A Conversation
By Luke Pearson
Project Brief
For this project brief I will be researching what is defined by a conversation and to go more indepth about the factors of speaking to one another or in groups. These factors will include how we speak and how the evolution on technology has evolved the we as people communicate. I will be researching designers who create work that forces a topic of conversation upon us. This will all help me create a number of concepts which I aim for a minimum of three ideas that I would like to take forward to the experimental stage. I will be aiming to use a number of different materials and concepts to create my ideas to see which will provide the best outcomes for my final piece.
The Brief
Conversation Through Me What’s the most important conversation for Who will you speak to? today?
I will be speaking to my piers at university but also
In society today, I believe that climate change is the my family and friends. I am going to be conducting a biggest issue we are faced with. This is because of survey as part of my primary research and with the
the current state of weather systems. With colder advancement of the internet I will be able to share
winters and warmer summers. Unusual things this on my facebook page and within groups to be are happening with other countries with Australia able to retrieve a number of different responses. having snow for the first time decades. When that happens you know something is wrong.
What is the message?
What’s the most important conversation for the The message will be in my final outcome. At the future?
moment I don’t know what message I will be delivering, simply because there are so many
It’s hard to say as we don’t know what sort of areas and points to consider, it would be difficult to problems we will have I the future. However be able to pick one in particular. with the way things are escalating, I believe that technology will have a big part in it. We rely on technology a lot these days and I fear that it could be the worst thing that could’ve happened. On the other hand populations could be a big problem with more people entering countries which could be devastating when finding jobs and with over crowding problems.
Research
A Conversation
- A talk or discussion where news, and opinions are exchanged between 2 or more people
Research
“What is the point in conversation?�
A conversation is to be able to talk with friends, family, colleagues and strangers who could turn into friends or even family. The point of a conversation depends on the people you are conversing with. This could be to find out news, opinions or even generally directions for somewhere. A conversation is to find out something you haven’t heard before, whether that being something of a certain topic like politics, or something about the other person(s) in the conversation. Talking to strangers is a good way of making new friends by getting to know about that person, and being told what their interests are. However, when conversing with a friend or family member the information being exchanged is news. This news could include what everyone in the conversation has done in the time since the last conversation between them; or any news regarding other friends or family such as, change in employment, pregnancy or relationship status. In some conversations there is more than 2 persons, which makes a conversation longer because of the more opinions being shared.
Research
“What are the types of conversation?” Conversation is viewed in a number of different
On the other hand, people have conversations that
ways depending on what will be addressed in the
are more noticeable and are made for more people
discussion as well as which persons are talking.
to get involved. Politics is a good example of this
Conversation is more noted as casual when
with debates especially televised ones between
with friends, family and work colleagues. These
party leaders and audiences of the public and
conversations are called “catch-ups” most of
media. These debates are made to get people
the time. These types of conversation are ones
talking about issues raised and to also choose
where everyone informs each other about what
a party they want in power to run the country or
everyone has been up to regarding employment,
county area. Politicians try to secure votes with
their interests and other friends, which could be
campaigns and advertising, which is another
classed as gossip. Conversations with friends
conversation to be had to the public. Advertising
and family can be casual but also personal too.
is a company or charity’s way of conversing with
These personal conversations are about problems
people through television, leaflets and the radio.
people have with health, relationships etc. and are
This is used to get more people talking about them
referred as private conversations, noting that the
and eventually coming to buy products or donating
person with the problem wants the conversation to
to raise an awareness.
be private between them and the other person(s) involved. If a problem is very serious counselling is a form of conversation too which is kept confidential between doctor and patient.
Research
Non-verbal Communication Non-verbal conversations are a way for people
In modern day, people with full sight and hearing
with disabilities to converse. For example the blind
still use hand gestures to communicate with others
are able to have conversations verbally, meanwhile
around them. Most common hand signal is usually
when it comes down to reading like a letter for
and offensive one with the middle finger or a “V�
example they are unable to read without the help
sign being used. However, other people use their
of Braille. Braille is where a page is embossed with
hands to meet somebody new with a hand shake,
what are like dots, for the blind person to run their
and for if they want someone to come to them they
fingers over to tell what is being communicated.
would wave towards them. Saying hello is a very
The words communicated are shown as symbols
common hand gesture with the use of a wave or a
so they are quick and easy to be able to read. As
thumbs up. These gestures are made to engage
for the deaf, people are able to see what people
with people who are stood away from you like
are saying through lip reading but an easier way
across from the street or between work colleagues
just like the blind with Braille, use their hands to
like bus drivers for example.
communicate signals which mean different words. This is a good way for someone to be engaged with someone as it takes two people to be able to communicate sign language.
Research
“How do people speak in conversation?” They are all kinds of different ways people speak
The way people speak is also depended on their
in a conversation. For one everyone has a different
emotion state, as if someone is happy they are
voice and that is down to a persons accent. Every
more high pitched and jolly. Whereas, if someone
country or county for example have different
is sad they would be quiet and for anger they would
ways of saying things, whether it being a different
be low pitched, louder. This is to intimidate the
word used to mean the same as something else
person so they make their presence known. The
or the way a word is pronounced. For example,
emotion in a conversation changes on what the
in Yorkshire “A’ up” means Hello, but the French
topic spoken about is but this can also be difficult
say Bonjour. Another example would be the word
to process in present times because, more people
status, because in American the pronunciation is
are conversing through technology. This is online
“Sta-tus”, where as in the UK “Stay-tus” is how the
through social media or mobile devices. Emotion is
British pronounce the word.
difficult to track on these devices because it is just words people are seeing and not how it is said. In most recent times this has been attempted to make easier with the addition of emojis or emoticons. These are small images that represent different emotions such as happy, sad, laughter, love and many more.
Research
Modern Conversations In the modern day conversation has progressed
and everything because abbreviated, including
a long way with the addition of developing
phrases. The lead in this was “laugh out loud” or
technologies. The mobile phone was the start of
“lol”. Communicating with someone through email
the change, with more people being able to text
now seems obsolete for a social aspect, this is
message rather than call for shorter pieces of
now used as a professional way to contact with
information. This was an introduction to “text speak”
someone. Since the rise in social media Facebook
where words then became shorter and abbreviated
has been a big culprit in changing the way people
with some being just letters, like the word “you”
communicate. This is down to being able to share
changed to “u”. As technology grew further with
pictures, video and views or “statuses” with anyone
the hype over social network becoming huge,
they are “friends” with, from someone around the
people were then able to communicate through
corner or the other side of the world. Facebook also
sites like Facebook, Myspace, Bebo, Twitter
added a feature to video chat through a web cam.
and recently Instagram; all because of instant
This was introduced after the success of Skype
messaging. MSN or Windows Live Messenger,
by Windows. This is a good way to converse with
was the leader of instant messaging before any
business partners and others who live away from
other social media platform. It was on MSN which
each other. Some critics of modern society believe
was popular with young teens, was the canvas for
that social media has destroyed peoples ability to
new was of conversation with abbreviations. Here
speak to each other in person without having a
was where slang was the way everyone spoke
mobile phone or computer in front of them.
Research
Magazine of Favourite Words Throughout my research I have thought to myself what makes a conversation? It was at this point my sarcastic self said words, words make a conversation happen otherwise people would be stood staring at each other like two dogs in the street. So I thought deeper about words and how people use them and I thought everyone has a word they like and a word they hate, a word that makes them shiver, like “moist”. This has given me the concept of finding out people’s favourite words and making a magazine out of them. Each word having a double page spread where one word is there on a page which is manipulated to relate to the word. Meanwhile of the other page is reasons for why the word is liked, so it is like an article on a word by people.
Concept Research
Tang Yau Hoong The project named quote illustration by designer Tang Yau Hoong is a personal project of his. In this project he uses inspirational quotes made by famous or unknown people, and he illustrates them in a way that relates to the quotation. He also makes references to the words but then he expands his ideas on the image making them more animated and part of the whole piece. Like with this example the quote is “Sharpen your imagination”, and with this he is using a pencil sharpener in relation to the word “sharpen” and the excess pencil is being documented on a journey toward being a bird. This is connected to the imagination part because you wouldn’t expect a relationship between pencil sharpenings and a bird.
Concept Research
Fons Hickmann Focusing
on
Fons
Hickmann’s
work
for
Amnesty International, where he created a range of illustrations for the organisation. These illustrations were used for a regular magazine, which were showcased on the cover and also inside the publication. The work I have looked at is the front cover work. These designs were developed language based on a typographic system which was simple and clear to understand. The illustrations themselves became animated because of the strong graphics. The whole series of work is like a system of signalling, and this is down to the contrast of the colours used, which is mainly two colours. This continues with the hard character headlines and graphics along with, the pictograms produced in the way of illustrations.
Concept Research
Political Campaign Posters After looking at my research I am very fond of
This relates to a conversation as this sort of work
the idea of using politics as a way to express
will get people talking about it and the issues
conversation. My idea for this has been inspired
around the politician themselves. However, the
by Shepard Fairey’s Barack Obama “Hope” poster.
meaning behind this is that politics is about
However, instead of using the word like hope, I
persuading people to vote for them and then once
will be using real people’s opinions of the political
they’re in power they leave those people behind,
world. For example instead of “Hope” I could
and persuasion is a part of conversation to make
replace that with “Hopeless”. I would be using a
people do things they may not want to do.
number of famous politicians who most likely have had their voters turn on them, as Tony Blair for example after going to war with Iraq. Instead of copying Fairey’s work by just changing the name, I will be using collage and de Collage to reveal parts of newspaper headlines to make this a more radical look. I am also interested in a propaganda style but I believe this would have more effect in the meaning.
Concept Research
Shepard Fairey/OBEY Shepard Fairey is the founder of the OBEY sticker campaign. OBEY are a campaign that sells prints and clothing as part of an experiment in phenomenology. Fairey and his team were the creators of the famous Obama “HOPE” poster. The poster was created in the run up to the Presidential elections in 2009. OBEY started a grassroots campaign at street level, that was to help elect Barack Obama as President of the United States. Overall there was 300,000 posters printed and these were placed all over yards and windows as part of the campaign. The poster itself is printed with the colours of the United States, in red, white and blue. Obama is the centre image looking into the distance and then word “HOPE” is written along the bottom. This was to show that Obama would give hope to the American people.
Concept Research
Propaganda Propaganda is a type of information that is aimed
Propaganda is still around today in modern society
towards a biased opinion. These opinions are
because of the social media usage. This is called
generally politically and are shown by forms of
social media propaganda and this takes attack on
posters and actions such as protests. Propaganda
the social media outlets online for being so open
art is focused mainly on war throughout the years
and people able to talk to each other all over the
with a political appearance over recent times.
world, as this could be risky. Also politics has
Women are a prominent presence in Propaganda
a big part in modern propaganda, because its a
posters because of the influence they have had
common feeling that politicians plead for votes
since World War 2. These images of women were
to win an election but when they’re in power they
send out to urge the women population to get
ignore their policies that they wanted to implement
into employment in factories and mills to help the
whilst in power, such as changing the world.
economy, whilst the majority of men were away fighting in the war. Women are still a big focus point in propaganda because of the rise in women’s rights and also feminism being a talking point of the modern day.
Concept Research
De Collage and Collage The difference between de Collage and collage is
Famous artists for de Collage include, Jamie Reid,
that, de Collage is where paper or something is
whose style is known for the album covers for
ripped away. For example an advertising billboard
the British punk rock band The Sex Pistols. Wolf
is ideally used for this as, once an advert is ripped
Vostell is another famous de collagist, with his work
away it then reveals what was there before it. On
with removing advertisements from each other
the other hand collage is where items like paper and
to reveal interesting images and compositions.
card etc. is added to a blank canvas and arranged
Collage however, has many different artists such
into something that has a meaning. Both art forms
as Kurt Schwitters, who also creates assemblages
look very similar when results are compared. This
with wood and 3D objects. Richard hamilt’s collage
is only because similar elements are the same or
work is more pop art based, where he uses cuttings
look in the same style such as; the ripped outline
from newspapers and magazines.
of materials.
Concept Research
Political Campaigns Political campaigns are used to help push a
When a political party is campaigning for votes,
candidate who is running in an election. In the UK
they use the colours of their party along with a bold
there is a number of people available to vote for as
typeface that tell people who to vote for like “Vote
a member of the public, because of the different
*party name*” or “Vote *MP’s name*”. This is to get
approaches people have there is different parties.
people’s attention of the election and to go and find
Each party is represented by a colour or two. This is
out about the policies that are in place. Compared
so that even if there’s no information about people
to America, things are very similar with party
know what party that is. For example; Labour is
conferences and rallies, where people from that
red, Conservatives are blue, Liberal Democrats are
town, city or state come to support the candidate.
yellow, Green party is green and UKIP is purple and
This is where you see coloured badges and cards
yellow. Compare this to the Americans, who have
around with the candidates name on it or a slogan
the Democrats are blue represented, Republican
they are using such as “Forward” or “change”.
which is red, Liberation is yellow, Green Party is
These words are the most used ones in political
green and the Constitution Party is red, white and
campaigns, because if things haven’t worked
blue. However, The Democrats or the Republicans
out with a previous government, politicians want
are the main two with either one of them getting
people to know that there is a way out and things
into power. This is similar to the UK where either
can change or they can move forward in building
Labour or Conservatives are elected.
a better future. This makes their campaigns relate to the people.
Concept Research
British Politics Campaigns Campaigns that have been used in British politics
Over the years Labour and the Conservatives
have always focused on the positive information
have fought against each other as main rivals
that voters want to hear. For example in the 2010
in elections. Over the years they have tended
General Election, David Cameron’s Conservatives
to blame each other for the current state of the
used a campaign poster that quoted him saying; “I
economy or have chosen to scare the public by
will cut the deficit, not the NHS”. At that time with
saying what the other will do when in power. One
the worries of the NHS begin cut, this was the news
of the biggest and most memorable campaign
everyone wanted to hear that knowing their health
images was from the 1979 general election. This
service wouldn’t be axed for private healthcare.
was the image showing a queue of people lining
However, this campaign was then used in the
up to enter the unemployment office, with the bold
2015 General Election campaign by Ed Miliband’s
words about stating “Labour isn’t working”. This is
Labour. This was used by the opposition, but with
a good design from Saatchi & Saatchi, because it
the words changed to “I’m cutting the NHS, not the
is showing an image of the current state at the time,
deficit”, because during the four years that David
but also using the “Not working” status as both the
Cameron was in charge for, he cut part of the NHS.
public being out of work and also the government
Now this was used to mock the Tories and gain
not working out the way people expected.
more voters back on the fact that they couldn’t trust Mr Cameron.
Concept Research
Newspaper Headlines
Development
RACIST CHEATER COWARD SEX PEST AGGRESSOR LIAR LIAR HEARTLESS
RACIST CHEATER COWARD SEX PEST AGGRESSOR LIAR HEARTLESS LIAR
Political Campaign Experimentation What did I produce?
What can I improve on?
Using Shepard Fairey’s Obama Hope poster, I
As this was a first experiment a number of this
decided to start creating my own posters that
went wrong. Firstly some of the larger headlines
would be made of 3 colours. When thinking about
I printed had a far too big point size to even fit
what I wanted from this piece was to be able to
on the page. Some of the colour schemes on the
screen print one of these images. So with that in
images didn’t look right. My image of Nick Clegg
mind I collected images one after the other and
with a purple suit didn’t work as well as the black
placed them in Adobe Illustrator. Then after that,
and yellow with the white. I used purple as it was
I began the image trace with the 3 colour option.
the colour of cowardness. However, the outcomes
This gave me the outlines I wanted but the colours
I got were fantastic especially from the Bureau
were very similar and random. It was with this I
typeface. I feel that if I was to develop this concept
decided to use the politicians party colours,
further, I would try using a black background and a
so David Cameron was blue and white for the
white text over the top as some of the white didn’t
Conservatives for example. I then though about
stand out as much. I would also like to photocopy
using colours that are associated with the words
some of these and experiment with the copying
I am using for each politician, with war being red
machine, as that I think could give me some good
and black colours. After that I began creating the
effects.
headlines that I wanted to use. I researched into the most common fonts used by newspapers and I went with Utopia Display as the serif and Bureau for a San serif font.
Development
Statement Photography One of the first ideas I have come up with was
the truth at the time but, in the future things may
the use of photography. The briefs states that two
not work out. My concept is to capture the good
types of media must be used in the final outcome,
moments and use typography to handle the good
and Photography is a good media to use because it
quotes like “I love you”, but also have a quote that
can easily be digitally or manually manipulated. For
somehow creates the end of the memory. I intend
this concept I thought about using black and white
to capture this by using a ransom note style. This
photography to capture moments in someone’s
means that the word’s “I love you” is in a happy
life which are the best moments you can think
typographical style, While the bad phrase such as
of but some of these always come to an end. In
“until someone better comes along” will be shown
an example a relationship is perfect, because
as a ransom note. I’ve decided to do things like
everyone goes through the “honeymoon” stage,
this because it’s a way of showing the good and
which is where both people can’t get enough of
the bad conversations we have as people, but they
each other and want to spend every minute with
are also the most memorable we have. A ransom
each other or talking to each other. It is at this point
note is chosen as I believe it relates to bad things
where someone will say “I love you” or they’ll be
and it would give a lot of emphasis on the meaning
together forever. Now that is natural and could be
as it’s a lie that hasn’t been intended.
Development
Jamie Reid Reid’s work is an iconic representation of the punk rock era in England. With most of his work created for punk rock band The Sex Pistols, his work became globally recognisable. It was said that his work on the albums “Never mind the Bollocks” and “here’s the Sex Pistols” was the single most iconic image of that time. Reid’s work was made up of newspaper clippings with letters cut from headlines in a random note style. He then used this style a number of years later to create the political magazine Suburban Press, which he ran for a number of years.
Concept Research
Statement Photography Experimentation What have I produced?
What could I improve?
For this concept I have produced an image with
I feel like I can improve a lot on this concept,
newspaper headline cuttings over the top of the
because the way I pictured it hasn’t come out as
image to produce a phrase, like a random note
well as I had hoped. Firstly, I would add more serif
style. I started off by collecting a number of images
headlines to the ransom note because it all feels
I could use that would go well with this idea of
very modern with the San serif headlines. The size
mixing image and typography with collage. Once I
is a bit of a problem but I think that could be down
had images I placed them into InDesign and added
to the seize of the phrase and A3 paper. To rectify
text. For example for the couple image I used “I love
this I can use a larger paper size or use smaller
you so much...”. I used the typeface Baskerville as I
headlines. However, I have ripped the letters out
felt that it is a classy font that goes with the mood of
instead of cutting them, and I think that would help
the image. After that I added newspaper cuttings to
with the sizing issue too. Finally, I would use my
form “until someone better comes along.” This was
own images, because it would be easier to get the
to make this phrase totally different to Baskerville,
shots I want exactly.
because it is being used to ruin the romantic mood set. I have done this because it shows that when people say things but then they change their minds months or years later, and I am documenting a lie that hasn’t yet been intended. When I scanned the original, I then began playing with the black and white setting too and the threshold, which relates to one of my other concepts.
Development
Emoticon Photography Here I have again decided to use photography once
This will also compare the effect these icons have
again to create an emotion using the modern theme
over a computer or phone screen with a real life
of an emoticon. My concept is to record images of
situation. I would also like to add text to the image
people in emotional situations such as a funeral for
as to add a little extra, by asking the audience
example, and to express the emotion of someone
“Does the emotion capture the feeling?�. I want to
in the image, I will be using the modern emoticons
add this because the image itself seems like it will
instead. In my example a funeral is an upsetting
be strong but I believe that if I add the text, it will
place, especially for people who are close to the
give that extra kick for people to really think about
deceased. I want to capture that sadness but also
the use of emoticons.
make reference to modern day society with the emoticon. This is to make a dig at the way social media has become, because everyday someone uses one of these icons and it doesn’t show a big impact on their feelings. I feel that the addition of an emoticon will force people to think twice about their decision to use these icons.
Concept Research
Emoticon Photography Emoticons or Emojis in some cases are small images of yellow faces which show emotions or moods. For example there is an emoticon for being happy with the small face smiling and so on. These images have developed massively over the last few years with social media outlets mostly with Snapchat. These emoticons work well with Snapchat because of the limited text available to use in a “snap�. The main ones used were happy, sad and the joking icons are the original emojis. Meanwhile, now they are emoticons which are not just face emotions but love hearts, sporting icons such as a football etc. as well as food and medical items. They are known for their fun like nature and relevance to feelings and activities. Most of these are able for use on all Snapchat accounts but are only available through Facebook and text messaging on iPhones. However, Android phones have their own emojis but are harder to encrypt.
Concept Research
Liza Nelson Liza Nelson is the first Photographer to recreate emojis or emoticons in real life detail. Her project that she has named Emoji.IRL.LOL is a series of photographs she has taken, that captures emojis that are the most meaningful to her. She has stated that these 20 x 20 pixel cartoons “Mean everything but nothing at the same time�, and by that I feel she is describing them as practically useless but also that people use them to express their own raw emotions through messaging. Nelson is an emoji user herself and feels that she could be taking them for granted, but she designed the project because she felt that the characters needed to be closely examined in detail. I really like how she has captured them with the colour scheme along with the detailed photograph. I really like the concept as she has really captured the essence of them and indicating that they are now part of our language.
Concept Research
Emoticon Photography Experimentation What have I produced?
What could I improve?
With this concept I have decided to create my
For any improvements I would say the photography
own emoticons but use them in real life situations.
would be my own. This would help me out with
I wanted to show that emotions are now part of
retrieving the right images and angles that I’d want
modern culture, and people are now using these
as sometimes they’re hard to get hold of online,
cartoon images to express their emotions instead
which are copyright free. As for my emoticons, I
of using actual words. I wanted to show this by
feel very pleased with them and for me to go a
using photography by mixing a real life moment
step further would be to make more and maybe
along with something that now represents a way
create my own if I can. I am also wondering about
we all feel instead of the person actually showing
if I could add any text to the image, which would be
their emotion. This is my way of showing that
an area I could experiment with more.
people are hiding behind these emoticons instead of facing reality. The images I have used so far are what I have found on Google. However, if I choose to pursue this concept, I will be using my own images and potentially different scenarios.
Development
Message Photography My final concept is based on Photography once
a text messages over the top of the image. The
again. However, I want to show my observations
messages would say things such as “Hi, How are
of the modern conversations people have. Now
you?” etc. just regular conversations and replies.
this could be using the abbreviations I have found
This will be to show everyone that if you are going
in my research but I mainly want to focus on the
to be on your phone during a catch up with your
lack of face to face communication people have
friends then why bother meeting up?. I want this
with each other. In the present day people speak
concept to attract people and make them think
through their phones via text, email, and social
about the way they conduct themselves around
media. Through my observations by being out and
people.
about, I see people on their phones all the time, even when they’re with friends. Its a common sight nowadays to see a group of friends together all on their phones, either messaging other people or taking photographs of their coffee or food. My idea here is to show images of people on their phones or social media using photography, and then add
Concept Research
Abbreviations
Concept Research
LOL
Laugh out Loud
NW
No Way
XOXO
Hugs and Kisses
BAE
Before Anyone Else
C U/C YA
See You
SUP
What’s up?
YA/YE
Yes/
2MORO
Tomorrow
BRB
Be Right Back
U2
You Too
RU
Are You
2NITE
Tonight
TNX
Thanks
WUU2
What You Up To?
RBAU
Right Back At You
2DAY
Today
B4
Before
WUBU2
What You Been Up To?
TMI
Too Much Information
ATB
All The Best
4EVA
Forever
SUS
See You Soon
ZZZ
Tired/Bored
FYI
For Your Information
ASAP
As Soon As Possible
UG2BK
You’ve Got To Be Kidding
SLAP
Sounds Like A Plan
IMO
In My Opinion
ILY/ILU
I Love You
NE1
Anyone
TY
Thank You
MSG
Message
BC
Because
WE
Whatever
NMP
Not My Problem
NO1
No one
PPL
People
TOY
Thinking Of You
JK
Just Kidding/Joking
SOM1
Someone
ROTF
Rolling On The Floor
NTK
Nice To Know
JP
Just Playing
WKND
Weekend
BTW
By the Way
WDYT
What Do You Think?
JW
Just Wondering
WAN2
Want to
ATM
At the Minute/Moment
WUWH
Wish You Was Here
GL
Good Luck
YR/UR
Your
POV
Point of View
TLC
Tender Loving Care
GR8
Great
B
Be
NOYB
None of Your Business
PLS
Please
GTG/G2G
Got To Go
BRT
Be Right There
BFF
Best Friend Forever
QT
Cutie
GRATS
Congratulations
RU OK?
Are You Okay?
BF/GF
Boyfriend/Girlfriend
WAYD
What Are You Doing?
GOI
Get Over It
MOB
Mobile
AKA
Also Known As
WFM
Works For me
K
Okay
M8
Mate
NM
Nothing Much
RUT
Are You There?
IDK
I Don’t Know
WIV
With
DEFO
Definitely
TBH
To Be Honest
HIG
How’s It Going?
YNK
You Never Know
L8
Late
TBF
To be Fair
CMU
Crack Me Up
LUV
Love
Message Photography Experimentation What have I produced?
What could I improve?
Here I have wanted to capture a conversation
The improvements that I will look to make in
that people have face to face, but through text
this concept will include the change of the text.
messages. I have used images that show people
I used Helvetica regular, but the actual iPhone
in the company of others, but over the top I have
message typeface is Helvetica Neure Light. I will
used text messages to show what would be said to
also use my own images that I intend to take as
each other. However, this links in with the image of
well as improving the shaping of the text bubble in
the people on their phones. This links in well with
Illustrator.
the modern way of communicating. I have used images that are not my own at the minute due to these outcomes being experiments. I also created the text bubbles myself in Illustrator and thought of the appropriate text for the images. I then changed the opacity to 80% of the text bubbles, to make the text more together with the image.
Development
Concept Development The concept I have chosen to produce as a final
My final outcome idea is to create an advertising
outcome, is my ideas on using emoticons as a way
campaign for emotions. Instead of trying to sell an
to hide peoples faces and emotions in photographs.
idem or promote a brand, I am going to promote
I have chosen this concept because I believe that
the emotions of, love, happy, sad, excitement,
it is a strong part of modern society, where people
scared,, illness and laughter. Looking back at my
are shying away from expressing their feelings
initial experiments for this concept, I have taken on
and emotions. Emoticons are also used as a fun
board the criticism I gave to myself with regarding
effect because they are cartoon images of facial
improvements I could make. I have already created
expressions. The emoticons are not relatively new,
all the emoticons I wish to use in Illustrator, and I
but over the past year or so these cartoons of
will be using my own photography to go with each
faces showing feelings have expanded. They have
emoticon.
expanded into not just faces but objects, activities like sports for example; and also hand gestures. What I am doing with this concept is to show people that its okay to show their emotions and to hide behind these images.
Further Development
Concept Development For the advertising campaign, I will be presenting a
These tag lines are there to tell people that they
series of posters, that will be also used as billboards,
should be expressing their feelings and not just
and a series of t-shirt designs will be made as well.
using an image to show it. This isn’t good because
My development so far, has included my using the
when someone sees an emoticon, they feel that
emoticons I have illustrated and adding them to
the person who sent it is upset or whatever the
stock photographs from Google. I have done this
emoticon is, but the cartoon image give it a fun
to see if any of the emoticons I have designed,
side which takes away a lot of remorse for the
need any modifications to them and if they work
person going through the emotion. This is were
well as an image. In my next stage of development
people can then hide behind these images so they
I hope to add text to the image, such as a slogan
can avoid a conversation about the emotion.
for the campaign. At the moment I have thought of a number of tag lines that I can use, which relate to the concept of promoting emotions and feelings. The tag lines I have chosen are; “Much more than an image”, “feelings are for living” and “don’t just feel them, show them”.
Further Development
Image Development After taking my own photographs I began to place
Afterwards I began to look at the effects, and it
the emoticons I wanted to use over the faces of
was here where came across the posterise tool. At
people. For this I had to determine the size of
first the image was very sharp in contrast but after
each emoji to be able to cover peoples heads and
adjusting the effect, this became to work more with
also in proportion to the camera. This is to make
the emoticon images because of the cross of real
the image realistic with the larger heads closer to
life and the cartoon images. With the posterise
the camera and smaller heads further away. After
effect working well I wanted to see how this could
I organised the emoticons in the right positions I
work in a black and white style. This is when I used
then experimented with the effects in Photoshop.
the threshold effect and started adjusting with the
Firstly I chose to adjust the colouring by making the
elements of the detail. This worked really well
image black and white and then I played around
because the images became more striking and the
with the levels to create a sharper image.
viewers eye went directly to the emoticons.
Further Development
Image Development These are my final images that I am going to use
I used Photoshop because this was a lot easier
in my advertising campaign. I wanted them all to
to adjust the photograph style and feel with the
be have a similar quality to them and with this I
different effects at my disposal. I imported my
have them all black and white. This is because the
created emoticons in the document and then I
emoticons will be the most visible to the viewers,
stylized the photograph image. I did this because it
and in an advertising campaign something has
helped me see what was the best style that worked
to stand out and make people want to look at the
with the emojis. I also used the patch and healing
image. I also chose to go with black and white
tools throughout, because of some of the clothing
imagery because I want to raise awareness for
my models were wearing had logos and other
people who don’t express their feelings because
branded products and I didn’t want to be involved
bottling their emotions up could cause depression
with a copyright infringement.
and other mental health problems; and with that I felt the black and white would create a serious atmosphere around the posters. I have also created one landscape image because not all advertising spaces will be landscape.
Further Development
Typography Development Now that I have my images, the only thing left to do
I wanted a typeface that was bold and strong,
is the detail work with the addition of text. Because
because that is what I had found throughout my
my work is an advertising campaign I have created
research on advertising campaigns. The use
a short tag line that I think works really well with my
of bold text was used regularly, which was to
message that I want to get across to people. I have
make the statement stand out. After looking at
chosen the slogan “Don’t hide your true feelings”;
a number of typefaces I ended up with Avenir,
this is to express to everyone that it’s okay to share
Cubano, maven and Mission. I really liked them
their emotions and they don’t have to hide what
all because of their bold natures and abilities of
they are feeling from others. I didn’t want a tag line
various styles including, bold and thin types. After
that was too long or too short because I wanted
my experimentation I have decided to go for Avenir
the image to be the main focus of the design, but I
Bold. This is because it is as bold and strong font
didn’t want the message to be lost either within the
and fits well with the image and logo.
images.
Further Development
Final Outcome For my final pieces I have created a number of
I have chosen to use black and white photography
advertising campaign posters about how people
because I can capture a moment in real life and then
have started to show their emotions through
create emoticons over the top of peoples faces, to
emoticons. This has become a major thing in the
represent their emotion. I wanted to do this so I
modern day with the introduction of social media,
can bring the modern way of communicating into
which has driven the design of these cartoon
the real world, and also show people this is what
images showing emotions. It has got to a point
they are saying to someone when they send an
where people can have a conversation through
emoticon instead of expressing themselves.
emoticons, and this has taken the beauty of communication away from our social lives. People believe that they can use an emoticon or “emoji� to show someone they are sad but yet its a fun type of sad, because the emoticons are a fun icon. I have chosen to do an advertising campaign to show people that do this who are mainly younger adults and teenagers, that people shouldn’t be scared to hide their feelings and emotions.
Final Piece
Final Outcome
Final Piece
Final Mock Ups
Final Outcome
Emoticon Merchandise With the evolution of the emoji or emoticon, designers have created merchandise for them. The most common is cushions, because with their round shape figure and emotion pattern, these make a great product to sell to consumers. I have been unsuccessful in finding out the designer of the first lot of this type of merchandise. However, they are being sold within high street shops and online through popular site such as Amazon and Ebay. These are great additions to beds or sofas because of their soft textured material. The round shape makes then practical because they are easily available to cushion the head and can be used as a pillow substitute.
Further Research
Emoticon T-Shirts After finding out about emoticon cushions, I felt that I could use the images I have created to make my own merchandise. I went for t-shirts, because they are easy to make and also to print. However, I had noticed that no one has created t-shirts like these before with the whole t-shirt being represented as the emoticon. I have used a yellow base colour for the shirts, because of the known design of the yellow faces. I have made it so the emotion is on the front of the shirts to make it eye catching and make people wonder what the shirts are. Meanwhile, on the back I have linked these with my advertising campaign, which is why I have added the slogan I have used on the back. I have also added the logo of a mental health charity that could use this campaign in future.
Further Outcomes
Photography Contact Sheet
Primary Sources
Photography Contact Sheet
Primary Sources
Sources
Secondary Sources
google.com
www.independent.co.uk
www.freedomarchives.org
en.wikipedia.org
www.japantimes.co.jp
tangyauhoong.com
us-political-parties.insidegov.com
www.shoutoutuk.org
www.indiamart.com
http://www.hamilton-richard.com/
www.luxurydaily.com
www.ebay.co.uk
lizanelson.com
www.gamesareasocial.com
wired.com
www.huffingtonpost.com
http://www.newsdesigns.com/newspaper-design/
insidethemindofanaspie.wordpress.com
typography/common-fonts-used-for-newspaper-
galleryhip.com
design/
imgkid.com
www.dailymotion.com
www.gushmag.it
www.cukromania.pl
www.fonshickmann.com
cedecpymes.org
plus.google.com
galleryhip.com
www.ign.com
deadline.com
www.bbench.co.uk
whatwillmatter.com
www.basfeijen.nl
www.clarkeroberts.co.uk
www.taringa.net