To start with, I need to determine which of my 2 main ideas I am going to use therefore I wanted to do a little bit of research into both so that I could make my choice from that. Braille
Done in cells which compromises of 6 spaces thats filled with a dot or left empty
The different combinations allow for not just the alphabet but for punctuation marks and glyths
Dots are usually raised off a page so that the letter is easily deciphered by the embossed dots
The fact that the user can't see means that there is no emphasis on the aesthetic therefore it is usually plain and white- the system is all that is important in its communication
Invented by John Locke, an English Philosopher in order to encourage the enjoyable experience of reading to children
"dice and playthings, with letters on them to teach children the alphabet by playing"
Make Children aware of Gravity, Spatial Awareness of objects and Relationships between objects
Aesthetic design is simple with basic colours to be inticing yet limited decoration in order to not take away from the functional purpose of the objects
Affordable and simple in order to be accessible to all children in order to aid development
- Joey, E. (2012) "Rich History of a Building Block"[Internet] 17th January Available from http://www.free-press-release.com/news-rich-history-of-a-building-block-1326852239.html (Accessed 11th December 2012)
Based on the research that I have done into both possible ideas, I think the idea of a building block would be more successful as I think the audience would understand the concept and the idea alot more than if I produced a cake with Braille on it- It would be more communicative and easier for the larger mass audience to get even thought he concept of a Braille cake is interesting. Plus, I have to consider the hygiene of the cake if it is going to be judged and tasted by other people and by encouraging people to touch and feel the Braille cake for the message, Im not encouraging hygiene for others.
To produce my cake, I will need to determine what font I should use on my Blocks and I will need to get inspiration into how I could present my blocks. Typeface- Times New Roman
So I am able to produce an accurate interpretation of this tool, I decide to use the typeface that would be closest to the actual thing. I used the Identifont 'Find By Appearance' option by comparing the alphabet blocks above and found that the closest typeface used was Times New Roman.
Idenitfying Font
Times New Roman Typeface
This means that the blocks will have quite a traditional style to them but this makes sense in regards to the need for the letters to be legible and readable for a young audience to learn.
Then I wanted to look at other styles of Blocks for inspiration to see how it has been interpretted by other people.
Graphic Design Alphabet Blocks:
"Alphabet Blocks" by Alexander Girard
House Industries "Alexander Girard Blocks" [Internet] Available from http://girard.houseind.com/blocks.html (Accessed 11th December 2012)
Alexander Girard- I have probably referenced these Blocks before on my blog but they are incredibly relevant here. These alphabet blocks by Girard are full of personality and vivacious life due to the bright colours and childish letterform choice. The blocks are handmade which makes them appear a lot more considered and the physicality of the 3-Dimentional object means that they may be used by an audience, allowing for audience interaction so the user can develop a personal bond with the product.
"Worth 1000 Words" by Jason Gomez
Mari (2012) "[ weblog] Small for Big Available from http://smallforbig.com/2012/01/modern-alphabet-blocks-art.html (Accessed 11th December 2012)
Jason Gomez- The mixture of typefaces that is used in this montage of alphabet blocks makes it appear quirky which is reflected in the variation of patterns and the choice of colours that have been chosen, making it appear modern and fresh. The black lines and thick weights allows for the letterforms to be readable from a distance, particularly when they are mounted on a wall.
"Eames Alphabet Blocks" by House Industries
House Industries "Eames Century Modern" [Internet] Available from http://www.houseind.com/press/eames/eames_blocks_07.php (Accessed 12th December 2012)
House Industries- These blocks are different to regular blocks as they include type but also numbers and symbols as part of the set, making them appear unique and making sure each block is individual. This would make it difficult to use but it does provide a fascinating visual experience. Despite this, they are quite disjointed and disconnected yet the colouration and the inclusion of the packaging means that they have a uniformity in that sense.
Despite the fact that these are all interesting interpretations, I think I will stick with the traditional aesthetic as it will allow for a simple presentation of the cake which I think will need to be clean and easy to recognise.
Primary Research:
Before producing the final cake, however, I knew it would be important to test out how successful it would be to make these cakes before producing the final one. I needed to test the flavour and how successful they were at baking in order to determine which cake I would use, therefore I made 3 different types.
3 Cakes I've cooked for testing: Madiera, Victoria Sponge and Chocolate Sponge
It was between 3 options due to the fact that it would need to be a structured and sturdy cake if it was going to be based on blocks; Madiera, Victoria Sponge and Chocolate Sponge.
Madiera Cake
Madiera Cake-Traditional, Subtle Flavour that can be added to, Risen well and not not collapsed, Structured, Shape goes well with the cake design idea
Victoria Sponge
Victoria Sponge-Subtle Flavour, Allows for Additional Ingredients to be included to the taste of the Cake, Nice Colour, Would need more attempts at cooking in order to prevent it from collapsing in the middle, Shape goes well with the cake design.
Chocolate Sponge Cake
Chocolate Sponge- Flavour wouldn't allowed for additional ingredients, Overpowering, Would need more attempts at cooking in order to prewvent from collapsing in the middle, Shape would be unconventional for cake design idea.
From the success of the 3 cakes individually based on my physical testing and note taking, my primary research has determined that I will use the Madiera cake for my actual final cake itself as it was successful at baking while having a nice colour and allowing for additional ingredients due to the fact that the flavour wasnt overpowering.
For this brief, we needed to respond to what we had learnt within our Photoshop Inductions so we need to produce Postcards that have been created on Photoshop. From these, it was necessary to find some inspiration and research into Postcards.
Postcards:
Traditionally, Postcards are used as a way of communication in the form of a letter without having the need to use an envelope. Normally, they would be expected to be used by people who go on holiday so it is a convenient way of communicating with your loved ones without the need to use anything specialist to contact them from a wide-ranging distance. They would usually have a depiction of a photograph of the surrounding scenery to show where they were on the front with a plain back to have room for the user to say what they had done.
Gurney- Read, J. (2012) "The Death of the Postcard?" [Internet] The Telegraph 13th August Available from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/9472654/The-death-of-the-postcard.html (Accessed 12th December 2012)
As illustrated by Josie Gurney-Read in the Telegraph article 'The Death of the Postcard?', sending a postcard on holiday has now become a dying tradition with statistics proving that the postcard has become something of a vintage hobby.
"nearly half of all British holidaymakers (45 percent) have never sent a traditional postcard"
That being said, Postcards are now something that isn't usually used as the digital age has made it easier to contact people in this instance. However, despite this, there have been new ways that postcards have been adopted to find new uses for them:
Some of my Collection of Gig Postcards
It has become a trend for promotional collateral to come in the shape of postcards, an example being with bands producing postcards as leaflets to promote themselves, merchandise or up-coming shows. The small size means for cheaper printing costs and is small enough to be put in the pocket of a music fan to carry away with them. This has also been done by independent shops and fashion labels to promote labels who are desperate to get their name out.
Miscellaneous Designers (2013) "Sunday Secrets"[Weblog] Post Secret 26th January Available from http://www.postsecret.com (Accessed 26th January 2013)
A contemporary use of postcards is the idea of being able to make artistic, amateur postcards and send them to strangers. These usually have some accompanying featured image and piece of text that describes a secret that they want to tell but feel as thought they cant for fear of being scapegoated for it. This takes the traditional elements of a postcard and turns it on its head.
From this, I felt it was necessary to look into some design inspiration to see how other people have approach producing an artistic postcard. I will try to focus on postcards using photography and shapes like I will do in the brief.
Postcards Design Inspiration:
"Time Postcards" (2012) by Ella Laytham
Laytham, E (2012) "Time Postcards" [Weblog] The Behance Network Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Time-Postcards/3380641 (Accessed 12th December 2012)
These postcards take the aspect of using photography which have been manipulated in Photoshop to get a vivid, visual explosion which the viewer can't take their eyes off. This slightly contradicts the natural subject matter depicted within the photographs but the added emphasis placed on the images due to the manipulation gives them added impact. The choice of having a light weigh font with text overlaying is quite a trend thats currently being used but the small font size and thin weight means that it doesn't entirely take away from the strong visual identities of the images.
"Classic Apple Postcards" (2012) by Viet Huynh
Huynh, V. (2012) "Classic Apple Postcards" [Weblog] The Behance Network 4th June Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Classic-Apple-Postcards/4124075 (Accessed 12th December 2012)
These postcards use a mixture of photographic imagery and illustration to get a 70's feel to the postcards. The fact that the colour is kept the same throughout the design with only tonal colours and white stock taking care of any detail adds to the overall appearance of the work. The use of the circle shapes on the front creates a delicate structure that the designs revolve around. The simplicity of the designs gives a clean aesthetic, particularly with the back of the postcards which have a lot of space due to the white and the colour provided separating the space for the address and the message.
"Dwell Postcards" (2011) by Vicky Fong
Fong, V. (2011) "Dwell Postcards" [Weblog] Coroflot 9th September Available from http://www.coroflot.com/vicdesigns/Dwell-Postcards (Accessed 12th December 2012)
These postcards have been produced with the intention of being professional and with a serious tone of voice as they are used for the company 'Dwell' to encourage people to visit new opening stores and store events that are taking place in order to optimise their sales. The use of a photograph that appears that it hasn't been manipulated gives an aura of professionalism and honesty to the clientele whereas the stark white back page with the black type gives the reference to a museum artwork which adds to the quality aspect of the products.
"Postcards I Would Send To Myself" by Nicole Martinez
Martinez, N. "Postcards I Would Send To Myself" [Internet] Available from http://arterdesignist.com/postcards-i-d-send-to-myself (Accessed 12th December 2012)
This eclectic collection of postcards designs highlights the range of manipulation that you can create on Photoshop by adding colour filters and texture to photography in order to get the message across that you desire. The postcards give a stereotypical impression of the design presentation of the capital it revolves around, but it gives the photograph a new lease of life. The typographic elements are clever as they have another photograph imposed within the lettering thereby adding to the layering texture and personality of the places shown.
Wednesday 12th December 2012 "High Culture v Low Culture" Lecture Notes Richard Miles
Definitions of "Avant-Garde"
- French meaning 'The Advancing Guard' or 'VanGuard'
- The 'Elite' who drive us forward and pave the way for the rest to
follow
- Idea of doing quality art/design that is progressive/challanging/innovating
- Also, refers to a group of people being innovative
Term refers to artists who are shocking (Rebellion, Challange, Experimenting, Innovative)
- Marcel Duchamp "Fountain
Leeds College of Art Course Prospectuses- Assumptions based on these qualities:
Innovation
Experimentation
Originality
Creative Genius
Is It Possible to challange conventions in an original way when everyone else is doing the same? Especially when you are being marked and graded on these qualities?
Why is it so important to be all of these qualities?
Post-Modernism suggests that there is no such things as originality anymore.
Before Institutionalisation, Old Art & Design Practise:
- Master & Apprentice- Copy thier work until you were good enough
- Slavishly learning a style and a technique
2 Different Aproaches at the end of the 19th Century/ Early 20th Century to Avant-Garde Art:
Art that is socially committed
Art that seems to only expand/ progress what art is
Myths of Individual Genius:
- Romantic Poets (eg. Chatterton- Ripped up poetry as no-one understood his creative genius)
- Myth of Creatives being Geniuses, Superior and Special who see those who don't
understand as philistines
- Tries to seperate Fine Art from the rest of the creative disaplines
- Placing yourself above everyone else
- Corbae- Revolutionary who depicted the peasentry earning a wage "The Broken Peasantry"
- Reminding people of the poverty that thier affluence has come from
"Art for Arts Sake"
- Whistler (1875) "Nocture in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket"
- Being Aesthetically Avant-Gared (Experimenting Aesthetic Interest)
- Critic Ruskin made a characature mocking this work and was took to Court
" I got paid 20 Guinies to show all the knowldge I've learned in a Lifetime"
- Whistlers comment to the Judge at the trial
Artists and Critics have made a lifestyle for themselves:
PRODUCTION- EXPLANATION OF WORK- REPRODUCTION BY OTHER ARTIST
"The Relation & Combination of Lines & Colours, which when organised give the power to move someone aestehtically"
- Critic Clive Bell on the notion of 'Significant Form'
This is a commonly used reoccuring defensive argument used by artists and critics
- Cezanne (1900) "Mount St.Victoire"
- Jackson Pollock (1950) "Lavander Mist"
- Stopped Conceptual work in Russia as no one understood it- Became Conservative
Major Problem is the Elitism
- So Left-Wing (Social Change) Members have a tendancy to rely on academics to get people to
understand thier work
What is Kitsch?
- Critic Clive Greenwood- 2 sides to art: Upmarket like Pollock and Kitsch (sold to mass market)
- Used the term Kitsch to distinguish betwen High & Low Culture
- Constable (1821) "Haywain" - Original is High End but if reproduced and on your wall then it is
Kitsch (eg. commemmorative plate, mug, print of the artwork)
- Jeff Koons (1988) "Michael Jackson and Bubbles the Monkey" - A Giant Life-sized replica of some
tacky object he found
- Playing with the idea of taste
- Thomas Kikade- Calls himself ' The Painter of Light' (Puts logo and strapline on his artworks)
- Sells to high-end celebrity clientel
- Sells prints and replica merchendise of his paintings on QVC shopping channel
Why try to teach us how to break bounderies and be different when we could learn to make popular style paintings so we become millionaires?
Public v Specialist Taste:
- Jack Betrians- Tate wouldn't give him a show because 'he isn't an artist' even though he is popular
- Tate would allow Carl Andre to exhibit "Equivalent VIII" sculpture even though it
was heavily criticised in the press
- Tracy Emin- Chosen for Turner Prize and was jumped on by other Fine Artists
- K- Foundation (1994) "K-Foundation Award"- Letting the public choose who was the worst artist in
that years Turner Prize
- Rachael Whiteread won both Turner Prize and worst
artist prize!
- Shows distinct difference between specialists and
public choice
- Damien Hirst- Comes up with the idea but doesn't do the work for himself
- Work done production line style by his artists
- Work bought as a status symbol
- Adbusters- Media speaks to people in an understandable way
Wednesday 5th December 2012 "Film Theory: The Autuer- Hitchcock" Sam Broadhead
The Auteur- A Filmmaker whos movies are characterised by thier own style (Thier Personal Film Langauge)
- eg. Stanley Kuberick, Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock
French New Wave- 'Cashier du Cinema'
Autuer:
- French for 'Author' meaning 'Author of Film' -director was celebrated above all other roles
- Seen as an artist who produces original work and holds the creative control
- Starts genres but does not follow them
- 'Autuer Theory' by Sarris (1962)
Technical Competance
Director's Distinguishable Signature Film Style
Interior Meaning of the Film
Case Study- Alfred Hitchcock
- First films were British & silent
- Innovation in film making- "Master of Suspense" putting himself in the audience's reception
- Influenced American Slashers and Physchological Thrillers 1920's
-Starts in the Film Industry with an artist background
- Works for F W Marnau
- 1st Film- "The Lodger"
- "Champagne" (1928)- Use of the Subjective Shot (Audience sharing the same gaze)
- "Psycho" Shower Scene- Montage & Cutting- gives a sense of drama and pace
"What Is Drama But Life With The Dull Bit Cut Out"
What Makes Him an Autuer?
1. Technical Competance
- Expressionist Lighting
- Visual storytelling in Silent Era
- Subjective Camera (Audience sees what the Characters see)
- Dolly Zoom (Undermines Normal Shots)
- Master of Montage & Cutting to produce tension regardless of the production code
2. Personal Style
- Expressionism- Form evokes dark emotion - Not concerned with realism or naturalism
- Cameo appearances of the Director- Usually as a background character
- Narrative is often visual (aware of the camera) rather than dialogue
- Continuous use of certain actors
- Obsessive use of casting Blond Actresses- Hair up: Oppression whereas Hair Down: Liberated
"Blonds make the best victims. They're like vrigin snow that shows up the bloody footprints"
- Suspence- Audeince can see more than the characters
"There's no terror in the bang of a gun, only the anticipation of it"
3. Interior Meaning
- Introduced to physchoanalysis by David O Sieznick
-Collaborated with Salvador Dahi
- "The Birds" - Motif to show fear and doom
Re-Occuring Themes in Hitchcock Films
Voyerism- Watching/Vision/Sight repeated constantly, eg. In Profile
Trauma- The effect on the individual and thier behaviour because of it
Madness- Mental Insanity
Expressionistic use of Colour as a Motif
Mistaken Identity
Espionage
Murder and Madness
Sly Wit and Macabre Humour
Sexual themes
"Hitchcockian" Suspense
Relationship between Order & Chaos
Anxiety and Free Will
Guilt
Death Drive
Relationship between the Genders
Relationship between the spectators and the image
Projection of desire and guilt
Nature of Cinema
Criticisms of The Autuer
Cannon of Films made by 'Elites'
Disguises the work of others
Offers a universal view of quality
Capitalist device by selling a film by virtue of the Director
May have to get rid of this myth in order to move on
Give the topic of Transport and choosing to research the environment, I started my research by looking into the issue on a broad scale to be able to get a general overview of the issue at hand. From this, I want to be able to find an area to focus on.
Secondary Research:
Effect Transport has on the Environment
Firstly, I looked into the general information into how transport effects the environment. I wanted to be able to find an overview into the subject so I would be able to know what I was on about. I found that The Geography of Transport Systems by Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue (Available from http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/index.htmAccessed 26th November 2012) contents was very detailled without being too difficult to understand. It highlighted the basic areas of Environmental damage and the main damage that is caused.
"Transportation and the Carbon Cycle"
Rodrigue, J.P. (2012) "Transportation and the Carbon Cycle"[Internet] New York: Hofstra University Available from http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch8en/conc8en/carbcycle.html (Accessed 26th November 2012)
This cycle diagram illustrates the basic science behind the Carbon Cycle and highlights how the more damage we do to it, the knock on effect it will have on all aspects of our life. It is an important place to start researching as it is the need for the wider audience to understand this to see how our behaviour causes this and how we can change.
Eco- Friendly Transport
Due to the fact that my topic is on the topic of Transport, it is important that I stick to this topic and research into the types of transport that is already in use to try and be more positive to the environment.
In a world that is reliant on petrol and diesel for cars in order to be able to get everywhere, it is important that we find clean alternatives yet some people are against using them as Electric cars are seen as second rate or degenerative. What I like about this infographic is that it put both types of car next to each other to provide a clear comparison based on facts and also, highlights the benefits of Electric cars trying to dispel this social myth surrounding it.
This is a fascinating idea as I had never heard of it before but it is a clever and sustainable concept that could provide us with a much cleaner solution to using gas and petrol. I think this is relevant as it looks at the bigger picture and not just local or individual methods of transportation and instead, looks at it on a global scale and how it will effect the way we use aviation in an environmentally friendly way.
This infographic really puts into perspective the amount of energy that we waste every year purely from the amount of fuel and consumption we do and I think it would make people aware as it highlights the amount of money that is wasted due to this. It is quite persuasive in its argument for using a Hybrid car and encouraging in the need to be Eco-friendly with its tone of voice and green imagery.
Are we improving?
Over the years, the Environmental effects of Transport have become more and more publicized and into the public consciousness. From that, have we took any of these warnings on board and tried to improve the effect that we are having on the environment?
Fall in the number of registered new cars
Fall in the C02 emissions of a new car
No Reduction in overall UK C02 Emissions
Increase in the number of cars on the road due to reliability of new cars lasting
Clear increase in the amount of Hybrid/ Electric cars
Overall amount of Conventional (Petrol/Diesel) Vehicles
Overall Amount of Alternative (Hybrids/ Electric) Vehicles
Decrease in Amount of Waste Energy and Waste for Landfills from Cars
"Are UK Cars Going Green? Explore the Data"
Clarke, D. (2012) "Are UK Cars Going Green? Explore the Data" [Internet] The Guardian Environmental Blog 3rd July Available from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/jul/03/uk-cars-going-green (Accessed 27th November 2012)
This article was informative in visually interpreting the necessary data in a formal and professional manner, appealing to the middle-class educated audience that usually views The Guardian. It is encouraging that the data highlights how we have begun to make changes to the way we produce and use cars so that we lower our Carbon Footprint.
"A Global Movement"
"The Most Successful Electric Car Cities" [Internet] Available from http://www.loveinfographics.com/categories/transport-infographics/the-most-successful-electric-car-cities-infographic (Accessed 27th November 2012)
This infographic is relevant as it shows the amount of electric cars that occupy the different cities around the world and may encourage people to get them in order to be better and clear than other cities. I think it shows how relevant the need to be Eco-friendly has become compared to in the past yet I think it also highlights how we have improved in our attitudes towards Pollution on a worldwide scale as it is a topic that effects everybody.
This diagram helps compare the fuel economy of different airlines showing how there is competition between the airlines and how much they all use. This allows carbon footprint concious consumers to determine who they fly with by the amount of fuel they consume. I like the way the information has been displayed like measurements of the aeroplanes ascending the sky, making it visual in a relevant yet interesting manner.
"The Greener Way to Get There"
"Green Travel Tips Infographic" [Internet] Available from http://www.loveinfographics.com/categories/environment-infographics/green-travel-tips-infographic-infographic (Accessed 27th November 2012)
This infographic is useful as it analyses and compares the different methods of transport to find the most energy efficient ways of travelling. This allows the information to be relevant to the audience and appeal to a number of users as it can be applied to the everyday, highlighted by the fact that there is different variants of travel destinations and lengths as well. I think this shows the social consciousness that has developed over the years as we are more aware of the situation we are in with the need to be more Eco-friendly, however, I think it also highlights how people will choose comfort or ease rather than thinking about the environment first.
This poster series uses the incorporation of transport within the imagery made to promote the effect that it has on the environment, giving the message that the effect that the transport is having on the environment is causing them to take it in- the environment is becoming filthy and corrupted by the transports residue. The slogans used (which translates as 'Recycling for public transport') promote ecological and environmental action that needs to be taken to improve the quality of these factors, shaming the users in considering thier carbon footprint, taking responsibility for the damage they are doing.
"My Travel: Take the Greener Way to UWS" (2012) by Maria Angelica Flores
Flores, M.A. (2012) "My Travel: Take the Greener Way to UHS" [weblog] 16th June Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/My-travel-take-the-GREEN-way-to-UWS/4246275 (Accessed 27th November 2012)
This illustration uses infographics in a subtle and unconventional manner as it makes the infographic appear like it is part of a large drawing rather than as a large piece of information- it is only when you look at it a bit closer do you notice. The clear display of information highlights how the designer has mixed in primary and secondary research within the presentation. The colouration is relevant to the topic and keeps the user focused on the message at hand. Even the typography used gives the impression of woodland and hippy ideology.
Primary Research:
After looking into certain aspects of the debate between transport effecting the environment, I wanted to see for myself how it effects the area I live in and how it effects me on a daily basis.
Constant Traffic Congestion
The roads are constantly congested or piled up with cars, lorries and buses behind traffic lights, especially in the city centers, and they are in constant use, especially on a morning and evening, causing tail backs of traffic and putting more C02 into the air due to this.
Train Station Landscape Photos
It is sometimes argued that a version of damage to the environment is the appearance to the landscape that train lines and motorways cause. As you can see by these photos of the train station that it is quite expansive as to how much of the landscape they take up and that the train lines are not very becoming of the surrounding areas, creating an eyesore.
Box Campaigning for Environment surrounding the Loop Road
What I found that was very interesting to me was a sort of metallic box that was next to a busy road that promoted the damage that was being caused, not just to the environment but, to our health and our quality of life. It provided a strong opinion that I could see for myself put into practice. I don't think it is entirely successful in its campaign as this hasn't stopped the amount of drivers that constantly go through the loop road yet I think it puts a valid point across. Secondary Research:
What Direction Will I Go In?
I think I want to focus my research onto the future of transport and how it will effect the environment or whether it is too late as it will be something that effects me in my lifetime.
"The Future of Public Transport" Singh, T. (2009) "What is the Future of Public Transport?" [Internet] E U Infrastructure 28th SeptemberAvailable from http://www.euinfrastructure.com/news/future-of-public-transport/ (Accessed 29th November 2012)
This informative spider diagram gives a bite-sized overview into the possible methods of transport we may use in the future in order to be more Eco-friendly and combat the carbon footprint that we have already managed to produce. These methods of transport focus on being light weight and being streamlined in aesthetic whilst maximizing the amount of people that it can carry in order to improve congestion. They all come with thier own positives and negatives but it shows that there is a step into the right direction with these inventions. However, would they be practical in real life?
This is a designers view into the way that the future will have vehicles that communicate with each other in order to improve communication into congestion and travel efficiency. By letting vehicles communicate and have the ability to change routes and exchange information, it will prevent congestion and pile ups between parked and mobile cars. This will also aid those vehicles transporting large amounts of goods as they can find the most efficient way of traveling logistically. It also illustrates the appearance of cars in the future with the sleek futuristic body and the use of batteries rather than engines.
"Aircraft Hanger"
"Airpod"
"Shweeb Monorail"
"Straddle Bus" McKeegan, N. (2012) "Radical Railways: Top 10 Transportation Systems of the Future" [Internet] 18th June Available from http://www.gizmag.com/future-transport/22959/ (Accessed 30th November 2012)
These images highlight inventions that could be used in the future to improve the transportation of the railway and aviation systems in order to improve the environment as well as service to customers. They all focus on the aspects of lessening congestion, lowering the amount of pollution being caused and, hopefully, lowering the costs of travelling by making these improvements. These ideas are inventive and imaginative while having the conceptual consideration for them to be put into practice.
"Smarter Skies" by Airbus
Airbus (n.d) "Smarter Skies" [Internet] Available from http://www.airbus.com/innovation/future-by-airbus/ (Accessed 29th November 2012)
"The Future of Flight in 2050" by Airbus
Airbus (n.d) "Future by Airbus" [Internet] Available from http://www.airbus.com/innovation/future-by-airbus/ (Accessed 29th November 2012)
These infographic looks more at air travel and what will become of it, specifically in the year 2050. This allows an insight into what will be the aviation habits of customers and what the airline companies will be looking to doing in order to improve thier effect on the environment. Its quite refreshing to see the initiative that they are taking in order to improve thier service and this is displayed in a clear format, in a considered manner.
Group Focused Question Research:
After producing all this research, as a group, we were then given the topic of trying to get people to use thier vehicles more responsibly. I was chosen to look at road safety posters and advertising campaigns.
I started by looking at the Th!nk Campaigns website as it is the most well known road safety campaigns group and they usually make quite hard hitting and iconic adverts.
"Th!nk Drink Drive Advertisement Campaign" (2010) by Th!nk
Despite the fact that this is a video advertisement rather than a poster, I think this is very effective as it targets the person side of someone who is effected by drink driving rather than just the facts. The emotive approach to this topic makes it more hard-hitting, working better than an advert which is just produced for shock value. It makes the audience put themselves in his shoes and makes them think about what they have to loose and how it could effect them which is why it is so successful.
The campaign we have come up with as a group doesn't really have a specified area of targeting responsibilities of drivers.
With that in mind, I found this poster which targets all 4 main specific areas of irresponsibility that causes accidents and deaths via driving. It takes the visual images of the causes and replaces them as letterforms whilst making the statement still legible. It has a clear and concise message that is dealt with in a straight-forward and direct tone of voice.
Due to the fact that our group are trying to prevent accidents before they happen, I thought it would be a good idea to look at some preventative road safety adverts.
"LOOK! Road Safety Campaign"(2012) by New York Department of Transportation
Traffic Technology Today (2012) "NYCDOT Launches LOOK! Safety Campaign" [Internet] 24th September Available from http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=43018 (Accessed 4th December 2012)
Even though this is directed at pedestrians, it makes a successful identity as it is direct and to-the-point in its message communication and the intention behind the campaign. The photography used is relevant to the campaign advertisement as it is in keeping with the overall aesthetic and only aids to emphasize the necessity behind the intention of the poster. This is successful because, even without the text, the imagery on the poster would still make it obvious as to the message behind it.
Most road safety advertisements I have found seem to focus on photography or being quite realistic therefore I wanted to find some that had more of a Graphic Design approach to producing poster campaigns as it would make it more relevant to our group work.
"Safe Drive Stay Alive" (2002) by Safe Drive Stay Alive Scotland
Safe Drive Stay Alive Scotland (2007) "What is Safe Drive?"
[Internet] Available from http://www.safedrivestayalive.org/home.php (Accessed 4th December 2012)
This image and type effort uses strong imagery and a full block typeface to get the emphatic message across, acting as a headline as well as a piece of safety advice. It keeps it minimal at 3 colour choices and merges aspects of the imagery together, namely the blood splatter which doubles up as a speed gauge making the message behind the poster even more effective. The word play is useful at helping to create a memorable advert as it allows the message to be effective in its communication.
A lot of road safety campaigns focus on aspects of death or quite violent imagery therefore I wanted to find a campaign that would be more focused on a clever use of imagery instead.
"Let's Look Out For Each Other Advertising Campaign" (2012) by Th!nk
Th!nk (2012) "Cycling: THINK! : Directgov" [Internet] DirectGov Available from http://think.direct.gov.uk/cycling.html (Accessed 4th December 2012)
The togetherness and wholesomeness of the campaign is what makes this successful as the imagery reflects the nature and sweetness of the message and intention behind it. I like the typographic element to the main poster as it keeps it fresh and modern in its appearance, making a delightful change from the usual violent and gaudy appearance. The imagery is minimalistic yet sets the right tone as it is obvious in its communication. The fact that the car and the bicycle wheels are together gives a sense of unity and the fact that it could be used as a reminder makes it relevant to our group work.
