Rhea Gaughan Studio Practice Methods of Madness
Biography; Laurie Anderson
Research method 1:
Research method 2:
Studio Practice; Methods of Madness
Research method 3:
I thought it would be useful to customise this brief in order to discover where I could work differently to enhance my working process in the future. I have realised that year 2 has sped up considerably (in comparison to last year) and that I tend to dwell in research, leaving me with an unbalanced working process. I did not choose considerably different research methods but altered the way in which I view them – using them in a different way that will be more effective and leaving me with more time to complete the next part of the brief… Research method 1: To type the name into Google but instead of opening up any results I timed myself 30 seconds to collect only 5/6 keyword or findings within each website blurb using ONLY the search result page. Timing myself worked really well and considerably sped up researching. http://rheacharlotte.gdnm.org/files/2011/12/http-makeagif.com-media-12-05-2011-CPNESi1.gif Research method 2: My intentions next was to find visual research: CD covers under Laurie Anderson but this failed as several stores didn’t have any of her CD’s on the shelf. So, my back up plan was to go to the library and find books under Laurie Anderson and collect the imagery of each book cover and see if this increased my understandings of her. This gave me an instant snapshot of who Anderson was by the title, image/s, style, genre of design. I didn’t look beyond the covers – It was an insight seeing how much a book cover communicates its contents. http://rheacharlotte.gdnm.org/files/2011/12/http-makeagif.com-media-12-05-2011-PurZgI.gif Research method 3: As I have discovered that Laurie Anderson is a musician, I have as a third method, used Youtube. I have captured stills from every minute or so from “O Superman”. I think this in itself tells you alot about the genre and time of Andersons work. http://rheacharlotte.gdnm.org/files/2011/12/http-makeagif.com-media-12-05-2011-10R5LA1.gif Outcome: I chose to present my research methods using screenshots and photographs and turning them into GIF files. It is a fast, low-tech and convenient way of presenting what I have found – keeping it short, sharp and to the point. I felt that a more sophisticated method of presenting would contradict the idea of ‘research’ - a ‘on-going’, and ‘pliable’ point within the design process that should not take the form of a publication. The project has allowed me to see how quickly I am able to research and find a considerable amount out about it. I found that this brief has allowed me to see where my time disappears and correct this by testing out time-limitation.
Shooting Stars; The London Riots
This brief taught be how to put a simple video together in Quicktime. I have previously produced performance for video previously which I enjoyed but was always reluctant to putting the footage together. I particularly thought that the workshop which allowed us to experiment loosely with different techniques and then process this into a film helped alot. Video workshop results 1 & 2 shows experimentation using shadow and found objects.
Workshop result 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAgISt7SMws&context=C24efdADOEgsToPDskKg5pNvGcCQ3Sc1G6 exmm6W Workshop result 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyNwHtnGij8&feature=youtu.be 1-Minute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke3fKj-Fyzw&context=C2f137ADOEgsToPDskIhPhrEEKP8GPklDQDHim OE
Workshop result 1:
Workshop result 2:
Studio Practice; Methods of Madness
1-Minute video:
My 1-minute video is a snapshot of the events that occurred which probes and presents questioning by the viewer. It takes a neutral stance and is purely a reflection; I wanted the viewer to digest the information and make their own judgment. The video is made up of short, sharp clips that I felt reflected the medias presentation of the events as they unravelled. The video is furious and abrupt with short and sharp sound including the speech by David Cameron which I thought juxtaposed the visuals perfectly.The video also includes images of the Broadwater Farm Riots in 1985, this was rhetorically asking if our society has changed since then. Although I have learnt alot from this brief I still lack technicality within video, specifically, sound. The video, when uploaded did not play the sound I intended it to play (and cannot understand why, sorry).
Paper Co. Student Brief; Hendersons Global Investors
Laura and myself started by researching other direct mail pieces (top images) - this allowed us to gather an understanding and realise the scope that ‘direct mail’ entailed. We progressed through making mock-ups, this was a quick and efficient way of idea generation (two far right images).
Studio Practice; Methods of Madness
I think we worked well as a team, pulling all our knowledge together and producing a ‘tumble’ of ideas as a starting point, which then we could define further. It was challenging trying to get a balance of time, quantity and quality but I feel overall, that our direct mail piece fulfilled the brief and was very rewarding. Presentation: The presentation to Hendersons was the most nerve-racking thing I have done. However, it was an aspect of the brief that without it, would not of furthered our idea. It was essential in testing and strengthening our idea as well as challenging our presentational skills.
Paper Co. Student Brief; Hendersons Global Investors
Hendersons Global Investers: -Strong growth potential -Proactive approach -Working together -Dedicated -Collaborative -Sustainable -Pioneering
For our design we decided to start with a shape. The Hexagon came to mind because of its significance as a part of nature. After looking into it deeper we found that it had a variety of meanings; symbolising communication, interfacing, balance and union and it also connotes the image of a beehive and the hardworking ethic of bees. Using this idea we looked further into bees and found that all of our research was linking together. The co-operative, efficient community that bees have is what we were trying to get across in our brand values for Hendersons. This diagram of information is at the centre of our concept, everything we have produced from brand values to the envelope is linked to this diagram.
Hexagon -Shape -Comm -Inte -Ba -U -Bees/
Meanin -Eq -Inte -Perf -Rel -Depe
Symbolism: e of nature munication erfacing alance Union / Beehive
ng of Six: quality egration fection liability endability
Studio Practice; Methods of Madness
Bees: -Co-operative -Hard-working -Efficient -Community -Build -Interconnect
Paper Co. Student Brief; Hendersons Global Investors
Studio Practice; Methods of Madness
We feel that we have made the best efforts to fulfil the brief, prioritising the communication of the company values with intentions of introducing new customers to Hendersons through a high quality, creative, print based direct mail piece. Our design utilises the ‘touchy, feely’ aspects of paper to engage the senses’ through techniques such as debossing as well as employing traditional binding techniques. Environmental credentials was a key element of the brief, this has been achieved by examining and deciphering what is most important, forming hierarchy of type which allowed us to lower ink usage. Choosing to stitch bind and utilise the characteristics of paper such as bending and cutting and acquiring techniques such as debossing have encouraged environmental ethics to be applied to our design.
Studio Evaluation & Bibliography
Studio Evaluation: Second year has considerably sped up in comparison to first year, as expected. However, the shock and realisation that everything is moving quicker has proven that I need to use my time and resources more wisely - while I can. One problem, if any, is that I need to organise my time better; I have always been pretty good at juggling work but this semester something didn’t work quite right. In one aspect of fulfilling time management, I have learnt how to apply time-limitations, for example, when researching. The Biography brief allowed me to test time limitation methods out which I feel will be applied throughout second semester; this demonstrated that I work better under the pressure of a limitation - maybe this would be wise to think about using this method within other aspects of my working practice too. A definite improvement this semester has been my presentational skills; something has clicked, I can now confidently talk about my work. Presenting to Hendersons and Paper Co tested and challenged by presentational skills and has put things into prospective; presenting to our peers and tutors is an opportunity to probe work and a door to improvement - this is a very valuable thing that I have always appreciated but even more so now. The opportunity to produce work for a client was an eye-opening and pressurising time. I found this brief the most testing as working with others closely is not my strongest point, however, I think that it has positively enhanced my ‘collaborative’ outlook. It was satisfying seeing how much work can be produced within two weeks, which again relates back to why I will be using time-limitations from now on. I feel Laura and myself fulfilled the brief to the best of our abilities; we both felt the stresses and strains of keeping the balance throughout but overall I feel that the outcome was successful. Next semester I would like to plan my weeks out (using iCal), this will not only present me with upcoming tasks but also, more importantly, with a visual that I can keep referring back to. Using post-it notes, I propose that I will apply time limitations everyday, task-by-task, evidencing this by placing them into my sketchbook. Furthermore, I would like to use my sketchbooks more effectively next semester; I seem to have slipped out of using them, which may be evidence of my natural working practice but it may help with time management and memory-jogging if I use them more efficiently. I have noticed that, now I have acquired a voice recorder for contextual studies, that it would be a good idea to start recording critiques, debates, class discussions, briefings and presentation - to increase the foundation on which improvements could be made.
Studio Practice; Methods of Madness
Bibliography: Books: Jameson, Fredric (1998) Fredric Jameson The Cultural Turn Selected Writings on the Postmodern, 1983-1998. Verso Heller, Steven (1994) Looking Closer, Critical Writings on Graphic Design. Allworth Press. Storey, John (2006) Cultural Theory and Popular Culture An Introduction. 4th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Poynor, Rick (2003) No More Rules Graphic Design and Postmodernism. Laurence King Publishing Ltd. Eskilson, Stephen J. (2007) Graphic Design A New History. Laurence King Publishing. *’Laurie Anderson,Trisha Brown, Gordon Matta-Clark : pioneers of the downtown scene New York 1970s’ *’Talking music : conversations with John Cage, Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, and five generations of American experimental composers’ *’Night Life’ *’Laurie Anderson, works from 1969 to 1983 : October 15-December 4, 1983, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania’ *Unable to list correctly as books are currently occupied. Exhibitions: Postmodernism, Style and Subversion 1970-1990 (2011) Postmodernism, Style and Subversion 1970-1990. V&A Museum. 24/09/2011-15/01/2011 Alan Fletcher. (2011) Alan Fletcher’s Art of Looking Sideways. Kemistry Gallery. http://kemistrygallery.co.uk/ shows/2011/mind-over-matter-alan-fletchers-the-art-of-looking-sideways. (12.12.11)
Rhea Gaughan Independent Practice Interrogation
Waste
Proposal: I plan to investigate and explore the subject and notion of ‘waste’, consumerism and consumption. I have previously examined and responded to this subject area and I feel it is the most engaging and compulsive topic that is rich in substance. These questions are my starting point and core for growth: Does ‘waste’ actually exist? What is it? Is the dictionary definition of waste fitting? Is there a criteria for waste? Why do companies supersede products that are only months old? Why, as a society do we accept this, or do we? How as a designer do our own beliefs and ethics come into play? Is there a line we cross, is ‘any’ brief fit for us as designers to work on? I want to explore and unpack the connotations of waste in all its manifestations while probing our preconceptions and notions of consumerism and consumption. I will produce a body of work ranging from observation, documentation, site visits and indepth research. I aim to respond throughout, possibly through a variety of mediums such as film, photography, sculpture and installation as well as push my interests of the manifesto further. I will be looking into artists and designers from the postmodernist era taking particular notice of movements such as Fluxus and Dadaism, who rejected the art market and the bourgeois and instead believed in anti-commercialism and anti-art. I will also continue looking closer into Ken Garlands ‘First Things First’ manifesto and would like to push the potential of my own manifesto written for the LAB 2011, externalised at The Rag Factory. I am keen to produce work that is accessible to everyone but would like to experiment and explore the sensitivities of materials and resourcefulness when it comes to externalisation. I would like to experiment with the environment and site-specific work; taking an organic stance. I would like to experience the role as a curator, bringing creatives together to form a wider narrative and context to my work as equally to theirs.
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Waste
A significant part of my independent practice was watching Ted Talks by Graham Hill, Rob Hopkins and Barry Schwartz. I felt it was a necessity to understand and become familiar with others viewpoints. Themes that were interesting were choice, possession, categorisation, simplification and commodification. Barry Schwartz; ‘The paradox of choice’ Graham Hill; ‘Less stuff, more happiness’ Rob Hopkins; ‘Transition to a world without oil’ The idea of choice; we (the western world) having so much choice we don’t know what to do with it or how to control it. Everything has become a commodity, about ‘stuff’, about owning ‘Stuff’ maybe its the things that clog up our lives, maybe its the things that make us happy or maybe its the things that stop us seeing what is real. The process of buying is quite interesting, when we say ‘I need to buy…’ is it more than just about owning something, is it about the experience, the feeling when buying ‘stuff’, is it an addiction…(?) The disposing of money for a product that is more than likely going to be obsolete in months or even weeks. Why do companies that have already, in advance, produced the products that are going to outdate the products that they have just released (we all know what company Im talking about…). The talks were a great starting point to get the ball rolling and questions flying. To embrace others viewpoints, I think, is crucial in producing informed and appropriate work.
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Waste
Independent Practice; Interrogation
These photographs mark the time within this project when questions were still unravelling. Classification and categorisation are themes that these photographs are touching on. In my practice I tend to relate back to the dictionary and thesaurus alot for clarification and adding breadth to my work. Here the definition of ‘waste’ have been broken down into several labels and stuck onto stereotypical pieces of waste. The labels are blunt and have a likeness to a price tag – classifying it – putting a price on it – stereotyping it. However, I think the labels pose questions to the viewer, allowing questioning - is there any juxtapose between the object and the label? Maybe the objects do not have any further purpose as they are physically now, but the action of me allowing you to look at both object and label together is significant - generalising waste, allowing you to evaluate your own consumption, ‘Do you throw any ‘rubbish’ away?’
Waste
I think this ‘waste object’ & label could be asking something much more significant; how we control and use our money? Money as an ‘object’ is something I would like to question further; a belief system that we all believe, that we all live by, something so huge and powerful but to touch is so fragile.
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Exploration
I like to extract things that I have found and add to them by overlaying, cutting, drawing and adjusting composition.These ‘explorations’ do not have a meaning which for me is a hard thing to admit, as I like my work to have a meaning and context but I also feel it is important to have times not to be analytical and just PLAY. It has taken me years to understand this and nurture a ‘non-structured’ aspect of my working practice. Here are a few examples...
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Exploration
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Exhibition
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Exhibition
An opportunity to produce work in a one-day-time-frame that took the format of an exhibition. I didn’t have an idea that I was 100% confident with so I chose, instead, to pick a space and then produce an idea ‘site’ specifically. The room started taking shape with boards going up, paper coming down, people taking their spaces; one space that took my focus was the area between two ply boards. My concept was to explore the space around you, becoming aware of distance and time through holding a pen at waist height and walk down the tunnel with either a long distance or shuffle step. The results were lots of varied mark-making. Others and myself thought that it was a fun way to use a space. In the future, if I dont have a solid idea, I would definitely think differently about idea generation, as I did here by choosing the space first then concept to follow.
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Handmade & Bound
Independent Practice; Interrogation
I submitted a book into Handmade & Bound that I had developed and produced in a first year project called ‘A Book about a Book’. The book is an exploration of text and structure and the process of how we read. The book is called ‘Replace’ replacing, adding and subtracting structure, text and punctuation. In the future I need to make sure that my working practice involves more of my enjoyment in handmade crafts. I would like to produce an Etsy account which would fuel the potential of my work beyond the production stage. It was a fun event to be involved in and has made me think about the future and context of which I place my work in.
LAB Week
Independent Practice; Interrogation
LAB Week
The Girls: We were asked in groups to produce a photographic portrait that represented us as a group. Our group was formed by Abi, Gemma, Laura and myself ; we connect well together through being friends originally and now we wanted to allow this to channel into our work.We thought about our qualities as a group – we know each other pretty well.The idea of our sense of humour, playfulness and ‘boyish’ ways were key and had to be at the core of our concept – placing ourselves at the very extreme of all our characters and becoming men for our portrait was appealing. We thought about props, make-up, stance, gesture and location as well as looking closer at artists such as Sarah Lucas and Cindy Sherman. After this initial portrait we stayed in costume and character and took the camera up to the Rugby ground where we posed in the dark. Although our idea initially sounded comical, we realised that it was definitely making a big statement that we would like to develop further. The day was very informative and helpful, my evaluation will discuss this in more detail.
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Mary Ikoniadou: We were asked to re-produce an issue of ‘Making Do’ named ‘Translation’, using the original publication as a starting point; we were encouraged to think about form, structure, collaboration, production as well as content. As a group we produced a series of 5 postcards that represented 5 areas of the original publications content.The purpose of utilising the postcard was that it is a form of transportation of communication, a means to translate a visual experience into a written form.
Independent Practice & Bibliography
Independent Practice Evaluation: I feel my independent practice has been of a coherent progression this semester. I have responded and expanded my knowledge around the subject of waste through taking results and disseminating them through installation as well as watching documentaries such as Gasland, Food.inc, Wasteland and Ted talks to contextualise my work. Presenting to first year was a highlight of the semester as my topic raised an interesting discussion and debate about the monetary system and peoples morals and ethics towards there own consumption. It was rewarding to talk about something that I am passionate about and, only through presenting, have I realised that others share this interest too. Next semester I will make sure that I voice record all presentation so that I am able to listen back and improve my communication even further. The expectation of weekly progression, shown every friday, has proven that I need to speed up my working process in able to keep on top of all aspects of my practice. I have struggled to keep the morale high and motivation strong this semester; I feel this is due to ‘settling-down’ to a specific idea and becoming too comfortable and ‘safe’, which is why I need to keep the pace steady throughout all briefs. I propose (along with the other proposals I have mentioned in my studio practice evaluation), that I create a system where I spend an equal amount of time on every brief, for example, Mondays dedicated to studio practice or maybe I alternate projects everyday which will keep the pace sharp and snappy (?). This term I have taken part in Handmade & Bound, which was a fun experience and is evidence that I would like too take part in more art fairs in the future. The event made it clear that I do not make enough work that involves my interests in craft - In the future I need to make sure that my working practice involves more of my enjoyment in handmade crafts; to encourage the work that I produce within the studio and independently to naturally form a path to a wider context such as art and craft fairs. I would like to produce an Etsy account which would fuel the potential of my work beyond the production stage. It was a fun event to be involved in and has made me think about the future and context of which I place my work in. Next semester I would like to work externally with other creatives; to get in contact with people and start finding other grounds outside of university that will reap benefits such as work placements, collaborations with other independent creatives; generally just getting to know people outside of university.
Independent Practice; Interrogation
Bibliography: Books: Jameson, Fredric (1998) Fredric Jameson The Cultural Turn Selected Writings on the Postmodern, 1983-1998. Verso Heller, Steven (1994) Looking Closer, Critical Writings on Graphic Design. Allworth Press. Storey, John (2006) Cultural Theory and Popular Culture An Introduction. 4th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Poynor, Rick (2003) No More Rules Graphic Design and Postmodernism. Laurence King Publishing Ltd. Eskilson, Stephen J. (2007) Graphic Design A New History. Laurence King Publishing. Exhibitions: Postmodernism, Style and Subversion 1970-1990 (2011) Postmodernism, Style and Subversion 1970-1990. V&A Museum. 24/09/2011-15/01/2011 Alan Fletcher. (2011) Alan Fletcher’s Art of Looking Sideways. Kemistry Gallery. http://kemistrygallery.co.uk/ shows/2011/mind-over-matter-alan-fletchers-the-art-of-looking-sideways. (12.12.11) Websites: TedTalks (2011) Barry Schwartz on the paradox of choice. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/barry_ schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html (12.12.11) TedTalks (2011) Graham Hill: Less stuff, more hapiness. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/graham_hill_ less_stuff_more_happiness.html (12/12/11) TedTalks (2011) Rob Hopkins: Transitions to a world without oil. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/rob_ hopkins_transition_to_a_world_without_oil.html (12/12/11)
LAB Week Evaluation
LAB Week: Monday: The talk was led by Zoe Sinclair, one half of The Girls; a collaboration which explores identity and character using photography as the medium. Zoe spoke about their rigorous working methods, processes and commissions as well as advice about the ‘real world’. It was refreshing to hear about the lows as well as the highs while working within the creative sector; the stresses and struggles of working closely with others which can become intense and sometimes testing, as too, completing university and facing the ‘real’ world for the first time is equally testing. Her talk reinforced my worry of third year approaching, thrusting me into realisation that I should be using my recourses as a ‘student’ efficiently, while I can. Zoe told us five things she felt were necessary to go out into the world with: some kind of web presence, confidence to self publicise, self initiation, the tool of borrowing and the importance of ‘chance possibilities’ (to go out, find out, probe and see what comes of it – you have nothing to lose). Their work explores themes such as feminism, death, s and juxtaposition.Viewing the work allowed me to appreciate what power and impact a photograph can possess; whereas I mainly use it as a tool for documentation I felt the intense urge to get playing with the idea of the ‘portrait’. The day continued with a workshop. We were asked in groups to produce a photographic portrait that represented us as a group. Our group was formed by Abi, Gemma, Laura and myself ; we connect well together through being friends originally and now we wanted to allow this to channel into our work. We thought about our qualities as a group – we know each other pretty well.The idea of our sense of humour, playfulness and ‘boyish’ ways were key and had to be at the core of our concept – placing ourselves at the very extreme of all our characters and becoming men for our portrait was appealing. We thought about props, make-up, stance, gesture and location as well as looking closer at artists such as Sarah Lucas and Cindy Sherman. Although our idea initially sounded comical, we realised that it was definitely making a big statement that, as a group, would like to develop further. Tuesday: Mary spoke mainly about the project she is involved in, the collaboration between three designers and one artist which call themselves ‘Making Do’.Their manifesto and core belief is to ‘deal with what you have, not with what you don’t’ – ‘Making Do’ is a platform for lots of things such as music, fine art, philosophy and debate. The publication is driven by content and not just by aesthetic; it challenges authorship from the perspective of a designer. I found her talk relevant and motivational; Mary mentioned Ken Garland and his First Things First manifesto which has played a significant part within my work since I discovered him during my first year, and as a result, I feel it will always have relevance within my practice. She urged the importance to have a manifesto, a statement of intent, a direction within our practice – or to unearth this idea if we hadn’t already, as it would shed great enlightenment on our discipline.The talk was driven by the idea of constantly questioning (your/my) work; what is it about? Who is it for? Why? The talk was followed by a workshop where we were asked to re-produce an issue of ‘Making Do’ named ‘Translation’. We were to use the original publication as a starting point and encouraged to think about form, structure, collaboration, production as well as content. As a group we produced a series of 5 postcards that represented 5 areas of the original publications content. The purpose of utilising the postcard was that it is a form of transportation of communication, a means to translate a visual experience into a written form. The staff led LAB this semester was productive and worthwhile. I felt that Mondays’ and Tuesdays’ talks and workshops were the most motivational, however I noted down some ideas that were triggered by other talks. Roderick Mills spoke about how Brighton University students have organised their own bank account which threads into the work they produce. I think this would be a great proposal to UCA Graphic Design students; it would encourage work to be produced, to organise book and art fairs in order to raise money - a platform which our degree show could be enriched by.
Independent Practice; Interrogation