Sunday, November 13, 2016

your turn #8


(above the pitch of Saul Bass to ATT for its logo redesign -watch and learn)

there's plenty to discuss: Lubalin, symbol signage, Stankowski's metadesign, Swiss Topography Style, advertising, propaganda, Bass film title design, Alvin Lustig, pre logo, logo, the logo masters: Rand, Bass, Chermayeff & Geismar. 

go ahead,

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The subject that I found most interesting during last weeks lecture was the evolution of company logos. I especially found it ironic that there was a direct correlation between the change of logo design and the fiscal performance of said company. I always suspected that an identity change like a new logo meant perhaps change in ownership, an evolution of the company’s services, or just trying to stay relevant and consistent to their competitors. I also respect the commitment to iconic logos like those belonging to Mobil and NBC. Given that they represent a gas company – a commodity that’s needed by any communities with cars – and a nationally broadcasted TV network, the products sell themselves. Changing their logos almost seems redundant (unless they pursue a path that markets or sells something different).
-Bryan Vargas

Anonymous said...

Within the previous class’s content one of the most interesting pieces of work to me was the Wes Wilson poster from the 1960 sub-conscious series. As an artist I always found the swirling movement, color, and free flowing pattern of psychedelic art interesting, hence why Wilson’s poster caught my eye. His interesting use of color and movement within the picture plane of his poster gives a harmonious rhythm between picture and text, as well as an organic flare in line quality. Besides these interactions, his use of negative and positive space creates a sense of "good clutter" trapping the viewer’s eye within the piece, he also pulls the audience’s eye in to a point that his design creates a literal visual movement when you look at his pieces.

-Liliette Ferro

Anonymous said...

One of the more interesting parts of last week’s class was the discussion on company logos. I believe that a logo is one of the most important parts of a company, being that it is meant to catch the whole essence of the company. What really caught my attention was the works of Chermayeff and Geismar and how, at various different points in my life I have thought about how each one of the three logos is great. I had no idea that they were all done under the same designers, and it really shows how even though every company and logo is different, the work and the hand of the graphic designer shines through and really captures the attention of different people. It is easy to start seeing how different styles change according to each designer, and how their interpretations then go on to influence our lives without us even noticing them.

-Martina Sandoval

Anonymous said...

As I individually followed the lesson, one of the subjects that struck out to me started off with Anton Stankowski and the concept of metadesign, or the pre-logo era. The introduction to an abstract graphic design based solely on geometry and the use of color are enough to transmit a language of design about design. The language of dynamics and abstract action through the two elements of color and shape helped narrate process. This is a different approach then the many example viewed that generalize things or objects. In addition, to see familiar pieces of graphic design that are present today allowed to personally connect with the influence early designs have had on these logos. Before, when we viewed logos, they seem simple, like there isn't much behind them because they are so familiar... by seeing the transition from the 20th century to now, analyzing these logos are seeing influence from past projects and how the history of graphic design is coherent is visually interesting.

-Adrianna Rivera

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, the most interesting topic from last week’s lecture was the logo. I found this topic to be very interesting because I feel everyone can relate to it. Nowadays everything has a logo and we can very easily identify things by their logo. What struck me the most was what you said a logo represents: “A company’s personality and worth”. That is very impressive because it is saying that a logo can determine a big part of the company’s success with the public and how people perceive it. Another aspect of it that stood out to me was how the logo can evolve with time. As a company evolves, its logo evolves with it. A logo can show how the company has changed. It is amazing the power a logo can have and the thought and effort designers have to put into designing it, since it represents the whole identity of a company.
-Anat Sterental

Anonymous said...

Saul Bass and his trailers in the late 1950s were amazing because of its approach. The best title sequences are ones that are unique to that movie or TV shows. Saul Bass best known work was during the 1950s, and his work is of the 1950s, it is organic to the time period, manages to set the stage for the movie rather than tell the whole story. Bass might have gone out of style in the early 1960s with the transition from Basses way to the most common form of trailers and introductions today. The interesting thing is Bass's way of formulating trailers and introductions managed to make its way into Science Fiction and has ties to the TV show Stranger Things. The title sequence has been marveled at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a1lp_ygGB4) and its ties to early Bass work is eerie. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPDZkbq0Zp8) Mad mens opening credits seem to be a knockoff of Bass's anatomy of a murder intro. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ5-sdHP0YQ)
-Dante Petersen

Anonymous said...

The topic of this lecture I found the most interesting was the logo. I also found it interesting to learn the four key logo elements, veracity, worth, management, novelty, and permanence. To learn that each logo has a history of their own was something I found interesting. Something that I recently read about was taco bell changing their logo to something more modern and simple, but people freaked out about it. I feel like in most cases when a logo changes, it takes a while for people to adjust, especially if it is a well known brand. I think this is interesting and necessary. Reading the 65 expert logo design tips was something that I really enjoyed. I created my first logo for a coffee shop over the past summer and I was not at all expecting the amount of work that went into it.

-Emily Warren

Anonymous said...

From last class, I particularly enjoyed the works of symbols. I found it interesting how Roger Cook and Don Shanosky were able to design images that could transcend language barriers and the evolution of time that meant the same thing to whomever was looking at it. Their work in the early 1970s is still widely used in the modern day. This idea is both modernizing and standardizing, and it is nearly impossible to image a world today without these men’s designs. I also enjoyed the symbolic works of Alvin Ludwig, in his ability to create such simplistic designs that wholly captured the essence of the content. His use of soft geometric lines and minimal colors does not detract from the strong visual imagery that he is able to create. He is able to tell so much whilst showing so little.
-Tami Lake

Ana Gonzalez said...

One of the most interesting parts of last week’s lecture was Swiss Typography Style and logos. I truly enjoyed the unique style and rules that the Swiss had in regards to their designs. I found their art to be simplistic and strangely contemporary. I will be grabbing inspiration from their rule book for my future projects.

The logos are always nice to see. In particular, logo history really caught my interest. I wonder if someone can design a logo that lasts “forever”, one that can withstand time. I guess that depends on the company and the designer.

Lastly, the video masterpieces of Saul Bass reminded me of the past movies I have seen. Marvel movies actually do introductions like that. One example is the movie Deadpool which has a cynical/whimsical introduction and ending credits.

-Ana Gonzalez

Unknown said...

To me the most interesting thing about last class were the company logo’s. I was interested in the history of company logos and I went to the site www.logoorange.com . When I looked at the development of most company logo’s you can see a trend of logo’s getting simpler. Simplicity increases recognizability in a shorter period and it is easier to recal. I also think we living in a more complex environment nowadays, are looking for simplicity in almost everything. We want our lives to be simpler. And we clearly can see that too in the development of logo’s, if you look at Apple for example. Anyone that sees the logo with the apple knows, that is Apple. If I look at the old Apple logo, I wouldn’t have known it was Apple. The logo need more time to be looked at.

Kelly Brody said...

The most intriguing aspect of last class were the Saul Bass trailers. Looking back at the history of motion pictures class I took a few semesters ago, I am reminded of how mundane the opening credits of films used to be, with minutes of just words on a stagnant screen. Turning the opening credits into an art form revolutionized the way films were done, and adds interest and an element of suspense to the film. I wish more films would take this approach these days. The only film in recent memory that I can recall did a Saul Bass-like trailer/opening is the James Bond film "Skyfall." Though I can't remember the details of the film itself, I remember the opening credits vividly, which speaks to the impact of the art/graphic design. Also intriguing to me is logo design. A successful logo is pretty much essential for companies/brands, as being able to recognize a brand by its logo speaks to the impact the brand has on the general public. I found it impressive that Paul Rand is responsible for many of the logos that are still used worldwide today, and are so graphically appealing.

Anonymous said...

Although appearing quite simple in terms of design, the Swiss Typographic Style can really be successful at capturing the eye. Its geometry and uniformity give greater depth to the words that appear in the design. They indicate to the viewer that the words are not of greater importance than the rest of the elements in the design. Further, they signal to the viewer that imagination must be used in order to comprehend what the design is really trying to convey. This notion is also driven by the Swiss Typographic Style’s use of photography. In the Swiss Typographic Style, photography is accompanied by few words. Thus, it is used as the main attraction of the design. Recently, Apple placed photographs that were taken on the iPhone 6s on billboards in order to advertise the iPhone 6s. Similar to the Swiss Typographic Style, the billboards used few words and their main attractions were the photographs.

https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/15/shot-on-iphone/

-Emily Griffith

Anonymous said...

I love the video where Steve Jobs talks about Paul Rand.
I have heard Steve Jobs talk before, but not about design, and it was really great.
I have had an experience recently where I was disappointed with a product that I had to use, I had to touch, that would become a part of my life. In my graphic design class, our teacher advised us to get an external mouse if we had a personal laptop. She explained that using your hands to make all of your work would be very hard on your hands. And it was. My fingers started hurting and a specific muscle was tender. I finally went to Target and got an external mouse from GE last week.
As soon as I saw it, I was a little bummed. It. Was. Ugly.
So ugly.
So ugly.
Unfortunately, I like the mouse with wires (cause I would probably lose the USB plug in wireless ones come with) so that was my only option. My brother interned at GE this past summer, and he is in electrical engineering.
So apparently they aren't looking for designers, and it shows in their ugly products. But I think they could be the Affordable Apple if they actually put emphasis on product design. If I could, I would not have gotten that mouse.
Apple ruled the industry because of Steve Jobs' ability to see the value in having someone who could intellectually problem solve the visual needs of a product. Apple embodies cool, sleekness, and effectiveness. You know that an IPhone is going to work well cause it looks cool.
My mouse was clunky looking, had bad color choice, and overall looking like cheap plastic. I didn't know if I would regret my purchase until after I opened the box and used it, and it's okay.

Agnes A

Anonymous said...

The most interesting thing about last class was the Swiss typographic style. The poster of Helvetica font caught my eyes. I love the clean and simple design of the poster. The negative space on the bottom of the poster suggests mountains, which really is a smart design method. The red color of the background looks nice and helps to catch viewer’s eyes. Looking at all of the Swiss style posters, they have something in common. First is that they are all simple and clean. They do not have too many elements in one poster. Second is that they all have great use of negative space, which is a very important element in graphic design. Covering a poster with too many elements and leaving no space on it will distract viewer’s attention. One important element that making the Swiss style posters clean and neat is the use of grid. Applying different grid system in graphic design would help to create continuity. Magazine design is a great example of using grid system.

--Yiming Zhou

Anonymous said...

My favorite art works in the last class is Alvin Lusting’s works. He was a book designer, graphic designer and typeface designer. He preferred use geometric abstractions in his art works to represent the essence of the content. In my mind, most of people can’t understand the essence of geometric abstraction art, because this genre only show less “information” to us, maybe only several fundamental geometric forms. In Alvin’s works, I think he liked put some words in the work. It is better to understand than only geometric abstraction. His artwork was featured on the covers of classic works of modernist literature. Good color choosing combine with accurate geometric abstraction in the works which separates truly creative people from the less imaginative.

Yaoli Wang