Yves Klein: IKB

Klein Blue is a vibrant ultramarine blue created by Yves Klein in1957. Yves Klein created close to two-hundred monochrome paintings focused on Klein Blue a colour which he trademarked in 1957. He believed in creating work that challenged the idea of representation within paintings in order to create a sense of freedom within his pieces. Klein believed that his colour had immense value as he believed it to be precious almost like gold as it had a quality close to pure space creating its value. In his one man exhibition in Malian in 1957 he described Klein Blue as a blue in its own right that is separate from functional justification. In order to create his series IKB which stands for International Klein Blue he used a fixative that when dried created the appearance of depth within Klein's’ work due to they way it reacted with the paint used as it caused the paint to almost float approve the piece giving it its appearance of depth. This also further added to the colours appearance of almost creating space due to the depth created within the paintings adding to the apparent monetary value of the colour according to Klein. 

Pantone

Pantone is a company largely known for creating the Pantone Colour Matching Systems which is a system by which specific colours can be identified and is largely used within the printing industry. The colours within the system are identified through their specific number making it easier for use within industry especially printing as you can specify which colour you would like through the use o fits number. Pantone is also known for choosing a colour of the year this years being Serenity (#92A8D1). However the colour is chosen the year previous after presentations and debates featuring various colours. 

Interventions in relation to Frutiger

In relation to my interventions I’ve adapted Adrians Frutiger’s belief that arrows and triangles implies direction in a more abstract way through the use of tape in straight lines to create a pathway for people to follow. I decided to create a more abstract wayfinding system that didn't evolve  pictograms or symbols as I wanted to create something a bit different but universally understandable. However I could adapt my intervention to actually include arrows and include pictograms to represent the male and female pathways more clearly instead of solely using different coloured tape. 

In order to further my knowledge I gathered images of way finding systems around Leeds. The majority of these systems as very basic and follow many of Frutiger’s ideas sue to the use of arrows and pictograms within the system. The use of pictograms allows the systems to be universally understood such as an image of a man and woman and an arrow (see figure 1 to 3) to indicate towards toilets. These images of contained within squares which according to Frutiger creates impression of a bounded place which implies safety and security allowing the public to trust the symbols allowing fro a successful sign system. The sign systems I’ve found are successful in the sense that they are clear, simple and authoritative so are easily trusted however they are not very innovative and are similar to most other sign systems.

In relation to my intervention in order to improve its successes we could take it out into a more public setting and see how successfully the pathway works at leading people towards a new destination. In regard to the use of tape to create an obstacle in the doorway we could experiment with using the tape in an entrance way in a less authoritative way so it was clear that you could still enter but you till had to navigate the tape as we found certain people believed the toilets where out of order due to the placement of the tape across the door. 

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Final Video

Study Task 1 video

In order to respond to study task 1 we decided as a group to create a system that would cause people to change direction and follow a different path. With this in mind we decided to use coloured tape to lead students to the toilets by crossing over the pathway we created in order to make them change direction as well as crossing the male and female path so they lead to different doors. We decided to do this in order to test how much people pay attention to the diffraction their travelling in when they are following a system even if the system isn't taking them in the direction they would like to go in. We also decided to use tape to tape off the toilet doors to see how people would react and navigate the tape. However it may have been inappropriate to interfere with the toilet doors therefor we could off applied the same idea to the doors within the studio or around university in general in order to test the same idea.

Conventional Sign Systems

Pictograms: 

Images or symbols used to warn, guide or protect that have a universal meaning so they can be easily understood. However this isn’t always the case as culture can impair understanding meaning pictograms need to be independent from culture to be universally understood. 

Semiotics:

The study of sign and meaning showing that sign systems are dependant on context, knowledge, society, culture as they can be easily misunderstood due to cultural difference around the world. 

Syntactics

In order for a sign system to be understood it must be formal, unambiguous and succinct. Pragmatics:  

The way in which context contributes to the meaning of the sign which can be seen in three different ways. 

Indicative, up to the receiver to decided what they do with the information given.

Imperative, receiver has to do what the symbols/information says

Suggestive, represents an appeal not to do something in order to persuade receiver.  

The Square: 

Symbolic object of a bounded place, dwelling place creating image of protection. Square on its end implies intention which is why it’s commonly used for traffic signs.  

Triangle: 

Placing a triangle on its apex it obtains direction giving nature as long as in a horizontal position therefor becoming a symbol for direction. However when a triangle is standing upright creates an impression of stability and permanence which is why it’s commonly used within traffic signs.  

Circle:

Addresses senses rather than the mind as feelings are addressed more strongly depending on weather the characters are placed inside or outside the circle.

Arrow:

Is an expression of movement and direction of form and shows a clear expression of movement in a similar way to the triangle.

Joest Albers

Josef Albers was a german artist who studied and taught at the Bauhaus throughout the 1920s, however it wasn't until later in his career when Albers started to explore the use of colour within his work. For the last 25 years of his life, Albers’s work focused on the work that would later become Homage to the Square. Albers started this body of work with ‘Treble Clefs’ a series of paintings where he initially began to explore the use of colour and tones through a standardised composition. He created hundreds of variations of three to four squares inside each other with varying colours as he considers different pallets which spoke of different climates and also favoured a structured approach to composition. The choice of colours he used as we'll as the order in which they where used where often aimed at creating an interaction. Throughout the series of paintings making up Homage to the Square Albers explored the interaction of colour in multiple ways through the use of the square. Throughout his work Albers was heavily influenced by the Bauhaus movement and Constructivism and represented the transition from these styles into abstract expressionism. Consequently Albers became a heavy influences on hard edge abstract expressionists in the US during the 1950s and 1960s due to his uniques use of patterns and exploration of colour after he moved to America and become a member of faculty at Yale University in 1950 which is where he first started Homage to the Square. 

Editing

In order to create our response for study task 1 I've edited the footage we collected as a group into a video including both of our experimentations using various techniques on Adobe Premier Pro (see figures 1-3). In order to represent how people interacted with our experimentations over a period of time I've increased the speed of the clips to gain a wider range of responses within our video. I feel this style effectively represents our experimentations effectively as it allows the audience to see how numerous people interact with our ideas in different ways allowing for the contrast between those who engage with the experimentations and those who didn't. 

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Study Task 1: Developments

In order to respond to study task one we as a group decided to create an pathway using coloured tape that would lead from one of the studios within university to the toilets to see of people would follow the colour and path that would lead them to the toilet (see figure 1-3) in a similar style to Jim Lambie. We decided to on this idea as we thought the use of bright coloured tape would draw peoples attention to the pathway which would crossover causing them to go in a different direction to normal whilst making the stop and think about where they where going. In addition to this idea we also decided to experiment with creating an obstruction within the doorway of the toilet by putting tape across the doors in order to see how people would react and if they would adapt and work around the use of tape. We plan to record these ideas in order to create our 2 minute video response to this study task. 

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Conceptual Artist Research

Jim Lambie:

Lambie is a contemporary visual artist known for his colourful line instillations. Lambie was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2005 for his instillation called Mental Oyster. In recent years Lambie has produced more colourful instillation which I find particularly interesting as I feel some of the aspects within his instillations could be adapted into my experimentations to help me develop a sign system. Consequently I’ve applied the use of colourful tape to my work through my first study task in order to see how people react to being lead a certain way through the use of coloured/patterned tape on the floor.

Sol LeWitt:

LeWitt created a new aesthetic in the 1950/60’s as he went against the conventional abstract expressionism and focused more on concept art as he’s regarded as one of the first artist who began to investigate into the idea and concept behind art and continued to challenge the thinking of what art could be to treat new ideas and pieces. I’m particularly interested in LeWitt’s work using colour and black and white lines as I plan to incorporate line work and colour into my experimentations in order to create a wayfinding system. 

Daniel Buren:

French conceptual artist who created a style that rejected all formal exploration and gives importance to the position of the his work which heavily features straight lines. He painted his stripes in various inappropriate settings on a range of different supports. Throughout his career Buren has created complex artwork connecting art and structure together in various different situations and settings. I personally fine his work very interesting due to the use of colour and line to cause contrast within a space/setting. 

Lawrence Weiner:

Weiner was one of the central figures in the formation of conceptual art in 1960’s however unlike artists such as Sol LeWitt Weiners work has a more typographic focus he famously wrote his statement of intent which most of his work follows that; 1. The artist may construct the piece; 2. The piece may be fabricated; 3.The piece need not be built, each being equal to the intent with the artist. I find Weiner’s work very interesting sue to the incorporation of typography and the use of line as the use of line relates to my work for study task one. However I fine the use of text thought the pieces interesting and may experiment in a similar style when producing my own wayfinding system. 

Study Task 1

Study Task 1:

Record how members of the public move through and interact with public space. You must record your experiences through video, drawing, photography and writing.

In order to gain direct experience with the effects supergraphics and wayfinding have on our passage through public space, you are asked:

Create a diversion

Create a new connection

Make someone pause or stop

Group Ideas:

In order to respond to study task one my group have discussed different ideas about how to cause confusion through a sigh system. We have based our ideas upon leading people in the wrong direction in order to challenge the belief that sign systems must be easily understood and simple to follow. As a group we have been influenced by the work of Jim Lambie and his use of tape within his work as we plan to create a pathway using tape from some of the studios within LCA leading to the toilets. However we plan to cross over the pathways to create confusion which will be aided by using pink tape leading to the male toilets and blue tape to the female toilets. This will be particularly interesting as we will be able to observe how people react to the use of colour and see if our system effectively creates confusion and has an impact on the public.

Studio Brief 1 OUGD405

Studio Brief 1:

Design a personal sign system based on your own interpretation of the environment around you. 

Explore a range of concepts in your research and development. Consider the usage, functionality and display (the interplay between the objective and subjective) when resolving your chosen strategy.

Mandatory Requirements:

• A functional navigational wayfinding system for your selected environment, informed by thorough research and development.
• You should explore a range of potential responses to the brief.
• The identification and selection of an appropriate, consistent typeface. Consideration of appropriate type styles and sizes for specific uses.
• The development of appropriate pictograms for directions and identification of facilities, etc relevant to your ideas.
• The identification and selection of a limited and appropriate colour swatch with associated PMS, CMYK and RGB values.

Deliverables:

• A quantity of visual investigation/research
• Developmental work in sketchbooks/worksheets
• Vector typographic, pictogram and signage print(s) of your navigational system
• Produced at least one sign/supergraphic/etc. at actual size and document it within the appropriate context in Leeds
• Mock-ups (in Photoshop/Premiere/etc.) of the entire system in context
• Minimum of 6 design boards, presenting and discussing the following: 

• Brief Interpretation/Research
• Initial design ideas
• Design development
• Final design/Production
• Evaluation

Jo Blaker

Visiting professional Jo Blaker was very insightful as she showed me the different ways to use sketchbooks within my work and how I can adapt this to my personal practise, however I feel her practise isn’t necessary applicable to graphic design and they way I personally work. Despite this her talk was particularly helpful as I currently don’t work well in a sketchbook however I plan to experiment with some of her techniques uses in order to develop my ideas more effectively. Throughout her talk Jo discussed where she gets her ideas from and how she develops her ideas. This was particularly interesting as she gets her inspiration from nature and different materials and textures however this is a personal interpretation of the world meaning inspiration can come from anywhere as long as its personal to you. Therefore making it easier to adapt some of her approaches to my work and what inspires me. Whilst looking through her sketchbooks I found it very interesting as they where all very different collections of drawings, sketches and experimentations showing me you can be very fluid and unstructured with your approach to using a sketchbook and this usually produces more interesting ideas and developments.

Evaluation

Upon reflection of module 1 I’ve developed a range of skills and techniques to better improve my design process. In regard to studio brief one I found that my chosen logotype worked successfully in context with my skincare brand due to the references to science via the periodic table and use of colour. However after receiving feedback if I had more time I could revisit this project and further develop some other of my final logos as it was said my chosen logo was hard to reference due to  how I’d split up my company name Archchemic. However I feel my chosen logo was the most successful in representing the values and message of my skincare company. In addition if I where to further develop my final logo I could experiment with using different materials such as foil within the business cards and vinyl to create branding for shop windows. 

In regard to studio brief 2 I have found that completing more research is most helpful in developing my design ideas due to the technical nature of this brief as it would off allowed me to edit my chosen typeface Univers in a more technical way.  I could also further develop my typeface so that all the letterforms in particular the I and L to have distinguishing characteristics as some don't accurately represent defiance. However I feel my final typeface works successfully due to the use of high crossbars and a high cap height which allows importance to be granted to the typeface allowing for successful use within protests as it will allow awareness to be drawn to a specific issue especially with the addition of a bold variation of my typeface. However if I where to develop my typeface further I would spend more time developing my type specimen due to the complex nature of printing a book and the technical issues with layout that I encounter during the printing process. However the difficulties I encounter during the production of my type specimen lead to a more successful design as I had originally planed to print white ink onto red card for the cover of my type specimen which wasn't possible. Consequently this lead to the use of acetate within my work which I feel has created a more successful and professional type specimen. I would conduct more in-depth research in order to develop certain letterforms within my typeface which don't reflect defiance as successfully as others.

Overall I am pleased with the outcomes I’ve produced for this module as I feel they both successfully represent their individual messages, however in future I plan to do more research and initial sketches in order to better inform and develop my ideas before making them digitally.  

Final Crit Feedback:

Overall I think my typeface successfully represents defiance and fits well within a protest setting as it allows a powerful message to be conveyed due to the characteristics of the typeface. I feel my design works successfully due to the use of high crossbars within certain letterforms and the use of a high cap height which give importance and raise awareness of the typeface. However after receiving feedback it was found that I could develop my typeface further as defiance wasn't successful represented when certain letterforms where put together as not all letterforms have significant characteristics in the same style as ‘A’ ‘B’ ‘R’ such as the ‘I’ and ‘L’. Therefor in future I plan to do more in depth research into typeface design so I can more successfully adapt letterforms to fit the message I'm trying to portray. Overall it was found that my typeface and specimen was successful as they effectively represented defiance and the legible nature of my typeface would allow it to work on large scale protest signs. 

Type Specimen

Overall I’m pleased with the design of my specimen as I feel the use of acetate for the front and back cover allows the typeface to be resilient, linking to the strong, powerful and determine nature of my typeface. The use of red highlights the acetate allowing the specimen to stand out as well as represents power in colour theory. Within the typeface I've tried to keep the design simple in order to let the typeface stand out and speak for itself which personally I think works successfully. However in future I will conduct moe research into printing specimens/books as this was particularly difficult and resulted in some pages not lining up accurately. Overall I feel my specimen is successful as it effectively showcases my typeface and represents the characteristics of my typeface through the use of acetate. 

Type Specimen Devlopment

In order to further develop my typeface I’ve decided to create a type specimen which will reflect the characteristics of my typeface defiance. I plan to keep my specimen structured so it’s easy to read and navigate whilst not conforming to a conventional grid in some areas such as potentially the front cover or within the specimen itself.  I’ve also experimented with the use of red within my typeface in particular the front and back cover as within colour theory red represents power which is one of the characteristics I want my typeface to represent. However upon researching into digital printing I discovered I didn't have the resources to print my white design onto red card. Consequently I plan to experiment further with layout in order to create a professional and effective type specimen potentially experimenting with acetate as this would allow me to still incorporate red into the specimen. 

Typeface Developments

After receiving feedback I’ve decided to research into protest signs to better inform my designs as my typeface could be used during protests to draw attention to a certain issue. I plan to develop my ideas inline with common characteristics found within protests posters as well as those featured within communist posters and constructivist type such as straight terminals and high crossbars within certain letterforms as I feel my initial ideas don't effectively represent defiance and are not supported by significant research and therefore don’t accurately portray the powerful and strong personality of the typeface i’m trying to create. 

In order to respond further to my feedback  I’ve experimented by raising the crossbars within certain letterforms as well as by lengthening the cap height of the typeface which I feel has worked successfully as it allows for increased awareness to be raised to the typeface. I feel these experimentations have worked well and I plan to further develop them in order to create a more successful and legible typeface that can be used on a large scale. I've also taken influence from typography featured on Russian communist posters due to their interesting and defiant characteristics which can be seen in the 'N' of my typeface which I have reflected and manipulated the crossbar in order to avoid conforming to the conventional rules of typography. 

Shepard Fairy

In order to better inform my design decisions I have chosen to look at Shepard Fairey’s work inspired by communist posters as I feel the style of typography features in his work and that featured in communist posters relates well to my research into protest posters. This is because  typography found within this style of work also contains letterforms featuring high cross bars in a similar style to some protest banners and posters. This will aid me to creating a defiant typeface as the use of high crossbars within certain letterforms adds importance to the typeface and draws the audiences attention to the issue at hand. This is highlighted by the use of straight terminals within the letterforms which adds a strong appearance to the typeface. In addition the use of a high cap and x-height further adds to the importance of the letterforms and compliments the use of high crossbars well.

I plan to use some of these characteristics such as lengthening the cap height and raising the crossbar within certain letterforms in my own designs in order to create a more defiant typeface that can be used during protests to make a strong impact on an audience. This will allow me to respond to feedback by creating a typeface that represents defiance more accurately. 

Protest Poster Research

After receiving feedback on my initial designs I have decided to conduct further research into protests and signs used within them as my typeface will be used during protests to allow people to get their message across in a legible and powerful way. Consequently I have found that a number of successful signs and posters feature letterforms with high crossbars and x-heights which allows them to be clearly legible whilst making an impact on the audiences due to the tall nature of the type which creates an impression of importance, focusing the audiences attention to the issue at hand. Furthermore use of medium-heavy weighting of the typefaces allows the signs/posters to stand out and attract attention due to their bold and defiant nature. I plan to incorporate these features into my designs in order to further my experimentations.

Grid Systems by Josef Muller-Brockmann

According to Brockmann a grid system is an ordering system that expresses a certain mental attitude that a designers work should have a clear object, function and aesthetic quality in line with mathematical thinking. This is because the use of a grid system should imply systemised clarity, concentration on the essential parts of the design, objectivity instead of subjectivity, creative and technical processes, the integration of colour, form and materials and a positive attitude. Grid systems are important as the grid creates a constant set of dimensions within a space allowing for designers to work precisely,  the rule is the few the differenced in size the quite the impression created by the design. The main reason for the use of a grid is so that simple and complex problems can be solved in a uniform style and by using a grid a designer can decided where to place their work with objectivity and functionality.

According to Brockmann a suitable grid in visual makes it easier to:

• construct an argument objectively 
• construct text and illustrative material systematically
• organise text and illustrations in compact arrangement with its own rhythm
• put together visual material so its structured with a high degree of tension. 

Crit Feedback

Upon receiving feedback I have decided that my typeface will be used in/for protests and have found that my most successful designs are those which are more simple and less distorted (see figures 1-5) as those which are too complex don't effectively represent defiance as they reflect distortions more. In addition my experimentations using outline where also found to be less successful than the more simple and bold experimentations as they appeared weak and didn't much of an impact on the audience. Consequently I have decided to experiment with simpler designs have a bolder and stronger look but are also easily legible as my typeface could be used in protests. As a result of this I plan to look at different protests to gain an idea of the characteristics I want my typeface to reflect in order to create more effective designs as my typeface could be used to represent protests. In order to further my experimentation I plan to develop the designs featured in figure 1 by putting them into a grid that follows a certain set of rules an altering those rules to fit my designs as well as developing my designs further as they don't successfully represent the word defiant. After receiving feedback I plan to research different grids and rules used within typography by looking as designers such a Josef Muller-Brockmann as well as researching different protests and signage used within protest in order to better inform my design process.  I also plan to experiment with scale by blowing my design up and working on a large scale as would be the case if my typeface was to be used during protests.

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Figure 1

  

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Figure 5