#specalistpractice

In these experiments, my primary goal was to establish a system where three languages could coexist harmoniously through the use of colour, layout, and size.

Initially, I employed rough gradients to explore how text would interact with background elements. While aesthetically pleasing to me, I now recognise that I may have misdirected my focus. I prioritised my aesthetic judgment and language understanding over a thorough analysis of my target audience.

I like the sound of joybringer and the idea of helping society with mental health. However, I am struggling to imagine creating something different for this subject, especially a project that doesnt exist already. Well-being is a very well spoken subject area nowadays and I feel as though my personal experiences wouldn't outweigh the stories and help that professionals can provide.

(my comments are under "anonymous" or bottom ones)

I selected designs that caught my eye and commented on them to practice my reflection skills, not only on my projects but also on the projects of others. I believe it's crucial to continue learning and to explore the work created by other creatives to stay up to date with current practices and gain different perspectives on similar subjects.

Illustration: I was told that it wasn't necessary to use a textual explanation in my illustration as it is quite self-explanatory. I agree with this comment and believe that without it it would be more intricate and open to discussion.

Colour: My group said that my idea was well communicated and they picked it up from the first sight.

Photography: one of my group members mentioned that it isn't clear that I'm showing the mankind by placing a male hand. I was also told that from far it doesn't look like tree bark.

Animation: I agree with the feedback I received about my animation. I think I could've pushed it further and developed more pages for the flip book to make all transitions smooth and clear.

Type: I'm quite satisfied with the way it turned out. Although, I agree that detecting wing shapes might be challenging. But I think this should be left to a discussion, as wings were not a part of the words I was blending. In my opinion, the chosen shapes can be seen as pathways of earwigs, where the chaotic lines depict uncontrolled movements of insects.

For this part of experimentation I initially created an investigation board to visually communicate my words. It seemed to work effectively, but I didn't like the literal application of earwig imagery.

In order to be more conceptual and metaphorical, I decided to consider the natural resources that earwigs rely on and attempt to represent their destruction in my photo. Hence why I took a piece of bark and set it on fire to highlight the idea of destruction of the planet through reckless actions. The outcome was achieved through the process of applying the principles of metaphor and visual storytelling.

Morgan Echols (LO1)

https://www.morganecholsart.com/prints

When experimenting with colour and the words assigned to me, I straight up thought of Morgan Echols, I TikTok artist that I have been a big fan of. She specialises in communicating her messages through colour and shape, creating beautiful artworks that demonstrate precision and professionalism.

I decided to look at examples of postmodernist designs, as blending unrelated concepts and breaking rules is in the core of this movement. The exact definition of postmodernism by Oxford Languages is "a late 20-century style and concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism, which represents a departure from modernism and is characterised by the self-conscious use of earlier styles and conventions, mixing of different artistic styles and media, and a general distrust of theories." Some of the most known Postmodern designers are Paula Scher, April Greiman, Frank Gehry and Andy Warhol.

Characteristics of Postmodernism (taken from 99designs):

Pluralism: Postmodernism rejects one object truth or way of approaching reality

Anti-formalism: Postmodernism rejects formal art instruction and theory

Nontraditional and mixed media: Collage, video, commercial plastics and interpretative dance all have a place in postmodern art

Deconstruction: Postmodernism breaks down the traditional concepts for how art creates meaning

Self-reference: Postmodernist art often calls attention to its own artifice, usually as a way of questioning the nature of “art”

Irony: Postmodernism mocks artistic conventions by incorporating kitsch and “bad” taste for humor

Brief history:

Postmodernism came from modernism that took place in the early 19th century when modern machinery started developing. Modernists wanted to be clear and simple, showing a new view on the world while postmodernists (from about 1970) aimed to contradict those ideas and escalate the complexity of art (V&A).

Like this lamp designed by an Italian designer Martine Bedin in 1981, that blends contrasting shapes, colours, textures and concepts into one piece. It is a lamp but also a vehicle or maybe a dinosaur-looking object. It serves both practical and aesthetic role.

Another example is this installation, One And Three Chairs, by a conceptual designer, Joseph Kosuth, that challenged the idea of the physical object and made the viewer question their depth of thought and imagination. This piece doesn't just blend two concepts, it goes beyond - it merges the physical and the verbal, bridging the gap between reality and imagination.