Poster for Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver, by Jacek Staniszewski
Wow, what a class! I hope you enjoyed our discussion of the brief history of Polish posters. Why is this development so significant for the history of art and graphic design in particular? This is one of the few times in the history of art (with the exception of the advent of the Gothic in the 11th Century AD) that, for a brief moment, the art produced by the artists prevailed over ideology and censorship to bring forth a highly original style that was embraced by the people. It took a tacit understanding between both the artists and the people that this wonderfully diverse, colorful & bizarre imagery was the only way to tap into freedom.
So, again, we have plenty to discuss (besides Polish posters): Alvin Lustig, Helvetica, Dada collage, Moholy-Nagy, Shigeo Fukuda, advertising, propaganda, Fortune magazine, George Giusti, Kula Robbins' Jenny on the job, Norman Rockwell, etc. (to avoid cacophony, if a comment addresses Polish posters, please, talk about individual artists, so more people have a chance to contribute).
Go ahead!
16 comments:
Not discussed in list above, but have brushed on in class was the talk about Saul Bass and logo design. I have a love for this designer as a whole. His influences and structure of this work has set above others. He has brought people to look at his work for inspiration and connection. To take what the world knows and simplify into a single small image is quite amazing. Saul Bass is a graphic Design Legend. He is an American graphic designer and Oscar winning filmmaker, best known for his picture sequence, film posters and corporate logos. Some famous logos he has done would be Fuller Paints, United Airlines, Avery, Girl Scouts, AT&T, US Postage, and more. What is simply the truth in almost everything is If there is nothing wrong with it, don't change it, and if the design never changed, it is perfect. The logo is the most important thing. It is the first thing that anyone views, and grasps what the company is all about. He is a master of his time. We can always learn from past opochs.
-Gianna Guirgis
As we discussed in class, Helvetica has become a highly used font for its simple elegance stemming from the clean linear design of the characters. Originally named Neue Haas Grotesk by its designer Max Miedinger, the font was redesigned for the use of the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, and the font was renamed Helvetica. Helvetica quickly became popular in swiss design and gradually spread throughout Europe and to the US. Notably, Helvetica was chosen as the font for the New York Metro in the 60s and in 1984 was chosen as the font for the first Mac. Funny enough, critics dislike Helvetica for the reasons fans love it. Some believe it is too simple and the safe choice when creating projects. In a way I agree - I was surprised to hear Helvetica was the most popular font because when I sit and look at it, there is nothing attractive enough to make me like it or want to use it. However, when considering its prevalence in graphic design, I see the font everyday and would never have realized. I think this is partly due to the wide variation in Helvetica styles and derivations. Yet overall, I understand the efficiency in using Helvetica and enjoyed learning about is journey.
- Kailyn Hayes
Design is one of the most important features of effective advertising. Advertising is the creation of visuals used to promote a brand and to get the public to respond in a certain way. Advertising differs from propaganda in the sense that it is used to sell a product or service, whereas propaganda is used to influence people’s beliefs and actions. Effective advertisement must be designed with the knowledge of its audience and the skilled use of media. The main media used for are newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and social media. An example of advertising are commercials, which are very prominent in television. Many products are advertised through commercials, including cars, foods, electronics, clothes, and more. Companies spend a large amount of their revenue on advertising, and some profit when designs are effective. If consumers are unaware of a company’s product, they are unlikely to buy it which is why advertising is so important.
-Robert Bolton
What particularly interested me during our previous class discussion was the impact of posters on not only advertising, but the promotion of aesthetic technique and consumption on a large scale. When discussing movie posters, it was interesting to me that individual artists had their own unique styles in rendering the meaning of media and what themes they personally find important enough to make the forefront or emphasis of their art. For example, artist Julian Palka has his own unique style that is grounded on very specific and distinctive techniques. However, when compared to an artist like Waldemer Sweirzy, his style is completely different. Associated with the time of creation, these images and posters hold their own weighty narratives that emphasize not only the original media they represent, but also the personal style of each artist. Additionally, multiple depictions of the same original media (book, movie, theater, etc.) can impact an individual’s understanding of that media and change what they perceive to be the most important aspect of it. This shows that there is a very apparent and important intersection between art and advertising, and that the psychology of advertising impacts the artist’s attempt and representation on a large, even global, scale.
Divya Srinivasan
Helvetica is a sans-serif typeface that is commonly used and known to be popular around the world. It originated in the early 1950s by two Swiss typeface designers Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffman. Its main purpose was to introduce the tradition of the International Style of graphic design. Since this typeface was so popular, it was commonly used in logos, signages, posters, and clothing. The original name for the typeface was Neue Haas Grotesk. Helvetica was renamed in 1960 to make it easier to sell overseas. Based on the typeface's design, both designers Miedinger and Hoffman wanted to create a neutral design that lacked the typeface's personality. An example of Helvetica being used in signages can be seen in many subway transportation systems like the New York Subway or Metrorail systems. Other examples that Helvetica typeface has been used in are logos like BMW, Target, Scotch, and Panasonic. In addition, while researching more on Helvetica, I learned that Steve Jobs chose that typeface to be the headline for his Macintosh computers in 1984. It also became the typeface choice for the first iPhone. Overall, researching the Helvetica typeface was interesting as well as knowing how it became one of the most dominant typefaces used around the world.
-Joshua Escobedo
What I found interesting about Alvin Lustig was that he wasn't just a graphic designer but also a pretty impressive furniture designer. In the early 1940s, Lustig and his wife, Elaine Lustig Cohen, opened up a design studio in Los Angeles, where they worked together on a bunch of projects, including furniture design. Lustig's furniture designs were characterized by clean lines, geometric forms, and a modernist aesthetic that was ahead of its time. He wasn't afraid to use unconventional materials, like plywood and plexiglass, and he experimented with innovative construction techniques that pushed the boundaries of traditional furniture design. One of Lustig's most famous furniture designs was the "Excursion" chair, which he created in 1947. The chair had a curved, cantilevered design that was not only visually striking but also super comfortable. Even though Lustig is often better known for his graphic design work, his furniture designs were highly influential and helped to shape the direction of modernist design in the United States. Lustig's legacy as a furniture designer may not get as much attention as his graphic design work, but his innovative designs continue to inspire and influence designers today.
- Emily Collins
Dada collage is a form of collage similar to photomontage, that incorporates printed photos, painted elements, and other collaged items. While Dadaist art is objectively absurd—opting for humor, silliness, and irrationality—the incorporation of photographs that brings an element of reality to collages, turning those absurd elements into disturbing facts of reality. Rather than extrapolate on the meaning of space and existentialism, Dadaists utilize collage to further their philosophical beliefs and for political activism. Pioneers of the Dada collage movement include Kurt Schwitters, Raoul Hausmann, Man Ray, and Max Ernst. One of Raoul Hausmann’s collage stuck out to me in particular: A Bourgeois Precision Brain Incites a World Movement. The title upon first reading is ironic itself, the overall message is even funnier—it is the idea that members of the middle class, who stem from similar backgrounds and have similar facets of being, are the ones that are moving the world forward is absurd, when the reality is they tie us to the past. The dynamic composition draws the eyes in different directions, but the collage is framed so it is contained within the piece. The inclusion of a photo of himself adds an element of self-aware degradation that is also amusing.
- Mary Gorski
Good job. Don't mind me.
Norman Rockwell had the ability to paint scenes of everyday life that were both nostalgic and charming. His paintings often showed families gathered around the dinner table, kids playing outside, and couples dancing at parties.One of his most famous series of paintings was the "Four Freedoms" series, which were inspired by a speech given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. These paintings were really important during World War II and helped to promote the idea of American freedom and democracy. People loved them so much that they were reproduced all over the place. Another thing that made Rockwell so special was his talent for portraits. He painted some really famous people, like Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, but he also painted portraits of everyday people too. I think that's really cool because it shows that he cared about all people, not just the rich and famous. Some people criticized Rockwell's work for being too sentimental or idealistic, but I think that's what makes it so special. His paintings capture a time in American history when things were simpler and people were kinder to one another. Overall, Norman Rockwell was an amazing artist who created some truly beautiful works of art. His legacy continues to inspire and captivate people all over the world.
-Sydney Essex
Shigeo Fukuda's design concepts and design works are world-renowned, and have had a profound impact on the design world in the second half of the 20th century. He always abandons the old and seeks the new, and systematically integrates various ideas and innovations. Each batch of works reflects the leap of his subjective imagination and his ingenuity in controlling and creating works. A rational sense of order and continuity emerges from it. Shigeo Fukuda's grasp of contradictory space technology and proper application is another new breakthrough and achievement in trompe l'oeil. Using this principle, he created a complex combination of two-dimensional space and three-dimensional space, so that thoughts and performances can be perfectly interpreted, creating a mysterious and incredible visual feast, which is why the created works are so attractive one. His visual exploration of space achieves new cognition visually. The unique and weird visual world is combined in the form of reverse thinking in a seemingly messy and different visual space, breaking the rules and creating in a heterogeneous way. The works are more intriguing. Shigeo Fukuda's design concept of heterogeneity and isomorphism is a pioneer in displaying posters in the form of visual symbols. In Shigeo Fukuda's works, this design principle is extremely cleverly used.
--Kai Gao
I enjoyed learning about the Polish posters and their impact on the history of graphic design. Still, I’m choosing to write more about the Italian American graphic designer, George Giusti, and his impact on graphic design. Giusti was known for working across a wide range of art styles which included print, illustration, and advertising. He was a master at typography; utilizing simple, clean lines and clear fonts helped revolutionize the way design was created. His use of color was also very well-known as he often worked with limited palettes to create gorgeous and harmonious colorways. His work on the covers of Time Magazine got him very well-known as he designed over 80 covers for the magazine during the 1950s and 60s. On these covers, he showcased his graphic imagery and typography to capture the stories within the magazine. His covers were praised for their impact and simplicity, and he helped establish the company as one of the most influential magazines of the era. George Giusti was a very influential person in the world of graphic design, and I was very fascinated by both his works of art and his life story. His legacy can be seen throughout the graphic design world even today which shows his true impact.
-Damien DiTaranto
I am interested in the poster you've paste at the top of the website, poster for Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver, by Jacek. I have appreciation for the visual language that artists use to communicate ideas and emotions. With this poster, Staniszewski employs a bold color scheme that immediately catches the viewer's attention. The use of black against the white background creates a sense of tension and unease, hinting at the violent themes, he creates a sense of danger and foreboding that immediately draws the viewer's attention. Jacek Staniszewski is a notable graphic artist known for his bold use of color, but in the case of this particular poster, the power of the artwork lies in its minimalist black and white design. The stark contrast of the image draws the viewer's eye to Bickle's intense gaze, conveying the character's mental and emotional state.
He is an pioneer in that area and even today, this is my first time to experience such a horrible poster.
Rui Zhu
During World War II, the US government created "Jenny on the Job" by Kula Robbins to encourage women to work in traditionally male-dominated areas like factories. Jenny was a strong, capable woman who embodied the idea of women doing their part for the war effort. The government made posters and illustrations featuring Jenny to inspire other women to follow her lead and to change public opinion about women's abilities. The campaign was a huge success, and millions of women took jobs in factories and other industries. Jenny on the Job became an important symbol of the feminist movement, representing the idea that women could work outside the home and contribute to society in a variety of other meaningful ways. "Jenny on the Job" continues to be an important reminder of the progress that women have made in the workforce and the ongoing struggle of gender equality.
Eva Klovatskiy
Founded in 1929, Henry Luce's Fortune Magazine strived to be America's "undisputed most beautiful magazine". With a sleek organizational structure adorned with unmatched cover designs, Fortune magazine was just that. The cover art fluctuated in source from (at the time) upcoming (now well known) photographers, illustrators, designers and fine artists. While there are many publications that aimed to capture the essence of the times, a living zeitgeist of sorts, Fortune Magazine more specifically served as a display of the art of commerce during the 1930s. Throughout its lifetime, Fortune magazine issued many groundbreaking covers, but its first 15 years in print are revered for the publication's emergence as a trailblazing combination of design and media.
Sarah Stehling
An important aspect discussed last class was the differences between advertising and propaganda: the former brings products, services, or causes to public notice and persuades people to respond. At the same time, the latter uses half-truths, slogans, and parables, and exploits the grievances of those who are unaware. Propaganda can manipulate people's beliefs and attitudes. An artist showcased in class who I was very interested in being in contact with was Alvin Lustig. His book covers and the elements in them capture extremely well the essence of the text and the emotions of the story. On his website, I could see that several of his covers use geometric shapes and composition to convey emotions. In his covers for Industrial Design magazine, I could also notice elements of Die Neue Typographie, such as collages, geometric shapes, and diagonals.
Roberta Macedo
Polish poster art emerged in the mid-20th century, during a time of political and social turbulence. Despite the oppressive regime, artists managed to forge a visual language that transcended the boundaries of censorship, tapping into the collective desire for freedom and self-expression. This remarkable achievement can be compared to the advent of the Gothic style in the 11th century AD, another instance when the creative spirit overcame the constraints of its time. The beauty of Polish posters lies in their diverse, colorful, and bizarre imagery, which was at once subversive and universally appealing. This distinct style served as a form of silent protest, enabling artists and citizens alike to communicate their aspirations for liberty and autonomy through visual means. By fostering a tacit understanding between the creators and the audience, Polish posters managed to defy the control of the ruling powers and become a cherished symbol of resistance.The influence of Polish posters extends beyond their historical and political significance, as their innovative aesthetics have had a lasting impact on the fields of art and graphic design. This revolutionary movement is closely tied to other groundbreaking developments, such as Dada collage, László Moholy-Nagy's constructivist works, Shigeo Fukuda's optical illusions, and the striking visuals found in advertising, propaganda, and publications like Fortune magazine. Kula Robbins' "Jenny on the Job" series exemplifies the cross-pollination of ideas that Polish poster art has inspired, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of visual language in the face of adversity.
gigi moynihan
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