Since the contents of this blog aren't in the correct order of projects or time created, I have linked all of the posts into seperate categories to your right.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Final Calligraphic Piece Conclusion
I began my calligraphy piece based on my inspiration through tattoos and the way in which their script and fonts have developed over the year into a very interesting and unique genre. A number of tattoo fonts have very interesting histories, being based on calligraphy, roman lettering and also gothic is quite common. The typographic background for tattoo type faces is the same as 'normal' typography, the only difference is the application.
When challenged with a word to select out of the list handed out, I found myself battling with a whole number of choices and decisions as to what would be the most interesting and most fun word to choose to concentrate on for this project. Through experimentation (viewable in my A3 folder) you can see that I've experimented with a number of different words, ranging from positive to negative backgrounds. Throughout I've pretty much maintained the same use of tool, the end of a biro pen, that I so quickly fell in love with through the initial experimental stages.
The thought struck me to create the tattoo inspired project when reading an article on tattoo inspired typography and graphic design in a recent issue of Computer Arts. It allowed me to see that not only are tattoos becoming more popular amongst people in day to day life but also inspiring graphic designers and other people in the creative industries, which inadvertently has inspired me.
I began by researching a number of different fonts and complying my favourites, all of which had a calligraphic/script nature or history to them. I finally found a font that really inspired me, which was VTC Nue Tattoo Script that I found on dafont.com. This was a breakthrough for me since I was finding it difficult to pinpoint how I was going to go about creating all the different elements of my design that I wanted. I then copied this font onto tracing paper, adding my own little swirls and personal touches, to maintain its individuality.
I then inked it (using black ink, since it's the most common and obvious colour when tattooing a piece of script/writing) onto the tracing paper using the end of the biro pen. I really love the effect this tool has on the paper, it allows for large drops of ink that can then be spread around to create the desired impression.
After creating the inked final piece, I realised that my decision to allow the viewer to combine it with images of so called masculinity wouldn't work as I would have liked it too. On finishing the final design, I realised the type spoke for itself and really worked as a simple clean typographic piece. I'm glad that this realization happened though as it's an insight as to how type can hold it's own against imagery and doesn't always have to be combined to be powerful and impacting. I feel that this 'mistake' taught me a lot and one I will remember in the future.
Overall, I'm really pleased with how the project has gone and think that I wouldn't do a lot differently if I'd had another chance. I've enjoyed exploring many different methods, techniques and tools in calligraphy and various similar mediums and think that it's definitely began building blocks for my typographic and calligraphic knowledge as I grow and mature as a graphic designer.
When challenged with a word to select out of the list handed out, I found myself battling with a whole number of choices and decisions as to what would be the most interesting and most fun word to choose to concentrate on for this project. Through experimentation (viewable in my A3 folder) you can see that I've experimented with a number of different words, ranging from positive to negative backgrounds. Throughout I've pretty much maintained the same use of tool, the end of a biro pen, that I so quickly fell in love with through the initial experimental stages.
The thought struck me to create the tattoo inspired project when reading an article on tattoo inspired typography and graphic design in a recent issue of Computer Arts. It allowed me to see that not only are tattoos becoming more popular amongst people in day to day life but also inspiring graphic designers and other people in the creative industries, which inadvertently has inspired me.
I began by researching a number of different fonts and complying my favourites, all of which had a calligraphic/script nature or history to them. I finally found a font that really inspired me, which was VTC Nue Tattoo Script that I found on dafont.com. This was a breakthrough for me since I was finding it difficult to pinpoint how I was going to go about creating all the different elements of my design that I wanted. I then copied this font onto tracing paper, adding my own little swirls and personal touches, to maintain its individuality.
I then inked it (using black ink, since it's the most common and obvious colour when tattooing a piece of script/writing) onto the tracing paper using the end of the biro pen. I really love the effect this tool has on the paper, it allows for large drops of ink that can then be spread around to create the desired impression.
After creating the inked final piece, I realised that my decision to allow the viewer to combine it with images of so called masculinity wouldn't work as I would have liked it too. On finishing the final design, I realised the type spoke for itself and really worked as a simple clean typographic piece. I'm glad that this realization happened though as it's an insight as to how type can hold it's own against imagery and doesn't always have to be combined to be powerful and impacting. I feel that this 'mistake' taught me a lot and one I will remember in the future.
Overall, I'm really pleased with how the project has gone and think that I wouldn't do a lot differently if I'd had another chance. I've enjoyed exploring many different methods, techniques and tools in calligraphy and various similar mediums and think that it's definitely began building blocks for my typographic and calligraphic knowledge as I grow and mature as a graphic designer.
Final Calligraphy Piece Proposal
As my final piece, as experimented with in my A3 folder, I plan to use a tattoo-esque font to symbolize masculinity in modern day society. To maintain the element of calligraphy, I've chosen to take inspiration from fonts that are used today for many tattoos. All of which have come from a calligraphic background. My interest in tattoos, the calligraphic script background that the font I plan to use will have and their relevance in today's society as a very masculine dynamic makes this idea work for me as a final piece for this project.
I also want to experiment with an added element to my final piece. I plan to draw the calligraphic writing onto one side of an A3 piece of paper, I then want to fold this piece in half, making a see through tracing paper window, with the word Masculinity running through the middle of the page. I then plan to make a number of A4 images, representing tattoos and masculinity that you can then chop and change to show up as the background of the calligraphy. This isn't something I want to spend a lot of time on since the calligraphy is what matters, but I think this element will tie in all of the subjects together as one, whilst still maintaining the typography piece on its own if necessary.
To create this piece, I plan to use my favourite tool throughout experimentation: the end of a biro pen. Using this tool allows me to create a thick blob of ink, that I then move around the page, leaving a very thick ink effect when concentrating on the same small area for a period of time. When using freehand, it allows for long thin lines that almost gradient in their effect from thick to thin.
I also want to experiment with an added element to my final piece. I plan to draw the calligraphic writing onto one side of an A3 piece of paper, I then want to fold this piece in half, making a see through tracing paper window, with the word Masculinity running through the middle of the page. I then plan to make a number of A4 images, representing tattoos and masculinity that you can then chop and change to show up as the background of the calligraphy. This isn't something I want to spend a lot of time on since the calligraphy is what matters, but I think this element will tie in all of the subjects together as one, whilst still maintaining the typography piece on its own if necessary.
To create this piece, I plan to use my favourite tool throughout experimentation: the end of a biro pen. Using this tool allows me to create a thick blob of ink, that I then move around the page, leaving a very thick ink effect when concentrating on the same small area for a period of time. When using freehand, it allows for long thin lines that almost gradient in their effect from thick to thin.
Masculinity
The purest definition of masculinity:
Masculinity is, according to Collins Dictionary, possessing qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man. The term can be used to describe any human, animal or object that has the quality of being masculine. When masculine is used to describe men, it can have degrees of comparison—more masculine, most masculine.
Masculinity is, according to Collins Dictionary, possessing qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man. The term can be used to describe any human, animal or object that has the quality of being masculine. When masculine is used to describe men, it can have degrees of comparison—more masculine, most masculine.
In many cultures, the basic characteristics of masculinity include physical prowess (strength, fitness, and a lack of laziness), courage, wisdom, and honourable or righteous behaviour.
The opposite can be expressed by terms such as unmanly or epicene. A typical near-synonym of masculinity is virility (from Latin vir, man); and the usual complement is femininity.
However, in modern day society, masculinity can be a very obvious stereotype that a number of men try to live up to. Some men, trying to secure themselves as a masculine role model, may exercise to gain muscle, to seem stronger and more tough, may cover themselves in tattoos, to again, seem tough and unbreakable and may partake in activities such as martial arts or boxing.
Bear in mind, these are stereotypes, derived from modern day society, by no means a man without these attributes is less of a man.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
VICE Magazine
VICE magazine is an art and culture magzine, distributed free throughout the UK. It features a number of weird and wacky articles, exhibiting music, film, art, and challenges stereotypes in modern day culture.
The design of the magazine is simple and tends to rely heavily on content and photos, keeping the layouts simple and with very little colour (apart from the photography, of course.) These types of layouts are the kind that really interest me, they balance text and image rather than diverting the viewer away from the content with overbearing design. Many of the articles feature creative and interesting people, making the nature of the magazine dynamic and diverse. I think considering the content, there isn't a massive need for over the top layout since the content speaks for itself.
Computer Arts
Computer Arts magazine is a graphic designer directed magazine, released on a monthly basis throughout the UK.
Not only does it exhibit the newest designers, and article upcoming studios, iPhone apps and other new and upcoming technology but it also features an entire section on graphic design, illustration and motion graphics etc tutorials for you to try and do yourself. It also comes with a free CD with all the necessary images needed for the featured tutorials as well as some great freebies such as Photoshop brushes.
What I like about the layout of this magazine is the way it fills up the pages with information and an abundance of pictures, but does so without bombarding the viewer with messy, cluttered layout. It often sticks to a small selection of colour for each spread and uses simple shapes and layout devices to balance the design and direct the viewer to the focus points selected by the designer.
This for me, makes Computer Arts not just a great informative magazine to subscribe to, but also a great example and inspiration for designing my own layouts in the future.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Tattooing and Calligraphy
Ale Paul is an Argentinian based typographer, with a vast number of fonts under his belt. He has been featured in many exhibitions and I think personally that he really does bridge the gap between tattooing and calligraphy. Tattoos are a major part of my life and greatly influence a lot of my interests and ideas in design. So when developing ideas in calligraphy, tattoos are going to play a big part in my inspiration. Ale Paul is a massive inspiration for this project and I'd like to take note of certain aspects of his designs as a possible basis for my final calligraphy piece.
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