from this war and will bear the consequences. 

Through this artwork Ilic drew attention to problem of terrorism. He presented terrorist who puts the gun on victim’s head but in the same time, he puts the weapon on his head too. He pointed on the fact that terrorism is equally devastating to both victims and terrorists, who are also victims in some way. Accepting the role of terrorist, person convicts himself to fatal consequences, similar to those their victims experienced.

Yet Another critic is expressed trough this whimsical and provocative design which shows America’s domination and how we all get what US serves. Very interesting illustration where guest with a knife and fork waiting to consume US “specialties” nicely served in silver plate. 

JAMES VICTORE

James Victore is American graphic designer, one of the most influential and prominent artist whose original style and rebellious attitude moved the boundaries. He said for himself that he is a quiet man and such characteristic is what makes a good designer which means he let himself to speak visual language and he did it good. Speaking of technology, he could be considered as an “old school designer” as he told he is not so familiar with computer. His artwork may seem on first sight as some scribbling on a paper but if we change our point of view, it is understood that this man spoke about some important thing. I like his strong attitude and freedom to step out from standards and rules. He told he is not obsessed with spaces between letters and its appeal, for him is more important the meaning of the words. He advised designers to go out from their offices and too seek ideas on the bench in the park or while having beer in local pub, stating that office is just for work.  

This is from the beginning of his career when he challenged the public with this provocative poster. The message and reaction was so strong that police had to rip them off  from the walls. Victore later said that he was overwhelmed with joy because of it and just kept working on own manner without desire to please anyone than himself. He presented Colombo as an skeleton dressed like Indian where he directly pointed on some other truth which people may not consider while regarding Colombo as a hero.

Simple artwork that looks like a plain scribbling but it shows all main elements of racism. Black letters which look like they are on the run while big “C” letter with a jaws framed in red (which associates in blood) is chasing them.

Another design that refer to racism showing famous word guessing game where player for every failed guess gets the one part of body hanged. Expecting word is “Nigger” insulating expression for black people.

Another controversial design where he expressed his feelings and political attitude toward American former president. When he was asked about it he told in his manner that he has nothing against president Bush, he actually loves pirates!

This artwork depicts political and social circumstances in South Africa which are constantly bad  as the time passing by. It seems that all problems remain despite the generation replacement.

STEFAN SAGMEISTER

Stefan Sagmeister is Austrian graphic designer and typographer, based in New York mostly famous for his album cover design for some of the most influential musicians and bands such as Lou Reed, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, David Byrne, Pat Metheny, and OK Go. His career was promising since he was awarded for his work at the age of 15. He later graduated at the University of Applied Arts  Vienna and worked with Leo Burnett’s Hong Kong Design Group and Tibor Kalman’s M&Co design Company and pursued his career by establishing his own design firm Sagmeister Inc.

Just like with James Victore, I like his rebellious attitude, and holding to his own style which made him unique and so successful. His designs are simple and well blended that they look so natural. 

First one among them is for book “Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far”: Trying to look good limits my life”. I love this idea of creating words in such environment and it all look so natural with dose of nostalgia and peace. It is simply amazing and I like the message behind this artwork too. Something he learned from his life and work experience is that focusing too much on aesthetic appeal can distract you from the real essence.

Legendary band, one of the best in the history of music, and one of my favorite. This is design cover for their album in 1997 called “Bridges to Babylon”. Another simple and effective look that shows myth lion standing tall and roaring. I like typeface as well, white letters on black background, not too dominant but catches the eye.

This is a design I am emotionally attached to. I was sixteen when I entered the music shop to buy this album and when I saw this promotional poster I asked salesman if there is a chance to buy one. He took it off from the wall and gave me as a gift. I had it on my wall for years, until he started to fade and change colors. I loved this illustration without even know that it was Sagmeister’s work. I later found out that design had to be replaced because part of Hindu population was offended. I still think of it as a one fantastic artwork.

Inspired by his meaningless dreams he came across the idea to visualize this message in form of very interesting typographic artwork. Background is dark starry night with with some abstract forms like octopuses in spaces which symbolizes variety and mess which are presented in dreams. I especially like the typeface and how is harmonized with the other elements.

I generally like his idea to visually present his thoughts about life and conclusions he made due his personal experience. It is something like visually designed quotations. It gave me some idea for my future work.

YOSSI LEMEL

Yossi Lemel is Israelis graphic designer, recognized in a world mostly for his war inspired posters. His artwork are provocative, daring, controversial, with direct strong messages. Many of them carry something that is serious and heavy and that is what caught my attention in a second. On the other hand, his designs are simple and strait and immediately get to the heart. 

Designed for International AIDS day. He pointed on a very interesting way the importance of using condoms relating them with lifebuoys.

This is a simple interesting poster for Graphic design conference in Israel. I liked the way how he paired together colored pencil as a symbol for graphic design with cactus which symbolically presents Israel.

This is a poster from anti war art exhibition which is called “Explosive Ideas” because his artistic ideas was related to explosion and terrorism. This was common theme of his artwork in general. He pictured two pencils stands tall and one of them suffered explosive attack which suggests on terroristic attack on New York that took place on September 11^th, 2001.

Another poster from the same exhibition and with same goal; to show artist’s intention to point on war and terrorism. This design shows wax pastel as a designer’s tool grouped together and tied in a form of explosive.

Although all Lemel’s design are strong and provocative, this one completely mesmerizes me. He has ability to points to the core of problems with one seemingly simple picture and to unmercifully expose the ugly true. Big smoke explosion creates form of human anatomy with a evil face.

This poster is dedicated to Tsunami attack in Japan in 2011. I found some exceptional designs related to this theme but again this one has that strong bitter taste characteristic for Lemel. He pictured red sun which going down leaving the big bloody trail on the sea. I admire his ability to present serious events and circumstances in a very bitter and strong way because this is the only way for people to understand the severity of problem.

In the same manner he honored the victims of New York terrorist attack in September 11^th, 2001 by creating this dark deadly logo for Manhattan.

Another sharp political critique expressed in a form this provocative poster was addressed to UN. He obviously pointed on their inability and slowness to react in some critical situations.

LUBA LUKOVA

Luba Lukova is Bulgarian born graphic designer, based in New York. This talented artist established herself by creating very unique, simple styled artwork, but powerful and provocative with clear strong message. Her work is engaged to some serious social issues and she often takes opportunity to sharply criticize social circumstances in nowadays life. Because of its simplicity, limitation in color palette and determination to stick to hand drawing, her artwork stand out from the sea of complex and modern imaginary.  

She made a range of posters called “Social justice” where she strictly criticizes the social circumstances and social injustice. 

This is great simple illustration but very powerful in her intention to depict this social problem which is widely present all over the world. Illustrating working chair with a eagle claw that grab the money, she metaphorically presented corruption and greed that stand behind the mask of corporations.

Another poster from this series is this one which, again, pictures the greed and unfairly divided income between some big corporations and their employees. She illustrated the pie where the biggest piece goes to big fork which metaphorically presents general manager and the small pieces is divided between numerous employees. She ironically named it “Income gap” alluding on managers greed to grab it all for themselves.

By creating these two posters she attacked American social issues, primarily health care system where health insurances funds doesn't provide proper care for individuals. She pointed on this problem by  creating illustration of open umbrella which doesn't have this essential thing to create a shelter from the rain, and that is cover.

On the right side is poster called ”Social Security” and shows a picture of fish skeleton with only head preserved and head is in a form of US flag which basically means that there is nothing left for those who are under this leading positions in US.

These two posters below alludes on limitation we are encountered in nowadays social circumstances. She pointed on lack of freedom that we have as individuals, and how system is determined to forbid or reshape something that doesn’t suits its standards.

When I saw this poster I thought how it could be read in two different ways. Luba Lukova illustrated black man who cleans the toilet and message across the illustration “They take our jobs” which probably means that there is no job that should be left for them . She certainly expressed her feelings toward race discrimination when she presented black man doing this dirty job with worrying face expression. She pointed on people bigotry and injustice toward black population. Or maybe she wanted to tell that people should clean after themselves instead of leaving it to others.

Another simple striking illustration that shows Lukova’s attitude toward the human relationship with nature and eco system. She presented the tree which is forced to cut itself with axe and she called it “Eco crime”.

This is something I strongly agree with because I am also sick of media brainwashing and all those “must have” and “must do”. I like the way she presented it. She created simple illustration using only three colors she told everything by that.

I generally really love her style, every artwork she made I could put in my blog as something that is inspiring and strong. That is my impression about her.