Graphic design in the 1950’s-1960’s largely focused on uniformity. The emerging concept was to create a universal language of graphic design that could be used and understood unanimously. World War II was over and consumption was on the rise. Global capitalism was growing. Because of this, companies were looking to identify themselves in a way that communicated quickly and efficiently. Thus, the use of logotypes and international style essentially became standard; however, not everyone wanted to conform. I believe Bradbury Thompson played a major role in leading us out of the use of predominantly international style. So, what did this international style consist of? Simplicity, cleanliness, and readability were principal. Some of the main facets used in achieving this were the use of a grid to assist with page layout, sans-serif typefaces, and geometric graphics. An example of the grid used under designs can be seen in Massimo Vignelli’s National Park System. (Figure 1) An example of serif typefaces and geometric designs can be seen in Chermayoff & Geismar’s Chase Manhattan design. (Figure 2) At this point, decorative illustrations were a thing of the past. This neutral style helped veil political, cultural, economic, and ethnic differences. It caught on quickly and eventually prevailed in the field of graphic design. Though international style was flourishing, not all designers accepted it. Take Bradbury Thompson, for example. Thompson was an award-winning graphic designer from Kansas. He designed over 60 issues of the magazine Westvaco Inspirations. One of Thompson’s best-known accomplishments was the development of a font called Alphabet 26. This font contained mixed upper- and lower-case letters, which meant only 26 let... ... middle of paper ... ...2013). 4 "Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center." Washburn University. http://www.washburn.edu/alumni-friends/alumni-association/bradbury-thompson-center/ (accessed November 24, 2013). 5 Drucker, Johanna, and Emily McVarish. "Corporate Identities and Inernational Style." In Graphic Design History: A Critical Guide. 2. Reprint, Boston: Pearson, 2013. 247-257. 6 Hays, Todd. "Bradbury Thompson: Graphic Design as Artform." Viewpoint, Nov. - Dec. 1990. http://toddpr.com/articles/BradburyThompson.pdf (accessed November 21, 2013). 7 Kennedy, Thea. "Obsessions and Influences: Bradbury Thompson." Design Quixotic. http://designquixotic.com/obsessions-and-influences-bradbury-thompson-3/ (accessed November 24, 2013). 8 Pierron, Joseph. "Bradbury Thompson." Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society. http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/bradbury-thompson/18146 (accessed November 24, 2013).
‘Florated madness, liniar hysteria, strange decoratve disease, stylistic free-for-all’, such were the terms its contemporaries used to describe Art Nouveau, the first international design style. Art Nouveau was the rebellion against the entire Victorian sensibility, steeped as it was in the past. The exponents of the style hoped to revolutionize every aspect of design in order to set a standard that would be compatible with the new age. Art Nouveau was a direct descendant of the Arts and Crafts movement and influenced by celtic ornament as well as Japanese woodcut prints, all this resulted in an international style based on decoration.
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The emergence of the Abstract Expressionist in America had a profound effect on the rest of the art world because it relocated the center of the art world from Paris to New York. Many factors caused America to be the new center of Creativity. Political and economical causes such as the Great Depression and world war II, as well as former artistic genres such as Surrealism, Social Realism, and primitive American art influenced the Abstract Expressionist new style.
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Graphic designer and typographer Stefan Sagmeister has always had a unique way of viewing the world, therefore has created designs that are both inventive and controversial. He is an Austrian designer, who works in New York but draws his design inspiration while traveling all over the world. While a sense of humor consistently appears in his designs as a frequent motif, Sagmeister is nonetheless very serious about his work. He has created projects in the most diverse and extreme of ways as a form of expression. This report will analyse three of Stefan’s most influential designs, including the motives and messages behind each piece.
‘Lost in translation’ happens more frequently during the rate of globalization. The misreading of design languages is not just an issue among layperson, designers also been affected during the international cooperation. Naturally, there are gaps existing between different cultures (Jones, 2011). For example, the masterpieces of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa considered as the portraits of ideological conflicts and exhibits individual’s sacrifices for feudalism. But on their Western re-making versions, the heroism and anarchism were been emphasized instead. Just like the differences between Samurai and cowboy, design languages and signals are preforming in different way from east to west.
From these case studies, it becomes evident that Art Nouveau was perhaps the biggest influence on art and design in the late 19th century. Although the movement was later replaced by 20th century Modernist styles, it is nonetheless recognised today as an important stepping stone between the fixed traditional art style of the time and the later Modernist approach to art, opening up new pathways and endless possibilities for artists, architects and designers alike.
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Many do not consider where images they see daily come from. A person can see thousands of different designs in their daily lives; these designs vary on where they are placed. A design on a shirt, an image on a billboard, or even the cover of a magazine all share something in common with one another. These items all had once been on the computer screen or on a piece of paper, designed by an artist known as a graphic designer. Graphic design is a steadily growing occupation in this day as the media has a need for original and creative designs on things like packaging or the covers of magazines. This occupation has grown over the years but still shares the basic components it once started with. Despite these tremendous amounts of growth,
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Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner's Art Through the Ages. Boston: Clark Baxter, 2009. Print. The.