Contextual Studies Related to Graphics

Graphics & The Digital Revolution

As our introduction to this part of the module we started to look into the specific aspects related to graphic design. We started to look into to the introduction of new technologies such as tablets, smart phones, laptops, computers, internet and software that can ease the process of graphic design. These advances have had a huge impact on traditional techniques like collage, photography editing and traditional print. These days you can access this kind of information (news, current events) on a tablet

I started to look into original newspaper prints which first started in England in the 17th century. Germany first printed and distributed a newspaper in the 16th century. You can see by this image below that there is clear hierarchy in type from the mast head which is typically the name of the newspaper. This hierarchy is still used in modern say newspapers and magazines. This is an obvious technique that helps the reader understand what they are reading and the content of what it is.

I also started to look into magazines. The word derives from the german word 'Makhazin' which means 'Store houses'. This was the first general interest magazine that derived and this example below is a 'gentleman's magazine' and shows clear type and imagery hierarchy which is still a very common concept in todays world for print of any kind including letter heads, books, magazines, newspapers and even digital versions of these. 

We started to look at the work of Alexi Rodovich who was a Russian Graphic designer who's most famous work was with the magazine Harpers Bazaar which is still a very popular fashion magazine in todays world. He won a competition to design for the magazine and beat the very famous cubist artist Picasso. His work from as early as 1934 still looks modern and contemporary today. 

This example below shows clearly that Rodovich was ahead of his time in terms of Typography and Photography. Specially within the layout and concepts of his designs. Below only half a woman's face has been used for the photograph which is a contemporary idea for its time seeing as it was released in 1948. The use of simplistic type and color coordination is something that would still be used in a modern day magazine. This shows that his work was hugely influential within magazine design and graphics as a whole as some of his methods are still considered as simplistic and modern today which is 50 years later.