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Veronica-Gabriela Popa
Personal Portfolio student number : 21282737
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LIMITATIONS Brief
Version 1
Paradoxically, this project determined us to push our creative boundaries by imposing limitations on the materials we were allowed to use. The brief implied using only an A2, white piece of paper and a scalpel-in order to “sculpt” and contextualize a single word at our choice.
Methodology: I opted for the word “Chaos” because it created more possibilities to make a literally depiction of it. Arranging and balancing the letters, as well as choosing the right font (Modern NO.20) was easier to do by using Adobe Illustrator than the (not very precise) pencil. Thus, after many trials and errors, the best “arranged chaos” was sketched ultrathin on the paper before being cut at the chosen scale. As the intention was not to make an exact replica of the digital font, but to experiment with the paper, I used the negative and positive space in different ways to adjust the letters in order to make the composition more complex, non-repetitive and “chaotic”.
Evaluation: The paper type shows more than one way of using the cut and folding to create the letters, as well as creating adjacent shapes. The way the cut paper is placed makes it a little bit unstable when it is moved on a vertical plane, as some letters are sustained by only a few millimetres of paper. If the negative space was better planned before to actually start the cutting, the outcome might have been better structured.
(Negative type on blue paper)
2/24
LIMITATIONS Version 2
For background: • • • • • •
Blue and turquoise paper Red blanket Graphic art mug support Starbucks notebook Magazine paper Handmade paper letter object
(Experimenting with background textures made from objects)
3/24
Limitations Version 3
For background: • • • •
Blue card with ocre moon Graphic art mug support Multicoloured card Starbucks discount card
(Experimenting with background textures made from illustrated cards)
4/24
Limitations Version 4
For background: • Golden tinfoil • Images from a Zen calendar
(Experimenting with background made of calendar images and tinfoil)
5/24
Limitations Version 5
For background: • • • •
Blue card with ocre moon Graphic art mug support Multicoloured card Starbucks discount card
(Experimenting with background textures made from illustrated cards)
6/24
Limitations Version 6
For background: • Golden tinfoil • Indigo tablet pad
(Experimenting with indigo background and golden tinfoil)
7/24
Manifesto Brief
Version 1
The brief for this experiment was to create a declaration of the beliefs and objectives which we (as designers) have, similarly to the manifestos announced by many art movements and designers( and artists in general) who are making a ‘call to arms.
Methodology: As it is said that you don’t need to wait for great ideas to start, but to start to come with great ideas, I decided to first put the questions on the paper ,and so-to construct the pillars for the right answers. It was a useful strategy as it helped in making the ideas clearer and the connections easier to create. For the first question: “How do I want my style to look like?” I wrote a multitude of adjectives which I later synthesized into more general statements. The second question: “What do I want to express?” brought a bigger perspective and more questions derived from that-related to the audience I’m designing for and the value the designs are bringing to it/the world in general.
Evaluation: I think that both versions are quite interesting in terms of design. Regarding the two, different -I definitly prefer the latter because it’s more complex and motivating.
Simple statement
8/24
Manifesto Version 1
Colour variations with Multiply and Overlay transparency effects
9/24
Manifesto Version 2
More complex statement
10/24
Manifesto Version 2
Colour variations
11/24
Make ‘em laugh Brief
Version 1
This project was about creating visual puns, similar to John Ingledew’s examples, in order for us to learn adjacent ways of thinking with humor about different subjects and situations in order to find ingenious alternative methods of transmitting those ideas in a witty and comprehensive manner.
Methodology: Wanting to share my experience of reading ‘The Art of Looking Sideways’ got me google-ing for a cute pug, because I knew that pugs eyes are very expressive and would fit just right in my visual interpretation of the upper theme. Associating the variety of moods the book gave me, with the colour yellow was automatically made; along with the facts that it’s a very bright colour and it catches attention instantly( and even more by contrast with the non-colours) it it’s also very uplifting-so fun to see. But this didn’t stop me from trying other colour versions as well. Thinking of alternative ways of catching attention got me using the white arrows.
Evaluation: The outcome was better than expected, after lots of unsuccessful trials (the initial pug was black with gray), and I think that the viewers may associate their reading experience with this character despite of the possibility of a different content, because the feelings of awe and diziness shared are universal.
12/24
Make ‘em laugh Version 1
Colour variations
13/24
Make ‘em laugh Version 2 Methodology: As we were recently introduced to the main elements in typography, I wanted to make a visual pun with Comic Sans in the ‘center stage’. Thinking about how can I best illustrate this idea got me comparing his ‘character’ with his ‘older brothers’, like Garamond, Edwardian or Gill Sans, in the context of a big font family. Because Comic Sans it’s indeed very comic and people don’t take it seriously, I used the method of association and personification to make ‘him’ look innocent and adorable, despite the often harsh criticism which is making him look otherwise.
Evaluation: The intention was to make his character look loveable through his sadness, but I made his expression on the gradient in the background a bit dramatic (without realizing it at first). So I then rethought this idea and made it ‘brighter’. Overall, these two images are not incredibly laughable, but I think that they stir up a type of simpathy, or hopefully, smiles.
Comic Puns
14/24
Make ‘em laugh Version 3 Methodology: Giving an alternative and unexpected interpretation to an old painting by making it relate to our modern ‘problems’ was the methodology used for this visual pun. Edvard Munch’s well-known ‘Scream’ was a choice that I made based on the character’s expressiveness, which can be easily interpreted (depending on the context). As some of the most pressing ‘first world problems’ at the moment among teens and young adults are related to an extreme preocupation for technology, I wanted to give a twist to the expressionist painting by adding one of those ‘precious’ devices in the bacground.
Evaluation: The image hits the target, I think, so I am quite pleased with how this version turned out, although the upper white text is not so legible on the coluourful sky.
‘The screaaaaaam’
15/24
What else can I do with this? Brief
Version 1
The purpose of this project was to find alternative roles and functions for different objects-other than what we usually use them for, similar to the ‘flamingo mallet and the hedgedog ball’ from L. Carol’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Methodology: While looking for inspiration on my Pinterest Art & Sculpture page, I encountered this feminine bronze sculpture which got me thinking on how women in our society are feeling for being labeled and always pressured to fit certain standards. Thinking about literally versions of ‘putting someone in a box’ got me to this can, which fulfills this project’s purpose-to reinvent an objects’ role. Thus, the mass produced labeled became a metaphorial cage for the modern woman.
Evaluation: The two objects - the woman and the can are fitting perfectly together, but the clearer version (of their message) is the one where both are placed in the middle, surrounded by explicit images and messages, showing an utopic reality and its denial.
‘Don’t buy into this stereotype’
16/24
What else can I do with this? Development
The concept in different stages
17/24
What else can I do with this? Version 2
‘All going in the same direction’
18/24
What else can I do with this? Development Methodology: This digital collage is a reflection of my readings on Buddhism; but as compared to the old/ancient nature of that knowledge, the ‘specific’ elements of this religion are placed in a more contemporary context (the Fifth Avenue Street in New York) in order to make it more accessible to the viewer and be seen from an universal perspective: the message is not limited by time or space. Limitation to a set of ideas and beliefs, along with the reinterpretation of signs (‘semiotics’-to give a symbolic meaning to the image) were the methodologies used in this situation.
Evaluation: The contemporary photo that I chose it’s better than what I was expecting to find, allowing me to improvise by using the senses and external stimuli to visually portray the abstract idea I was thinking of. I think that the question is provocative as it attracts and puts the viewer in a meditative and nostalgic state. The method that I used made me addapt my expectation and use what I had on my disposal to send a message through the visual medium.
Previous stage
19/24
What else can I do with this? Version 3 Methodology: Thinking about Jared Leto’s Mr. Nobody young character got me searching for vintage photos with children that I could edit to express the mind state in the beginning of the movie corelated with the idea of how and why we are being brought into existence-reason why my second element is a galaxy.
Evaluation: The contemporary photo that I chose it’s better than what I was expecting to find, allowing me to improvise by using the senses and external stimuli to visually portray the abstract idea I was thinking of. I think that the question is provocative as it attracts and puts the viewer in a meditative and nostalgic state, while reflecting on existential questions. The method that I used made me addapt my expectation and use what I had on my disposal to send a message through the visual medium.
Final version
20/24
What else can I do with this? Development
Type variations
21/24
Infographics
Digital sketches
22/24
Infographics Brief The purpose of this project was to make an infographic based on a collection of our own.
Methodology: The process of making this info-graphic was challenging not from a conceptual point of view, but from an aesthetic one. I knew from the beginning what direction I was heading, as I had just to make a simple choice between illustrating my favourite list of books or movies. My methodology was to try and see what works best and is harmonious overall and eliminate/change the rest.
Evaluation: I considered laying down the actual composition the most difficult and challenging part because I wanted to fit so much information and also illustrate his characters. I came to the conclusion that only one version of him is enough, so I ended up with a main sketch which I used as a template for the entire movie list.
Keanu Reeves Movie Infographic
23/24
Overall Evaluation Every task was a new opportunity for me to experiment with different topics, different ideas and to see the world with a different pair of eyes. Making these projects challenged my imagination, but also my patience, because coming up with good ideas it’s a long process with lots of trials and errors, as there is no easy or straight path leading to the correct answer. There is indeed a lot of freedom allowed and a strong need for looking at things with a fresh eye, constantly trying not to fall into stereotypes or repeat yourself. It is both a matter of listening to your intuition and respecting the brief. I found out that the art of perfecting any project resides in coming up with more than one idea, and courageously bringing all the variations into reality, through sketches of all kinds. It is very important to be able to see when something is not going in the right direction, to know when to stop and start over again. So, I may say that perseverance and patience are essential qualities in this alchemical process of designing. Overall, I am quite pleased of my final outcomes. Making these projects was a pretty sinuous process, but a fun one too!