Saturday 31 May 2014

Module 4 - Chapter 1 - Media Research

I have assembled a large collection of media items for inspiration. Recycled envelopes and parcel paper to use as a base for design in chapter 2, and making paper in chapter 4. Some of the packaging materials can be used to weave into grids for chapter 3.

40101
Items of stationery, books and cards that have interesting form and structure. There are some very exciting books with intricate construction.

40102

40103
Looking through my collection of books I have found many ispirational images of  art books, such as:

Isobel Hall

Jan Messant

Beryl Taylor
Initial thoughts of themes for recycling items of paperwork and development of finished media item. This will be added to as I work through the chapters in this module, hopefully helping me to come to a decision for my construction at the end of the module!

40104
There is a huge selection of alphabet fonts and texts available online. Some are bold & heavy, giving dark tonal qualities when used in text. Others are light and delicate, some are ornate, elegant, italic & sketchy and some are just designed for fun, adapted so that characters form specific shapes.

40105
'Ransom note' alphabet created from letters cut from newspapers and magazines.
One thing I noticed when collecting letters from magazines is that very often publishers seem to stick to just 2 or 3 typefaces throughout the magazine. One for large titles, one for the main body text and perhaps a third for a creative splash or to draw attention to something. Therefore I had to cut into a wide selection of subject matter to collect varied fonts!

40106
A selection of paperwork displaying foreign and ancient texts, including Chinese, Polish, Urdu, Arabic and Old English.
The Old English and Arabic texts have a painterly quality. Perhaps this is just because they are hand written. The coloured and age stained backgrounds seem to add to their beauty of appearance. The Chinese printed text is harsh and angular, particularly against the white newspaper background, whereas the handwritten Chinese text on the rust coloured background  has beautifully graphic, decorative and pictorial qualities.

40107
Illuminated text from The Book of Kells created by monks around 810 AD.

40108
A selection of fonts used films, advertising, and corporate identity. A lot of thought is given to typography when establishing brand identity as its appearance can express personality. Serif fonts give the impression of tradition and professionalism, wheras sans serif fonts appear to be crisp and modern. Decorative and formal script is considered sophisticated and feminine, and casual, handwriting fonts give the suggestion of being friendly and approachable.

40109

Man has always had the desire to communicate cultural or self expression. Through pictographic script primitive man has been able to mark his teritory, or express his thoughts and wishes. The word GRAFFITI comes from the Italian word GRAFFIATO which means scratched. In acient times graffiti were carved onto walls with sharp objects.

40110
Modern day graffiti is also used as a form of self expression, as an indication of gang related activities or to convey underlying social and political messages.

40111
Another way text can be used for self expression is in the form of tattoos. This can be done simply as a fashion statement, for self identity, to honor loved ones or to indicate gang membership.

40112

I love the imaginative and painterly way that text has been used in the following images. In some, the words have almost been lost in rhythmic and graceful layers of text and all you can see is the beauty and form of the script.

40113



Sunday 11 May 2014

Module 3 - Chapter 11 - Composite Sheet with Completed Accessory, FINAL STAGE!

3.11.21
A fit of rage, or a moment of genius!

With my husband out playing golf, I was home alone all day, consequently, today my task was to complete my hat. So after putting my third load of washing in the machine, having already vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, washed up & put away(!) I sat with my floppy brim in front of me and began threading wire through the holes (henceforth known as trellis), twisting and spiralling as I went along.

The spirals were angular and ugly, and the wire still didn’t hold the brim, so I took it out, ironed my brim flat, found some round objects to spiral the wire around, and tried again. And again! Each time I tried, my brim became crumpled as the original cord was made with wire running through it. For the third time, I pulled out the wire. I am usually quite a calm person, who thinks things through rationally and works things out by avoidance and procrastination, but I screwed up the brim in a tantrum.

I skulked into the kitchen for a cup of tea, and hung out some more washing.

When I walked back into my workroom and looked at my hat, I was amazed by the wonderful scrunched ripples and folds in the ‘trellis’ and thought it would be an excellent idea to make a feature of this….. so I stitched and corded some more wire
3.11.22

Thank you to all the lovely people who donated wire to my ‘Great Matter’. It has been an epic journey. Everyone has been so generous in their support, advice and enthusiastic guidance, Especially Claire Muir, who suggested strengthening the brim with wire, and thanks also to Mary-Anne Morrison who suggested the Philip Treacy option, and whose magnificent spiralled hats and fascinators gave me the idea for the ’ tendrils’ spiralling in and out of the ‘trellis’.

Only my dad’s cleaning lady laughed at my efforts. You wait till you want to borrow it, Rachael! That’s all I can say!

3.11.23

3.11.24

3.11.25

3.11.26

COMPOSITE SHEET

3.11.27