Primary Research – Observations
Whilst considering which object to use for my project, I was observing around TK MAXX where I saw a decorative vase. Instantly I was drawn to this vase especially how it was constructed as it has an interesting texture rather then being smooth like similar vases. I also saw potential of being able to really focus on the various tones and angles of the vase. However after thinking deeper into the project, with my desired specialism being graphic design, I began thinking of ways to link my object with graphic design styled work which with this vase, I could think of fewer ideas to link the two together.
Although the vase isn’t what i’m going to base my project on, I will avoid ruling it out as I do admire the construction of how it has been made. If I zoom in onto the vase I could use the texture of it as a potential background to add my preferred object onto.
With the vase not being to my preferences I was observing around the classroom when a watch caught my eye. With my passion heading towards graphic design instantly I generated multiple ideas of how I can play around with a watch such as using wordplay with the word ‘time’. Luckily, I have an old silver watch with a silver chain design which I could use. This made me more excited about the project and the graphic design pathways I can take with the watch which has overall brought excitement and enthusiasm which my watch.
When my tutor was presenting a previous students work, a graphic design piece caught my eye. I have took inspiration from this piece as I like how this student has really involved her object such as using it as a material to print with. To me, graphic design is based on playing around with something in as many ways as possible. The fact she has taken her work one step further by exaggerating the features and textual of the shoe. This is something I am considering doing with my own work such as by printing with the chain of my watch to really involve and experiment with my object.
Being interested in a similar style of work as this student, I decided to look into the artist which she was inspired by – ALAN FLETCHER
Secondary research – Article – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Fletcher_(graphic_designer)
Alan Fletcher, was a British graphic designer and was even labelled as “the most highly regarded graphic designer of his generation” His work tends to specialise in typography. by using a “witty and very personal visual style”. Alan Fletcher designed the front cover for the famous book – ‘The art book’.
For me, its the fact that Fletcher’s work is simple however it is also bold and aesthetically pleasing to look at, making it recognisable to an audience. With the ‘beware wet paint’ piece, I like how he has associated his words with the visuals of this piece. Such as, ‘wet paint’ is associated with a thin watery dripping texture, which he has interpenetrated into his work which instantly gives off an’ atmosphere that the paint is actually dripping. This is something I will be attempting into my own work as I feel it just tells a message in a more visual and exciting manor. Anyone can write “beware wet paint” on a sign, but its the fact he has created an exciting visual message which is eye catching and actually bring excitement into the message.
There is an on going colour scheme in some of Fletcher’s work, he uses similar colours in his artwork, I found that in a blog – https://designhistory2013.wordpress.com/2013/05/24/alan-fletcher-designer-research-by-carolyn-russell/ – He had a passion for sunrise colours in his design work that boldly and poetically helped change the inter war years of appreciating colour in design” His colours do have a calming atmosphere which relates to his obsessing with the sunrise.
Secondary research – Blog
Before beginning to focus on a specialism within my art work, I decided to research the elements which actually make up a graphic design piece to help bring me more confidence when planning potential pieces. During my research I found a blog which gave me an insight to the formal elements regularly seen in a graphic design specialism. This is mainly a guidance for me when planning my work which I will refer to. – https://www.unahealydesign.com/elements-of-good-graphic-design/.
Secondary research – websites
Whilst researching into existing artwork with watches. I found this half abstract painting which particularly took my attention.
This peice of artwork which I found on Saatchi website I found looked exciting to look at. However this is actually a painting and with painting not being one of my strong points, I thought of alternatives to be able to create a similar piece. This piece inspired me to create a college of a previous watch which I had drawn.
To me, artwork which include bold bright colours are the most eye catching and exciting. My previous artwork tends to follow a coloured route which is proving to be difficult with my object being a silvers watch. Therefore I began to think of ways to interpret colour into my work in a unique way which is where pop art came to mind, pop art is a style of art based on every day items, pop artwork tends to be bold, simple and bright images. It is also known that pop artists created “pictures of consumer product labels and packaging.” I was especially interested in this due to one route of a graphic designer is designing packaging and knowing how to catch the eye of an audience. With colour being something I love to experiment with this inspired me to create a similar piece of my watch. I will be creating this on sketch book pro on my laptop to create a digital visual piece.
Secondary Research – Dictionary
Definition of ‘Pop Art’ – Art based on a modern popular culture and the mass media, especially as a critical or ironic comment on traditional fine art values.
Andy Warhol –
Secondary Research – Article https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/articles/andy-warhol-and-his-artistic-influence/
“Andy Warhol and his artistic influence”…
Andy is well known for being one of the most ‘significant and prolific figures of his time.’ His career began when he was eight years old when he was diagnosed with neurological disease which concluded in him being confined to his bed. In this period he began to have drawing lessons to keep him entertained. From a young age Andy developed love for drawing in which he undertook a course of fine art at Carnegie Mellon University.
In later stages of life he went onto become an illustrator for glamour magazine. I find this interesting as it relates to a career which I would love to be in also. In 1991 he revealed the concept of Pop art which included him showcasing work in mass production. His topic mainly focused on every day objects and celebrity names. A successful piece he created was a mass production of his painting of soup cans. To create his work he used several mediums including: photography, silk screening, and print making.
With Andy’s art work, i admire the bright bold colours as they appear very striking. Instantly they catch your eye and you almost feel involved with the work. Sometimes, bright work can be see as overpowering and too much to take in however with Andy’s work I feel almost involved with it. To me, I think this is because of his technique which he uses colour. Although he uses bright colours I have noticed he mainly focuses on tertiary colours such as in the example below.
As you can see, the colours he has explored focus on a variety of colour schemes. When focusing on the colours it looks like Andy has used two contrasting colour schemes – warm and cold – and has used various shades of the same colour. As a whole the piece looks bright and bold due to variety of colours however zooming into a small section you notice they in fact a combination of tints and shades of a brighter colour.
Andy Warhol’s Artwork excites me to explore colour and multiples. With my object for this project being a watch I am going to find an editing site in which I can attempt to create my own design using his work as inspiration. I feel his work is an excellent way to bring excitement into an object which isn’t usually associated with excitement.
Secondary research – Mobile Photoshop app
Thinking along the lines of Andy Warhol, this inspired me to want to edit some of my photographs of my watch. I simply typed “photo editor” into my mobile phone and an endless list of apps appeared, this one caught my eye being named “photoshop express.” Once downloading this app I experimented with the wide variety of affects which brought character to my photographs – it completely transformed my images. This app is an easy accessible quick way to enhance my pictures in a subtle or over exaggerated manor.
Primary Research – Experiences
Whilst at work I participated in the two minutes silence to pay my respect to those who have lost their lives in war. This inspired me to create a war related piece of work – related to graphic design. After considering ways to do this I thought about using a drawing of my watch with the time pointing to 11:11, to progress this I thought of including the number 11 in the page. To create something more visually pleasing to look at, I thought of printing off a picture of poppy’s on a piece of acetate to add more interest to my work.
Primary research – discussions / secondary research – power point
I had a discussion with my tutor, who gave me an idea of ways to present my artwork – in relation to graphic design. she then showed me a power point she had made for a previous graphic design class which involved creating a logo and adding it to a mock up photo, by using Photoshop which I found really interesting. With not having much knowledge with graphic design this worried me with not having port folio artwork to present at interviews. However the ‘mock up’ technique on Photoshop allowed me to do both. I can create art work in any style which works best for me and furthermore place this on a mock up on Photoshop. This is a technique which I will definitely be using as I feel it is a successful interesting way to present my work.
Secondary research – Jim Bray
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/bridge-to-nowhere-jim-bray.html
When researching existing artwork in relation to watches I came across this piece in particular called ‘bridge to nowhere- By Jim Bray. The main reason this caught my eye at first was because of the cogs he has included, at this stage I am thinking of artwork which includes the deconstruction of my watch. My watch itself unfortunately isn’t made up of as many pieces as I had hoped which is why I want to look at more interesting pieces which I could use.
In response to Jim Bray I wan’t to create a mixed media piece which is made up of collage, paint, masking tape and fine liner which is the qualities which I like in this piece. I like how the collage looks quite messy even though you can see how the artist has considered the positioning at the same time. As I am interested in colour I will be following a brighter colour scheme including reds, yellows and oranges as I feel this would enhance the collage even more. I do feel Jim Brays collage looks slightly dull which I would like to have an opposite mood on my own mixed media piece. I feel the black writing which has included in his artwork adds character – graphic design is all about communicating with the audience which is why I wan’t to use a similar style of writing in my own art work, potentially using stamps.
This piece was a huge inspiration for my work and I am pleased I came across Jim Brays work. My response was much brighter and more concentrated on the deconstruction of my watch however Jim bray has made me more confident with collages and has taught me that the collage doesn’t have to be all over the page, it can have spaces where collage isn’t included at all.
My response…
Secondary Research – Pinterest
artist – unknown
When thinking about creating a final piece I set my idea on creating an advertisement poster of my watch. To gain inspiration of how I want to interpret text into my poster I began researching on pinterest where I came across these posters. The main feature which I liked about these posters was how the text engages with the object. The bold writing overlaid over the main object/purpose of the poster looks really effective. Graphic design advertisements are made up of a selection of visuals alongside text. It is important that I consider what it is i’m trying to get across to an audience and how exactly I am going to do it. This means that some text will be more important than others which is what this artist has thought about. As seen in these advertisements, the most important wording is bold and instantly the writing which you automatically read first – this has to be the most powerful text. Alongside this, the smaller details which aren’t as interesting are placed at the side in smaller writing which the audience will then go on to read, if you succeed with gaining their attention at the start. For my final piece I feel creating an A1 advertisement poster of my watch would help develop my knowledge and skills of graphic design. I will be creating a response to these posters mainly by using a similar style to how they have involved text/messages.
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