Monday, 15 April 2013

Part 5: Assignment 5 -Research

I started my working process by exploring the range of posters of 70’s era. There are some very inspiring and valuable collections found on the internet where I can get real feeling of what was the trademark of that period when it comes to design.

I love custom made posters with authentic hand drawn typography so the 70’s are realm of that kind of art. I came across to some legendary movie posters which helped me to better direct myself toward the final goal.

 

I like this poster for its interesting red bleeding letters and a picture of red luscious woman's lips.  


This is a poster for legendary movie "One flew over cuckoo nest". The picture of Jack Nicholson in front of wire fence represent a good teaser for a movie. I also like this distinctive hand crafted typography.


I really like how this poster is illustrated. It is vibrant and colorful and I also like hand made typography  that goes very well with rest of the composition. I especially like the effect of letters on curved line between hands.


This is one simple poster based on photography of two main actors. I like those black and white retro picture and letters that create visual dynamic both as a combination of different typefaces as well as color combination.


This poster is the most impressive. Donald Sutherland's head in black and a vibrant illustration that comes out from it create a perfect dynamic. I also like those interesting letters.


Here I like great contrast and striking big title in red. Black and white illustration of a standing woman is in the forefront and the rest of illustration is in dark and yellow. I like this effect where two subtle but different illustrations together create beautiful contrast with bold and striking title. I would love to have this poster on my wall.


Another good poster with great contrasting elements. There is a car in black and yellow and a man as a silver figure that stands on the top of the hood. Everything is spiced with interesting typography in black and blue. 


This is a poster for a horor movie Baron Blood from 1972. I like the way composition was made with elements that hint a terror caused by this sadistic monster on a right hand side. Hand crafted interesting typography works very well with all other elements.


This is simple poster with a main actor Michael Cane in the forefront. I like the way his illustration is cobined with dark silhouette which draws attention to actor itself.


This is a complex illustration that consists of many elements but everything fit so well that it makes a great dynamic and harmony. The vibrant illustration of a man is in the forefront while women faces are back creating the subtle background. I also like the hand-drawn title.


These types of 3D typograhy is a characteristic of 70's and I like it. This is an action comedy movie Blazing Saddles so the letters look really blazing. Ilike the illustration and subtle orange tones that work well with a blue sky.


Another poster for Blazing Saddles but in different style. Black and yellow of the poster are interspersed with these pink 3D letters and script typeface on white ribbon.


I like how Faye Dunaway goes out from smoke of the cigarette that is held by Jack Nicholson. I also like color diversity of those two characters in black background accompanied wth yellow title. 


Another legendary movie that deserved and got a vey good poster. I like use of whitespace that draws attention to central illustration. I also like combination of typefaces here.


This is one of the best posters in 70's. I like the idea of head that resembles on rising sun and the red letters in persepective on a black ground. Everything works well from smart idea, hierarchy, to colors.


This illustration reminds me on Roy Lichtenstein's style and pop art. It portrays Michael Cane that holds a gun and woman and man inside that tube hinting the plot of the movie. I also lie illustrated letters in perspective.


Here I like designer's good use of different values in order to emhasize some elements such as eyes. This is example of richness which is achieved using different shades of gray along with slightly futuristic blue letters.


I especially like this hand drawn letters which are in focus. Olivia Newton John and John Travolta are placed on top of the title and the rest is a whitespace which works well by drawing attention to these few vivid elements.


I like these 3D letters which are dominant element of this poste. I also like how they are combined with this illustration making a good contrast both with the rest of the colors and white space.

Part 5: Assignment 5 - Brief


Abigail’s party 

Brief

Background information:
As I had an opportunity to watch Abigail’s party on You Tube I could get a feeling about this satirical play that portrays aspirations and taste of middle class in Britain. It is interesting that it doesn’t just depict middle class in England; I would say it also describes middle class in 70’ in general. Fashion, taste, aspirations are very similar among people of that era so I could easily find all those elements here, through various books, movies, TV shows and stories that depict that time. Main characters are Beverly Moss and her husband Laurence who invite their new neighbors Angela and Tony as well as Sue, whose 15 years old daughter Abigail holding a party back in the house. Although title of the play is Abigail’s party, Abigail is nowhere to be seen. Plot is about this small gathering of new neighbors. Sue as a divorced mother of 15 years old daughter expected a more conventional party with a dinner and instead she jumped into steamy atmosphere full of alcohol that additionally, among others, increased her fears and worries about her daughter’ party. As alcohol takes more control over the characters, they became more open dismissing their restraint. Beverly became to flirt with Tony in front of her and husband who eventually after a numerous embarrassing and stressful situations ended up with fatal heart attack. After a kindness and restraint at the beginning we can see how slowly under the influence of alcohol all characters show their real personality and frustrations and that is the core of this play; to see who they are really and in in what state of mind they are actually when they threw off their masks.

Project overview:
I have been asked to produce a poster (A3 portrait), a flyer (A5 landscape, double-sided), and newspaper advert (A6) to promote their event. They would also like their A5 programme cover. I also need to invent dates, times, places, names and other information relevant and required. The most important thing is that design has to have that retro 70’ feel which means that I should explore a range of various 70’ designs, along with trends and colors in order to depict this play properly. I have already found some inspiring posters on internet and I have visited one very interesting exhibition which is related to this subject.

Prime objective:
My prime objective is to evoke that 70’s feel along with aspirations and preoccupations of main characters. I have to find a way to visually intrigue audience by dropping a hint about plot of the play. I also have to pay attention to some crucial details that makes a framework of this play. I need to keep consistency throughout my designs.

Target market:
These are both young and older people. Young ones who want to get a feel about life in 70’so they could better understand nowadays situation making a parallel between those two eras. They can see how human nature remains the same in its endeavors to show off in better than it is. Older audience can trigger memories about that time and to conclude the same as young ones. It is important to say that this show which is written in 70’s is actually understandable even after 40 years.

About design:
As I said I will explore the design of 70’s starting from movie posters to music, fashion, furniture design, trends and colors. I will pay special attention to typography as a one of the key elements.

Part 5: Exhibition - Movie posters of 60's in Yugoslavia


WILLY 

Guglielmo Stipanov known as Willy was poster designer and drawer best known for his work on movie posters between 50's and 70's in Yugoslavia. He was born in Rijeka, Croatia in 1922 in family which was engaged in music and painting. He started to sell artistic paint and met many painters. He later managed to open atelier with his brother where he painted portraits of famous politicians of that time including the president Tito. After the war, two brothers began working on theatre posters but it didn't last too long. Willy was also playing harmonica on parties along with his brothers. In late 40's Willy became involved in movie poster painting and illustration. During the 50's, 60's and 70's he painted over 50 movie posters and several illustrations for Croatia Film. It was interesting fact that he painted posters before he even watched those movies. He had been given two or three pictures from the movie on which he had based his artworks. He gained big popularity and established himself as one of the most prominent artist despite his solitary way of life. He still lives and works in his old atelier.



I really like and respect those old masters of design who had good painting and drawing skills. It is much easier to work nowadays with a help of DTP software that can masks and covers any lack of artistic skills. I had an opportunity to attend Graphic Design Conference last month and I had an impression that more and more designers working on mastering Photoshop effects instead of working on their drawing and painting skills. There is no doubt that knowing software is highly beneficial and crucial for modern industry but still artworks that catch my eyes are usually custom made. Maybe I am too nostalgic and old fashioned but I promised myself that I will work more on my drawing and painting skills instead of Adobe software.


































Friday, 12 April 2013

Part 5: Exhibition - The History of Advertisment in Vojvodina



Vojvodina is autonomous province of Serbia which was in past a part of Austro-Hungarian Empire that collapsed in 1918. The largest ethnic groups are Serbs and Hungarians and this exhibition is about the beginning of advertisement in Vojvodina. 

I must say it made a big impression on me and I found those advertisements more interesting than these modern ones. First of all it was all custom-made by old artists and artisans. Illustrations and letters that are hand crafted have more authenticity and warmth than those from digital era. I especially like the text in advertisement that was often in form of interesting rhymes and some of them were actually small cute poems.  And generally what I like the most about these old advertisements is their clarity when it comes to messages. For a moment I had an impression that I was transferred to another time. I also had an opportunity to watch a one of the first video advertising but unfortunately I couldn’t capture it.

PACKAGE DESIGN






























BRAND IDENTITY




















CATALOGUES





FLYERS


















POSTERS



















NEWSPAPER ADVERTS