BSBDES202A

Part 1.



Part 2. Examine the contribution of two individual poster designers

Alphonse Mucha was born in 1860 on the 24th July in Ivančice, Czech Republic, Died in 1939 on the 14th July. He was a relatively unknown artist living in Paris, until he achieved immediate fame in December 1894, when he was commissioned for a poster for the play "Gismonda" promoting the actress Sarah Bernhardt, the poster was a sensation and Mucha basically became a success overnight.

The primary purpose for Mucha's posters was commercial (to advertise), he was known as a decorative artist whose innovative work featured female figures surrounded by flowers and elaborate bordering techniques. None of Mucha's works are exactly the same however they all carry a theme and his style or "Le Style Mucha" as some may call it (ketterer kunst) in relevance to Art Nouveau and in correlation with his ornamentation and bordering made his work easily recognizable.

I believe Mucha contributed to the development of the poster industry through his strong influence in the Art Nouveau movement and his work. He was most famous for his posters which functioned successfully in terms of design in marketing as they were considered works of art by themselves. This made people stop and take a closer look, because of the detail, aesthetics and richness of the design.

I really admire Mucha's work, it was made by hand and I appreciate it very much. I was unconsciously drawn to it because of the obvious reasons being the style I enjoy looking at his works and the harmony of it all and the amount of detail present. The layouts and colours are also very harmonious and just the overall general flow and design of his works. However then I became aware to why I really liked it and I and became more interested. This was because Mucha's work had greatly influenced some modern comic-book cover designs, his work usually portrayed a false paradise where the viewer can look but not actively participate in the scene. Very much like that depicted in comic books Mucha’s work created a new world separated from regular life, used as an escape for viewers otherwise unable to experience the luxuries in real life. Also a good marketing technique in order to sell not only a product but a life-style.

In my opinion I think that It is possible incorporate Mucha's style, harmony and detail into my own design practice in order to create designs which are not only pieces of art but also functional. I think that in order to achieve this first I must intensely research Mucha's approach to his works and develop my own, along with drawing and painting skills and through Mucha's influence it will become evident in my work.
 


Slavia. 1896. Colour lithograph. 



Zodiac. 1896. Colour lithograph.


Leonetto Cappiello was born in 1875 on the 9th April in Livorno, Italy, Died in 1942 on the 2nd February. Cappiello was an Italian caricature and poster designer who lived in Paris, he became famous in the early 20th century, when the Art Nouveau poster style was becoming heavily imitated and repeated.

The primary purpose of Cappiello's work was advertising, in his career Cappiello made over 530 lithographic posters which made him the most prestigious poster artist at that time.
Cappiello is often called "The father of modern advertising" because of his innovation in poster design and advertising poster techniques (All Famous Artists). Cappiello was the first poster artist to use bold figures on monochrome backgrounds, achieving an impressive aesthetic effect which would surprise and delight the viewer this was also was a contrast to the earlier posters designs, thus creating his own style and making him a recognized master and contributor to the development to the poster industry.

His graphic technique from his caricature background proved highly effective by using wide colour planes and highly exaggerated colours and situations, he shocked and surprised his viewer. Cappiello created an eye-catching character and made a bold, loud statement-and everything else didn't matter, this not only brought attention to the product but also helped build the brand. By using his technique certain products began to become associated with certain images. Cappiello focused on instant visual impact instead of relying on complex, stylized and painterly designs used by earlier poster artists. I believe he appreciated that a simple visual metaphor for a product could create a much more powerful advertising message than all the complexity and detail from Art Nouveau posters.

I admire Cappiello's work because it was made by hand and I appreciate it, in particular his use of colours that grab the viewers attention because of the way he treats his work, I admire his style because he did something different and he was rewarded for doing that. Cappiello took the saying less is more and he revolutionized the art of poster design, through his work and his style he influenced a whole new generation of designers.
I believe that if I use Cappiello's technique and the idea of less is more I think I can incorporate these features in my own design practice, and my lifestyle. I think that by researching his techniques I can find or create my own style which I will benefit from doing something different, and in turn his influence will show through my work.



Bouillon Kub, by Leonetto Cappiello



Bitter Campari, by Leonetto Cappiello, 1921


Part 3.

Three current journals relevant to poster design

Graphis: Graphis, The International Journal of Visual Communication, was first published in 1944 by Dr. Walter Amstutz and Walter Herdeg in Zurich, Switzerland. Graphis presented the work of fine artists and illustrators, as well as highlighting the formative years of graphic design as we know it today. Advertising and photography were also featured, and Walter selectively chose what he felt to be the best talent of the time.

Graphis is pleased to now announce the development of its new website, complete with Archives of award-winning work from the Annuals, digital versions of the past Magazines, and the introduction of the new Journal, which will present a significant increase of talent covered over the original magazine.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP / $120 per Year
This Membership gives you Full Access to the Graphis website, including:

1 $10 discount on all Graphis Annuals and 35% discount on all other Graphis Books.
2 Access to the Graphis Logo Database, containing almost 2,000 worldwide logos from our past Logo Books.
Also included are 2,800 logos from World Trademarks Volumes 1 and 2, which sold out in the Graphis Store at $250 per set. All logos can be sorted by letterform, category or symbol, for a total of almost 5,000 images.
3 The opportunity to upload six additional Portfolio pieces, for a total of 12 images.
4 The expanding Archive of winning work from our past competition Books in Design, Advertising and Photography,
currently containing over 8,500 images, with complete credits.
5 Access to the digital collection of Graphis Magazine, from 1944 - 2005, currently containing over 1,600 pages and,
when complete, will total more than 50,000 pages.

(http://www.graphis.com/history/)

IDN: IdN (International designers' Network) is an international publication for creative people on a mission to amplify and unify the design community. It is devoted to bringing designers from around the globe together to communicate with, learn from and inspire one another. It has truly become what the initials of its title proclaim it to be — an international designers' network.

IdN 1-Year Subscription
USD 150
Yearly subscription of IdN Magazine consists of 6 regular issues and 1 IdNPRO Publication of your choice.
(http://idnworld.com/info/contact.php)

Monster Children: Monster Children is an expansive beast, based on a culture of integrity and style, not money or fame. Where true originals are heavily praised and cash-in latecomers are openly scorned. Its the clothes, the music, the art, the attitude, the humour and the way of life those pioneers created and millions adopted. Because where would our generation be without people like Spike Jonze, Terry Richardson, Gonz, Jason Lee or the Beastie Boys? What are we ultimately looking for within the magazines pages is passion, truth, the stripping away of bullshit and genuine uniqueness and individual qualities that lie within us all. We're romantic yet cynical; smart yet unsophisticated; stubborn yet super excitable. We've got a lust for life and a lazy ass. We're Monster Children - This is how we roll.

Subscription Within Australia
Four issues of Monster Children magazine, delivered to your door before the news agents get it. No bells and whistles, just a bloody great mag.
AUD$40 for 4 issues.

(http://www.monsterchildren.com/index/)

Three Associations

AGDA (Australian Graphic Design Association)

The Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) is the national organisation for professional graphic designers.
It was founded in 1988 to facilitate the advancement of the graphic design profession in Australia.
Their goal is to establish fair and productive working relationships between graphic designers and their clients.
They do this by providing designers with the tools and information to take control of their professional lives.
They also work on increasing awareness of the value and importance of graphic design in business, education and culture.

AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts)

the AIGA, is the professional association for design, it stimulates thinking about design, demonstrates the value of design and empowers the success of designers at each stage of their careers. Their mission is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force. The AIGA was Founded in 1914, it remains the oldest and largest professional membership organization for design, and is a non-profit, educational institution.

DIA (Design Institute Australia)

The DIA is the design profession’s responsibilities to Australian society, it fosters a healthy professional environment and delivers a range of tangible services and rewards to its members.

Current trend on poster design Electronic delivery of files (New technologies).

The development of digital and Internet technologies in recent years have brought about many new trends that have impacted on poster design and changed the printing industry today. In particular the new technologies such as the electronic delivery of files has changed current workplace practices and production technology in the way companies and designers do business from the starting process of the design to the final printing stage. This along with new-age media has greatly impacted on the poster and the design of it, because of the growing competition by non-print and online media.

With many new technologies being used by consumers now-days the industry must keep up in order to survive in our digital world. As a designer in the poster industry it would be or has become essential to upgrade your skills in order to effectively utilise these new technologies. However those who have not made changes have struggled, from the increase in of new technology in the workplace and industry. Many have updated their skills by returning to school, changed their workflow to digital and production approaches to meet the changing demands. Despite the growing impact of online-based services, the poster industry remains strong and permanent as it takes on new strategies to achieve success in the present and the future.

In order to keep updated within the industry a designer must not only be aware of the changing technologies but also upgrade their skills this can be achieved by returning to school and completing courses such as Cert. III and IV courses in design or print provide the basics in current industry needs and studying these courses you can update not only your skills but your knowledge and In my opinion I believe that it will not only make you a better designer but also better workplace practices. Also those who are computer illiterate can study a basic computer course in order to understand and use the new technologies. I think any of these course will help maintain current industry practices:
- Cert.III in Design Fundamentals
- Cert.IV in Graphic design foundation
- Diplomia in Graphic design and communication
- Cert.IV in Printing and Graphic arts (General), (Pre-press), (Instant print), (Printing)

I believe that tutorials and subscribing to magazines along with becoming a member of at least one professional industry association is very helpful and keeps you updated not only with the technology but also provides technical advice and support with skills in order to keep you current within the industry.