What is Graphic Design

Graphic Design was once known as "commercial art", which meant art created for business, advertising or commercial use. Although the name has changed the principal is still the same. There was a time when Commercial Artists didn't use computers, but now computers are a principle tool in the graphic design industry. The software graphic designers use these day is pretty standardised and include programs like Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Flash, Quark Express, Lightroom, etc. As for the word "graphic", it's a term that has come to be an umbrella term for "visual art". In other words, graphic design is different from Sound Design, Interior Design, architectual design or product design as the principles of Graphic Design unlike the other examples is that it is the combined use of text and imagery to convey a message, advertise or communicate somthing to a target audience as effectively as possible.

Today, graphic designers work on a variety of things including, brochures, logos, billboards, video games, film and television graphics, book illustrations, web design, product packaging...the list goes on. Even things you wouldn't expect. Go into a wellknown retail store and look . All the photos, signs, and even color scheme of the store itself was created by a team of graphic designers. We all are very familiar with the golden arches of Mac Donalds, the Just Do It slogan and Tick of Nike to name two, but there are millions of other Symbols, Brands and Slogans that we can recognise!! This widspread recocognition is the proof of successful and effective graphic design.

                                                                                      

The principles of design are, unity, Balance, Contrast, Economy, Direction, Emphasis, Proportion and Rythem.
The use of Typography is just as important as the imagery, infact a message can be communicated through the careful use of font design alone.

Graphics Design can be viewed in a multitude of different ways, from illustration, different printing methods, typography, computer generated imagery, photography, photomontage and collage to name a few...... !  These methods are used by Graphic Designers to create Brands, Logos, Symbols and Slogans to create campaigns, advertisments or simply to make a visual statement, which has been commissioned by a client and is intended to target a specific consumer group. 

Graphic Design- some definitions

What is Graphic Design?? - Some definitions

"Since prehistoric times, people have searched for ways to give visual form to ideas and concepts, to store knowledge in graphic form, and to bring order and clarity to information. Over the course of history, these needs have been filled by various people including scribes, printers, and artists. It was not until 1922, when the outstanding book designer William Addison Dwiggins coined the term ‘graphic design’ to describe his activities as an individual who brought structural order and visual form to printed communications, that an emerging profession received an appropriate name."
MEGGS. Philip, B.A - History of Graphic Design

1) "Graphic design is a popular art and a practical art, an applied art and an ancient art. Simply put, it is the art of visualizing ideas."
Jessica Helfand - AIGA What is graphic design?#

2) "The practice or profession of designing print or electronic forms of visual information, as for an advertisement, publication, or website."
Dictionary.com

3) "The process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication. Today's graphic designers often use desktop publishing software and techniques to achieve their goals."
About.com

4) Graphic design is the most universal of all the arts. It is all around us, explaining, decorating, identifying; imposing meaning on the world... Without graphic design's process and ingredients - structure and organisation, word and image, differentiation - we would have to receive all our information by the spoken word. We would enter another Dark Ages, a thousand years of ignorance, prejudice, superstition and very short lifespans.
Quentin Newark - What Is Graphic Design?

The Work of Others

Ashling literally added another dimention to her graphic design by actually making ceramic pears and photographing them for her campaign image. I think combining model making into a graphic design scheme could be a good way to make it a more approchable subject then it is a the moment, especially when considering the younger age groups.

This is also a good example of a work space.

Andrews atmospheric photography accompanied by witty captions makes for a memorable campaign, if a little obscure.

Above are a few illustrations from one of Suzannes prelim sheets about the threat of invasive species. The sheet displays a few ideas and development. There is also an emerging continuity with the colours used.

Anne designed a bag, badge and rubber intended to generate awareness about the preservation of woodland that includes diciduous Yew Trees. Her slogans were simple and catchy, appealling to adults and children alike and her imagery is very inviting even bordering on christmassy! Also her use of hand made paper was very appropriate considering the theme and again added to the appeal of her design giving it a tactile quality.

Stacy's campaign to promote Limerick Bike Week is finished to a very professional standard and it is very interesting to view how her ideas and designs evolved from initial concept to various ideas and

finally her finished design. Her work oppitimised in my view, how graphic design is executed and finished in the proffessional world but fairly unattainable in the classroom environment.

Gillian used a van template, which ment she had to take into consideration and work within the constrates this created. I think the idea of using a template like this wether it be for some kind of vehicle or a format for something more simple like a postcard could make a graphics project in school more relevent to the pupils.

Davids Mc Grath's design demonstrates an effective use of stenciling, layering the images one on top of the other giving the image depth. I think his choice of colours is also relevent and eyecatching.

            

David was another designer who made effective use of stencils. His image comprises of recognisable symbols and simplified cutouts creating a very graphic and understandable image through the use of his negative and positive single colour scheme. Although i did wonder did he forget to put in a door?

 

Micheals poster communicated a very clear and direct message minimising the chance of

mis- interpretation by the viewer. Also his choice and rendering of typography was bold and appropriate.

My Examination Question and finished Graphic Design

Graphic Design Blanche Starling

Leaving cert Examination question
Higher Level

Client: The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) or Bord Failte (Tourism)

Target Audience: Irish adults

Problem: REPS (the Rural Environment Protection Scheme), first introduced in Ireland in 1994, is a scheme designed to financially reward farmers who carry out their farming activity’s in an environmentally conscious manner and to bring about environmental improvements on existing farms. Some of the objectives of the scheme include:

-The protection of water courses (ponds, streams and rivers)
-To promote responsible farming and land management
-Protect wildlife and retain their habitats
-Protect endangered species of flora and fauna
-To keep field boundaries and hedge rows and maintenance of existing stone walls
-Protect features of historical or archaeological interest
-Promote rare breeds of native farm animals

Following this years government cut backs the annual REPS funding that was available to farmers has been ceased, this has detrimental implications for wildlife and Irish tourism as many farmers will be unable to continue practising farming methods that are ecologically and environmentally friendly without the aid of the REPS funding.

With careful use of imagery and text create a logo and design for one of the following;

-Billboard poster
-Stamp
-DVD cover
-Advert for the side of a milk carton
-Leaflet
-Advert to go on the side of a bus

To be used as part of a campaign to bring back REPS funding commissioned by either the IWT or Bord Failte

Requirements:

-1 Preparatory sheet (research); gathered imagery and information related to topic (max A2) (10 marks)




-1 preliminary sheet (ideas, sketches, tracings, typography that might be used in finish piece- idea development) (max A2) (15 marks)
Both preparatory and preliminary sheet can be brought into the practical examination




-Finished designs (proposal, not necessarily highly finished piece to be completed during 3hour practical examination)




Time:

-Examination Question to be handed out to students 4 weeks prior to practical examination.
-Practical examination is 3 hours

Rules:

- The use of photocopiers, light boxes, scanners, computer generated imagery created by the student with photoshop, illustrator, indesign (once verified and signed by art teacher or principle as students own work).
-Also the use of stencils, variety of papers photographic images;- personal or borrowed (once authorised by art teacher or principle) and tracing paper is permitted.

-Authorised school computers may be used and verified memory sticks holding a variety of fonts may be used- But this is under strict supervision and both computers and memory stick content checked and verified by the principle.

Internet access is prohibited during the exam.

All work must fit into examination folders provided


My Own Graphic Design Project



My design as seen in the images above was created by drawing wildlife found in ireland on to tracing paper and then layering them one on top of the other in the hope it would give the impression of the animals disappearing into the background before your eyes, with the viewer having to look quite hard to see some of them. I intended the effect to be subtle to reflect the problem posed in my brief of how our wildlife could disappear if not protected. The deer jumping across the page is symbolic of life and how that could be lost or how the creatures in question would be forced to leave their current habitats. I used a font that is often used in forestry or agricultural signage, but i think, had i had more time i would have reconsidered it as it seems to clash with the imagery. I also think i would redonsider the colour of the font as that to seems uncomplimentary, although it was hard to find colours and fonts that were subtle enough to go with the illustrations but yet stand out enough to be seen!! Perhapes it was the imagery i should have reconsidered altogether!! I experimented with colour and black and white images which certainly effected the atmosphere of the design. 


 Tip....
The two best methods of rendering or adding typography to an image without the help of more sophisticated computer applications appeares to be-
1) Photocopy chosen font onto ascetate- this allows you to play around with composition and colour easily.
2) A process that principly is the same as using carbon paper, but cheaper, more flexible and allows for more possibilitys......
Have printed page of font ready-
On the back of the page, pick desired colour of oil pastle and colour in the back of the font.
Then laydown the page with the font printed, pastle side down onto your image wherever you intend your type to be and as if tracing render the font. This should leave an oil pastle print where you aplyed pressure. (propelled pencil is best for this method)

ETCHING

I made a series of four drypoint etchings based on an Aesop's Fable about a wolf and dog. I used a thick card board which had a slightly shiny filmed surface rather then a postcard. Initially this seemed like a good idea as the biro made a deep dent in the surface, it proved less successful once put through the printing press. The first print was very good, but the pressure of the press flattened the actual plate loosing detail ever time i printed. I also found the surface began to brake down, creating textured or tonal areas where i didnt want them.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

Printing press

Plate- Copper for lithograph or aquatint, Photograph paper or post cards, card, even a CD for Drypoint

Oil based printing ink

Dabber made of old rag and masking tape

Alot of news paper

Card board scraper- to take off excess ink before buffing

Tools to make marks on plate-pin tool, biro, knife ect

PRINTING BLOCK THEMES

Edel Bartley's prints all displayed a strong japenese influence.


Orla Clogher's work was based on African imagery, culture and issues

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Andrew Bredin used crows frequently, perhapes because of their symbolic or metephorical connotations?

SCREEN PRINTING

MATERIALS:

*Screen

*Squeedgy

*Acrylic medium

*Acrylic paint

*Wide masking tape

*Paper for masking the edges of the screen

*Paper stencil

*Cutting board

*Sharp paper knife or blade.

MY SCREEN PRINT:

My design for the screen print has no real concept or deep thinking behind it. I simply wanted to create a bold graphic image using just black. The cows i think worked out very well even though the stencil was very finiky to cut and i lost a little piece of the stencil as it ripped off when somebody coughed!! Thats definantly a consideration if intending on doing this with school kids make sure they keep the stencil simple.

PROCESS:

*Begin by cutting the stencil remembering that it needs ideally to remain in one piece.

*The stencil must also be cut out of a sheet big enough to cover the screen.

*Mask the screen around the edge and sides with masking tape and cartridge paper.

*Mix the acrylic and medium 2:1

*Lay down the sheet you want to print.

*Tape the stencil on to the flush side of the screen and face it down onto the paper and position it.

*Generously spread ink from one side to the other on the short side of the screen.

*It is best to go from the end of the stencil that is taped first, to prevent air getting trapped which causes bleeding.

*With the squedgy now tilted at a slight angle towards you as you lean across the screen, pull the ink from one long end of the screen across the stencil to the other, in as consistant a way applying slight pressure in one continuous movement.

*Then lift the screen from one end to reveal the print.

MONOPRINT

MATERIALS:

• Pane of glass or other flat shiny surface eg acetate x2
• Waterbased printing ink
• Rollers- one to be kept clean and one for each colour you intend to use
• Ample amounts of news paper
• Pencil and any object you might want to use for mark making including fingers
• Tracing paper or carbon

MY MONOPRINTS

I decided because of the illustrative effect that this method creates, i would look into making a short series of pictures, illustrating an aesop's fable.

PROCESS:

Ink up the the glass plate, rolling vigorously until the ink beomes tacky and smooth.

Now ink up the second plate taking care to only create a thin even layer , then take off excess by laying a piece of news paper over the plate and rolling. The excess ink will come off with the paper.

Now lay down the paper you want to print onto. If tracing an image, lay that over the back of the paper that will be printed on and start drawing.

A pencil creates sharper more defined line drawings, if you want to create tone or shadow use ur finger to blend as you would it drawing normally.

Then carefully lift off the paper to reveal the image.

Colours can be added by inking up the plate with the different colours or by painting or collaging on to the paper before you print on to it.

OTHER STUDENTS PRINTS

Here are examples of other students work made during the print workshop, the processes include:

• 
  
  Screen Printing
  
  
  

This is quite a complicated and technical method of printing if thinking of doing it in a classroom environment but all the same, if done with care it is the best way to create sharp graphic prints that can be produced a number of times.

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• Colleographs- using a rised surface to create an interesting textured print

These again are a great printing method as it allows you to be experimental with materials and colour. Not only do you get nice prints, but quite often the original colleograph is a work of art in itself.

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• 
  
  Lino printing
  
  
  
• Wood block printing using MDF
• 
  
  Layered corrigated cardboard ( oftenused to package white goods)
  
  
  

As can be seen in the images many students used more then one colour in the printing process or used strips of tissue paper or collage to print on, turning a single colour print into a coloured image without the complication of having to allign your printing block for a number of other colours, or cutting away for each different layer of colour applyed.

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• 
  
  Dry point etching - using a biro, pin or needle type tool to scratch or depress the surface, to create line drawing or texture. In some instances people also peeled away the shinyer top layer to reveal the softer grain underneath to create different tones.
  
  
  

Many of use created storys, sinarious or cartoon strips which were great fun and quick and easy to produce once a printing press is accessible, definantly a project for the classroom.

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• Monoprints

A method of printing that produces very illustrative results.

BLOCK PRINTING

MATERIALS:
MDF
Waterbased linoprinting ink
Lino cutting toolsNews paper
Pencil
2 rollers
Glass pane or other flat shiny surface
Masking tape
Carbon paper or tracing paper
Selection of paper; tissue paper, news paper, brown paper

MY WOODBLOCK PRINT
I chose to do a wood cut rather then lino, beginning by tracing an image of the two zebras on to my MDF board. This was more complicated then i expected as the pencil lines were very faint and easily rubbed off so i had to go over the lines with biro of permanent pen, this proved very time consuming and repetitive. Of course this would not have been an issue had i been drawing the image freehand, straight on to the surface.

Having transferred my image onto the woodblock i then proceeded to cut into it. The MDF in my opinion was alot more pleasant and easier to cut then most lino and i managed to cut this quite delicate fussy design quicker then a expected which was a nice surprise.
I think the great thing about this type of printing is that, once cut you have a very robust piece from which to make your prints, this solidity allowed me to really experiment and play around with process without worrying about damaging it.


Here is an image of the ink applied on to the board in a painterly manner and the result i think is a lively and spontaneous looking print.