Graphic Design
Vienca Chan
02/06/2013
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY CHANGED GRAPHIC DESIGN? As
technology
speed,
we
constantly
shouldn't
be
changing surprised
at that
a
mind-blowing
graphic
design
evolves right along with it. In the past twenty years, our world has changed significantly with the increased dependence on technology such as computers, Internet and machineries, etc., not only in the creative industry but also in other working fields as well. Graphic design has been growing and changing throughout the years, often redefining the definition of form and functionality while it
does
so.
A
variety
of
ways
are
used
to
form
and
generate words, images and symbols in order to construct a
visual
representation
of
messages
communicating
primarily through the form of posters, cover designs, logos, signs and editorials. However, although previous designers have influenced much of today’s contemporary designs, it is the change in technology that has truly transformed the method of designing. I'll explore the influence of technology on graphic design, learning the reasons for the rapid development, and take a look at how designers are continually coming up with new ways to blow our minds which will provide a further understanding of how various methods within Graphic Design has changed
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Graphic Design
Vienca Chan
over
the
Graphic
design
02/06/2013
period
is
a
of
creative
process.
time.
Historically,
graphic designers have relied on different professionals from outside skills to handle technical aspects of design such as typesetters and printer. The designers used to only need to develop concept ideas, seek approval from the clients and gather the finished art to complete the piece. The relationship between designers, typesetters, paper suppliers, and printers back in the days was almost limited. Once computer has developed, it has changed the whole
routine
invention
of
path the
for
the
Internet
industry has
completely.
created
a
new
The
medium
requirement for online web designs and the multimedia industries,
which
has
turned
to
more
advanced
design
elements. Looking at conspicuous graphic designers and artists
will
get
an
insight
to
how
each
graphic
designer’s individual style has been produced by various processes
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with
the
influences
of
technology.
Graphic Design
Woodblock
Vienca Chan
printing
is
one
of
02/06/2013
the
oldest
methods
of
printing which is a technique for printing texts, images and patterns. It is originated in China and the method of inking the blocks and creating a series of prints was an all embracing process which was difficult, time consuming and
cost
effective
to
produce
the
highest
quality
outcomes. However, it offered a way to mass production with the use of the same block of wood. Additionally, the changing use of color developed, yet the process still remained extensive as the need for multiple blocks were used,
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each
block
for
one
color.
Graphic Design
Vienca Chan
02/06/2013
During the letterpress era, moveable type was composed by hand for each page, with all letters having exactly the same height to form an even surface of type. This was then mounted in a press, inked, and the outcome was an impression made on paper. The process varied for each page as the information and headings differed, making the process press
intricately is
invention
widely
time
consuming.
regarded
that
has
as
Yet,
the
revolutionized
the
most
printing
influential
the
methods
of
printing. Mira
Schendel
is
one
of
the
most
substantial
and
influential Brazilian artists in the twentieth century. Her
works
contain
elements
of
Lettrism,
Colour
Field
painting, and early conceptual art. After her death, an entire
room
of
her
works
was
featured
on
the
22nd
International São Paulo Biennale and, in 2009; the Museum of Modern Art from New York has dedicated a retrospective exhibition to Mira Schendel and León Ferrari. Her artworks address “language” as a main visual subject matter,
which
is
the
visual
body
of
language,
the
personification of voices in words and gestures, and the language as a metaphor of the knowing aspect of the human presence through the expression of branding and writing, etc.
She
produced
her
works
in
the
countries
near
Argentina and Brazil throughout the 1960s and 1980s, when the
question
of
language
was
particularly
central
to
Western culture due to the central role taken by poststructuralism, semiotics, and the philosophy of language. Her drawings, sculptures, and paintings are contemporary with the birth of Conceptualism. With the ‘Monotypes’, she combines together language and the mark-making act in such a way to create fantastic poems, whose subjects are their own inexpressible tones and deliberate limitations.
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Graphic Design
Vienca Chan
02/06/2013
These are some of the artworks example by Mira.
In addition to the technological availability of fonts, it is also clear that the printing process within graphic design has considerably changed. An example of a piece of work that involves layering of acrylic sheets to create a sense of perspective is the ‘Objetos Graficos’, (1972) (left) by Mira Schendel. The visual nature of this piece allows the viewers to foresee varies layers merged into one that creates an illusion and add wow factor to the space and dimension. The letters act as symbols without mention to specific words or objects. The approach in which
the
outcome
was
produced,
have
used
layers
of
cement letterings to manually create a swirling vortex of alphabets. However, looking at processes of print making, it is clear that this piece of work could have been produced using various techniques such as ‘letterpress printing’.
Moreover,
the
restriction
of
creating
a
composition that isn’t in the format of a column would have restricted the process. Similarly, the outcome could also
be
produced
using
programs
such
as
‘Adobe
Photoshop’, which allows the users to manipulate and move letterings
as
‘transparency’
5
desired. and
It
‘opacity’,
also
has
which
the
will
option
of
automatically
Graphic Design
Vienca Chan
02/06/2013
create the illusion of space between each letters, which is present in Mira Schendel’s work. Today, the printing business has evolved into a multi-million pound industry that uses the latest technologies, such as 3D printing, full col- our printing and large format printing. Technology indeed changed everything -- from the tools of the trade that included India ink, paintbrushes, rubber cement, thinner, drafting tools, T-squares, pica rules and slide rules, to the extensive and expensive logistics of getting a project to the client for approval, etc. which is more complex and efficient. The introduction of the computer to the design world has revolutionized the way graphic designers process ideas into the finished products we see on billboards, movies, fliers, magazines, and especially in websites. Graphic
design
first
began
to
take
off
in
the
1990s
Internet-Era; there wasn't a lot of divergence from the first designs. People tended to use a lot of the same techniques to create quite a bit of similar content in the design ideas. Gradually, people began to deviate from the technique and began to create content in new and exciting ways because there isn’t any limitations now. Moreover,
technology
has
diverged
out
which
offers
designers hundreds of programs to choose from, there are almost as many methods of graphic design as there are graphic designers. Also, nowadays we have more powerful, faster computers and Internet; the graphics are expecting to be higher quality than in the 80s. We as audiences consider the graphics now to be more colorful, have higher resolutions, and more detailed designs within because our computers and software can handle these graphics whereas even as little as five years ago, the graphics presented within the context are not as vibrant, complex and detailed as now.
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Graphic Design
Paul
Vienca Chan
Smith
is
manipulation
a
to
photographer transform
his
02/06/2013
that
uses
images.
the
His
tool
images
of are
significant, as the illustrations tell a story using a basic
method.
By
using
a
single
character
he
distinguishes their persona and embodies their actions within
a
single
photo.
The
process
involves
taking
pictures of the same character in different positions then combining them together. However, due to the fact that
these
software’s’
like
Photoshop
allow
photo
manipulation to be so effortless and takes the unique quality out of the outcomes since anyone can produce the same style prints easily. Whereas if the technique of producing this outcome was considered half a century ago, then the idea would be much more exclusive as well as technical.
The
process
involved
would
be
much
more
extensive and difficult, especially to achieve that level of quality. Moreover, the process wouldn’t be digitally based back then, as the photos would have to be precisely cut and collaged to form the scene of duplicates. In
relation
to
my
own
work,
I
feel
that
there
are
influences present in my works appeared from Paul Smith’s pieces. Referring to him as one of my artists I have created a series of ‘narrative’ scenes that correspond to
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Graphic Design
Vienca Chan
02/06/2013
audiences by applying the fundamental features presented in his style. I’ve also used the process of capturing a scene involving the same character then manipulated the images
to
create
technological
a
graphical
equipment,
it
outcome.
was
In
easily
regards
to
obtainable
to
capture high quality images as well as editing the images via
using
software
like
Photoshop
and
Illustrator.
(My visual response to Paul Smith Image) As
with
the
increased
use
of
graphic
designers
using
software’s to manipulate their work, Echo Chernik relies heavily on these programs to produce an even combination between vector shapes, Photoshop brushes and photographic elements.
Echo
Chernik
is
an
internationally
award-
winning illustrator, specializing in art nouveau posters, advertising illustration, interior book and book cover, editorial, packaging and logo design.
Looking
at
her
illustration
advertisement
above,
it
clearly shows the amount of details and thoughts gone into the composition and structure of each element in that particular piece of hers. Another strong aspect to consider is the transformation of how technology has aloud us to visualize pieces of art
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Graphic Design
Vienca Chan
02/06/2013
and graphics. The introduction of the Internet has aloud many users to create their personal websites and blogs. Ultimately allowing them to expose her artworks for thousands of other designers to see. Furthermore, people can also comment and react to the designs immediately, allowing contacts and feedback to emerge. Additionally, the improvement in technology is equipped with numerous techniques that allow users and designers to take shortcuts within their approach. Hence, having a greater ability to organize, where as without technology the logistics of proceeding with these tasks physically would be extremely time consuming and complicated. Furthermore,
with
the
amount
of
reorganization
that
artists and designers are getting via the Internet, it is a
wider
aspect
to
consider.
Significantly,
art
exhibitions and galleries are a way to promote and allow new customers to view and understand different pieces of work at first hand. However, due to the fact that these galleries are only available to those who live within that area restricts many lead to thousands of visitors from
attended.
creating
Therefore,
websites
to
with
promote
the and
rise
in
exhibit
companies the
works
online, allows thousands of people from around the world to participate through the use of technology. In spite of this, the images provided on the Internet are just second hand images, based on someone else’s interpretation of the work. The impact of viewing works in first hand, dramatically changes the experience and visualization of the initial work displayed in an exhibit. With
the
increased
amount
of
graphic
designers
using
software’s to produce various outcomes, it is clear that technology is one of the biggest and crucial changes that has shaped and developed graphic design. Evaluating the works of my artists and their style of design clearly creates
a
link
between
the
outcome
and
the
processes
used. For example the works of conceptual artists Mira
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Graphic Design
Schendel
Vienca Chan
is
formed
using
02/06/2013
process
that
are
manually
labored, showcasing that the advantages of technology was not available at that period of time. Moreover, with the rise in computer software’s like company ‘Adobe’, many artists and designers have begun to heavily rely on these programs to produce intricately detailed outcomes. Paul M. Smith and Echo Chernik are clear examples of artists that
use
photo
manipulation
and
vector
based
object
within their work. Furthermore with the advancement in technology, many users have begun to use the Internet to promote and create awareness of their work, making it a source for viewers to communicate to the world. Overall, technology has developed and shaped the graphic design industry, visually, mentally and physically. I’ve
concluded
that
the
world
of
design
has
changed
radically over the past years. The process of design has transformed
because
of
computer
software
and
the
extinction of industries, which artists used to rely on for the full production of print design. Communication has become 8simpler that graphics designers can now work with nearly anyone in the world to help run a graphic design
business.
Websites
provide
collaborative
networking, and email puts delivery of the designs only seconds
for
client
approval.
The
ability
to
post
and
share work publicly with the world has also posed a risk of
creative
stagnation,
but
once
a
designer
can
work
through all of the differences between now and ten to twenty
years
aspirations
10
of
ago, a
I
think
graphic
one
designer
will have
see not
that
the
changed.
Graphic Design
Vienca Chan
02/06/2013
BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.dangaleria.com.br/?lang=en&page=artists&func=bio&id=3550 https://www.google.com/search?q=Echo+Chernik&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isc h&sa=X&ei=6kqVUYjfHYSY0QX1uIGgBA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1098&bih=49 6#safe=off&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=echo+chernik+illustration&oq=Echo+Chernik+&gs_ l=img.3.1.0i24l5.1313245.1313245.0.1315868.1.1.0.0.0.0.107.107.0j1.1.0...0.0...1c.1.1 2.img.IY2aysGJ51A&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46471029,d.d2k&fp=43cf8253 15b7b2ba&biw=1098&bih=496&imgrc=ldf5CbeeQ_KZsM%3A%3B00yiyoVvjAN56M %3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fs3.amazonaws.com%252Fksr%252Fassets%252F000 %252F484%252F452%252F87cbc41410d1ed1f68dde0de9d6778d6_large.jpg%253F1 364848693%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.kickstarter.com%252Fprojects%252F echox%252Fecho-‐recoil-‐cyberpunk-‐art-‐by-‐echo-‐chernik%3B700%3B456 http://www.illustrationweb.com/artists/echochernik/view http://www.ted.com/conversations/5912/how_has_technology_changed_the.html http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/publishing/articles/121403.aspx http://www.ted.com/conversations/5912/how_has_technology_changed_the.html http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/publishing/articles/121403.aspx
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