THINK MAKE
Issue 1, May 2014
EXPRESS THESIS THINKING Doer’s Intent in three parts
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Editorial Megha Parashar Cover & Magazine Design Megha Parashar Guide Lindsay Kinkade Other contributors Candy Choi Dorrit Men Haejin Park Jennifer Testamark John Sutton Joshua Menigoz Milo Cao Neville Feng Wendy Ho Š Megha Parashar, MVCD, 2014 The Design School, ASU
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Think The Doer’s Intent
Make in three parts
Express
Letter from the Editor Namaste! Welcome to my very first issue
Creating a net and interweaving
of Think, Make & Express magazine.
through all my work helped me make
It has now been almost close to ten months from the time I landed in the USA to pursue my Masters in Visual Communication Design, and it is already time for me to take the big leap, my thesis project. I am extremely excited to have made it to this point, but before
a coherent output. Now I feel glad to have made this magazine as a beginning of my thesis. It helps me foresee every future thesis experimentation of mine, being treated in this format to communicate my process to a bigger audience.
you go on, I would like to tell you a little
A note of thanks to my professors and
about my magazine. There are three
colleagues who have helped me in
categories in the magazine: Think, Make
the process of my thesis proposal and
and Express. These are the core parts
have collaborated with me at
of the magazine, wherein think is the
different levels. Without all of them none
thought process, making is giving
of this would have been possible. I
form and expressing is communicating
feel honored to have had a chance to
the idea.
use this platform to share my
For this issue, my manifesto, ‘The Doer’s Intent,’ has been divided into three parts showing the process behind design thinking, making and expressing. The cover story ‘Thesis Thinking: Dancing Letters’ and the content of the magazine go on to explain the thought process behind the thesis proposal, followed by
work with other people. Please visit www.behance.net/meghaparashar to see some of my other work and followup on my thesis process. Also, please feel free to leave me a message, ask me a question or share your thoughts with me on megha.parashar@gmail.com.
explorations and proposed future
I appreciate you taking out your time to
experiments for the thesis.
go through my work. I hope you enjoy
When I set out to create this magazine I thought of different ways to show my
every bit of this magazine going through it, as much as I enjoyed making it.
thesis thinking. In the process I realized
Inspire Yourself!
the importance of a structure and
Megha Parashar
how it would help me create a narrative for both my magazine and its content.
Think The Doer’s Intent Part I 2 The Satisfactors Reflection on Mapping the present 6 Design Lietracy Book Review 8 Thesis Thinking Thesis proposal
Make
The Doer’s Intent Part II 14 Process
A photo-story for satisfaction 16 Three dimensional type workshop 18 Stencil making workshop 20 Formal Study
Express The Doer’s Intent Part III 24 Summer Projects 28 Sugar & Spice Glossary of terms
Think The Doer’s Intent Part I
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Try
Don’t be afraid of trying. Start something new. It is the first step of the process. Explore
Start by initiating explorations. Think
You never know when an idea may strike. Collaborate
Meet people, talk to them.
Listen to what they have to say and ask them questions. Consume
Take in what you hear, see and feel.
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The Satisfactors Megha Parashar
Reflecting on my first assignment enabled me to graph the process of my work in different ways and come up with beautiful visualizations of the same context. It was interesting to look at how differently the same information could be rendered and treated in order to convey something. I identified the different factors that helped me achieve the final stage of my work with constant juxtaposition of the excitement of doing something and being satisfied with it. In the next assignment, Marking the landscape of our Present, I thought of my present and
Making this map was an experience that I can always look back at and reflect upon even while I pursue my work endeavors in future.
the different things that crossed my mind were my influences, inspirations, time and change. All of it boiled down to one important keyword: Process. So after some thoughts I decided to go with the map of my present work process. It was a simple but intriguing way of looking at the process that I went through while I was working on my project. I realized that not only did satisfaction mean different things to different people, it had different levels too. I categorized the factors I had identified, in different levels. While charting these I felt that it had the dimension of levels but there was no distinction in the factors. So I categorized the factors into ‘People’, ‘Pause’ and ‘Process’. It was a clear graph with factors in both, 2
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categories and levels. For visualizing, I thought of using my skill of illustrating and hand written type as it fit in the context. I took the direction of watercolor illustrations since they felt free, expressive in character. After lay outing them on the map I thought it was fun, rich, colorful and had my voice but missed something. In the next feedback I realized it needed a story. Do they all come at the same time in every process? Do I visit some again the second time around?
There was experiments, struggle and overcoming struggles, explorations, time, happiness and satisfaction.
Do I always start at the same place? The answers to these was going to be my story, a timeline. I mapped the route I followed while
working on a project. I then visualized the same for every month. They all had distinctive characters. It was interesting to note how the same things could have different impact on me at different times. There was a change in pattern with change in situation and time, that made me realize that this ongoing process was ever changing. I could always remove from it or even add to it.
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Design Literacy Review by Megha Parashar
Understanding Graphic Design
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Herb Lubalin’s Avant Garde magazine
though a few icons exerted an emotional
(1968-71) was an ‘expression of the social
power in history, they still have an
and cultural flux within American Society
impact on humans which cannot be
as influenced by the antiwar movement,
overlooked even after so many years.
civil rights, and the alternative New Left
Some of the other interesting essays shine
and youth cultures.’ He had once said,
light on how a few works can have a
“Typography is a servant—the servant of
loud voice by using the right amount of
thought and language to which it gives
words or letters to make an effective
visible existence.”
composition, a few works can do more
It would not be wrong to say that Design
than informing, by adding a uniform
Literacy: Understanding Graphic Design is
identity to them and that one can actually
an archive that contains informative &
lived. It forms an influential part of
stay ahead of time by simply adopting
interesting insights into graphic design
our culture. Focusing on the significance
the most appropriate way of conveying
and how it relevantly addresses issue
of individual works, from a variety,
information. In reality every unique
in a large context. This book is a second
adds historical and cultural dimension
work has its own context and requires
edition that is updated with more
to design.
a special treatment. Understanding
essays. Every essay in this book bares relation to some political, historical, national or personal issue. Each essay in
The essay on Neue Jugend, a political journal that became a vent for George
this context and placing the design in the right way makes it functional for time.
Grosz’s political satires and for people
This is a thought provoking and intriguing
who experienced opposition to their
read, that analyzes the importance of a
political ideas, illustrates how certain
structure in a design and its meaning in
works of design become the voice for
the world. It enables the reader to delve
a few people. It allowed the initiation of
deeper into the fact that every piece of
the typographic revolution and became
graphic design, be it a magazine, a
the stepping stone for other German dada
journal, a poster, type, book cover, an
publications. It proved the political
advertisement; is all contextual and is
An interesting thought while reading the
power of a periodical media. The essay
a story in itself. It triggers thought,
book is that Graphic Design is not short-
about the Swastika, tells us that even
emotions, political & historical reference.
this book is unique in representation and in terms of design culture. The book is divided into nine parts: Persuasion, Mass Media, Type, Language, Identity, Information, Iconography, Style and Commerce. Some of the section even have essays that relate to each other.
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Thesis Thinking Dancing Letters
Hands on experimentation to yield expressive typography
Throughout the history of the written word the use of tools and technology has led to a profound shift in the way typography is made and received
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As language has evolved, so too have the forms used to make it visible–letterforms.
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With language evolution, designers have
are words as images that communicate
this will include typographic forms
experimented and explored typography
meanings. They have often used
resulting in: a set of posters, a video
as a medium to express emotion, feeling
techniques to give the words a form
(typography in motion), a book, a
and action. The letters have gone beyond
of picture.
collaborative workshop to experiment
their use as only text and found a place as visual elements in graphic design. With evolution of language expressive typography has gained prevalence as a way of communication.
This thesis proposal is an outcome of my personal interest as a working designer, constantly experimenting with type to emote meaning. It draws inspiration from the works of practicing designers in
In popular culture, there are many
this area, like Marian Bantjes, Stefan
rich expressive forms of art like singing,
Sagmeister, Craig Ward and Evelin
writing, acting and dancing. For me
Kasikov. I will explore dance as a form of
dance is more than an expression. It is a
expression through typography. My
story, an emotion, confidence, ceremony
methods will be a way to communicate
and happiness. Ivan Chermayeff, a prolific
the viability of dance. I will attempt
designer, has said that graphic design
to generate typography and organize it to
is all about finding relationships. It is what
convey information. I will try hands-on
poetry is about, meaning beyond
and full body experiments, exploring
meaning and image beyond image.
different mediums and materials to
Chermayeff and Geismar’s works
express the feel of dance. The outcomes of
with type and an exhibit.
My thesis will explore the possibilities of typography as an expressive and emotive visual element. It will be a learning and practicing experience for me to build a strong foundation for my future as not just a designer but a ‘Visual Communicator’. It will also be an inspiration for practicing designers, of typography to express meaning in Graphic design.
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The Doer’s Intent Part II
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Get Inspired
Look around and let things influence your work. Loosen Up
Free yourself. Let go of inhibitions and broaden your perspective. Draw
It is an effective way of expressing. Iterate
There are different ways of approaching the same thing. Try possible methods. Connect
Make connections and relate things. It adds meanings.
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Process A photo-story for satisfaction
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Photostory showing process of satisfaction in work
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3-D type workshop
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3-D type workshop
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Stencil making workshop at Phoenix Urban Design Week 2014
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Stencil making workshop at Phoenix Urban Design Week 2014
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Formal study showing process
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Formal study showing process
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Express The Doer’s Intent Part III
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Make Mistakes
Don’t be afraid of failing.
Accept your mistakes and learn from them. Refine
Be ready to redo things. Break it and then make it. Enjoy
Love what you do and seek happiness in it. Take interest, rejoice and laugh. Pause
Take a break. Go for a walk. Get some fresh air. Own
It is yours. Name it, Own it!
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Summer Projects by Megha Parashar
What is experimental typography? How can I make text expressive? How can I explore the feel of dance through typography? What is movement and rhythm? How can motion be depicted through static format? How can I depict transformation?
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Deliverable The final design deliverable will be an experimental motion video. This video will be a typographic or/and formal motion one that explains the meaning and feel of dance in different aspects and brings out the essence of dance to the viewer. 16 June Interview 17 June
Interview
18 June Transcribe interview 19 June Experiment with form and typography
© Etienne-Jules Mare
25 June Critique and feedback 27 June Start experimenting with different techniques 1 July
Read between the steps Project description A motion experimental project to show dance as a form of expression and a useful activity in different ways. The challenge is to explore typography in motion to bring about the feel of dance that people can relate to and encourage them to dance more. The process of this project will involve interviewing people, getting to know what dance means to them and sketching with them. Methodology Illustrate the different views, aspects and feel of dance as an expressive form using motion typography. 26
First Phase. Interview one professional dancer and one dance enthusiast. Understand what they feel about dance. Find out what it means to them as both an expressive form and personal
format and medium) 2 July
people expressed. Explore with multiple options using both type and human form. Different methods that
Continue making visuals with the chosen format
9 July
Critique and feedback
10 July
Make visuals into video format
interest. Second Phase. Illustrate what these
Critique and feedback (choose
15 July
Critique and feedback
23 July
Prefinal critique and feedback
24 July
Final revision of video
31 July
Final
can be implemented in the process could be longexposure photography, 3-d type in paper, paper craft, objects to animate. Experimentation will also include aerial photography. References to be used at this time will include famous chronophotographer EtienneJules Mare, experimental filmmaker Michael Langan and dancer Terah Maher.
Books:
Dance (Whitechapel: Documents of Contemporary Art), L.André, The MIT Press, 2012
Graphic Design: Now In Production, A.Ian, G.Rob, Walker Art Center, 2011 Videos:
Choros: A Hypnotic Short Film Featuring Single Dancer with 32 “Visual Echoes” People:
Etienne-Jules Mare Michael Langan Terah Maher
Flip & Dance Project description
Third Phase. The final step would be to
5 May
Research starts
Everything about dance has a relation to
experiment and bring out the motion
9 May
Sketching starts, explore
motion. It starts and ends with movement. The form, the steps, the expressions, the music, everything has a rhythm. The challenge of this assignment is to explore the movement of dance by using static elements.
different mediums
aspect of dance using these illustrations as the design elements.
14 May
(choose medium)
The idea is to be able use these and show movement, transform-ation and
15 May
Make illustrations using the chosen medium
the feel of dance. This will be explored using a flip book.
Critique and feedback
20 May Start exploring illustrations in flip book
Reference for this would include famous
Methodology
photographer, Eadweard James
24 May Critique and feedback
Explore the form of dance using
Muybridge.
25 May
Revision
27 May
Make more illustrations
1 June
Critique and feedback
2 June
Revision
7 June
Prefinal critique and feedback
8 June
Final revision
typography. Illustrate the form of it and using the static illustrations bring out the motion of dance. The project is divided into three important phases as milestones. First Phase. The first phase of the project
Deliverable The final design deliverable for this project will be a flip book wherein I will show the transformation of dance to typography and vice-versa.
14 June Final
will be making illustrations of a dance form of choice and the words associated with it. The illustrations will be explored using different mediums like ink, charcoal, paint, water color. At this time it would be good to take reference from books like Dirty fingernails. Second Phase. The second phase would be the step to make a decision on what medium to use for the final implementation of the project. The final illustration will then be made using the one medium that is chosen. Books:
Dance (Whitechapel: Documents of Contemporary Art), L.André, The MIT Press, 2012
Graphic Design: Now In Production, A.Ian, G.Rob, Walker Art Center, 2011 Videos:
Choros: A Hypnotic Short Film Featuring Single Dancer with 32 “Visual Echoes” People:
Etienne-Jules Mare Michael Langan Terah Maher
© Eadweard James Muybridge
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Sugar & Spice Just like how a dish is incomplete without the right amount of sugar and spice, a description of a project is incomplete without the list of the terms of glossary.
Expressive Typography
Meaning
Letterforms are physical shapes, each
The idea that is expressed in a work of
one a little work of art. Using
writing, art, etc.
these expressive shapes to convey an
Source: www. merriam-webster.com
idea visually and intellectually is expressive typography. Source: Ina Saltz
A person who communicates, especially one skilled at conveying
Emotive
information, ideas.
Characterized by or pertaining
Source: dictionary.reference.com
to emotion. Source: dictionary.reference.com
Corresponding Associated in a working or
Medium
other relationship.
The category of a work of art,
Source: dictionary.reference.com
as determined by its materials and methods of production. Source: dictionary.reference.com Communicate To express thoughts, feelings, or information easily or effectively. Source: dictionary.reference.com Convey To impart or communicate by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance. Source: www. merriam-webster.com
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Communicator
Prolific Marked by abundant inventiveness or productivity. Source: www. merriam-webster.com Organize To give organic structure or character to. Source: dictionary.reference.com
“Having limits to push against is how you find out what you can do.� Sylvie Guillem, dancer
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Š Megha Parashar, MVCD, 2014 The Design School, ASU
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