2.2

Today in the lecture, visual language, style, and aesthetic was explored. This was a good way to begin to consider what styles I could be communicating in. We also briefly looked at resizing images for print and managing file sizes which was extremely useful.

In studio time, we analysed a selection of design books, with a focus on their stylistic approaches. In groups we matched up certain adjectives (active/energetic, sophisticated/elegant, technical/scientific, organic/natural) to certain design pieces, examining what feel each piece had. We then shared our top picks with the class and cross referenced findings and identified common visual traits similar across the array of works picked. It is valuable to consider what we aim to express in our work, and what styles and emotions we should utilise to convey our chosen places. For example, one of my locations House of Dumplings is completely wooden, and everything is recyclable and naturally sourced and made, therefore, I should consider organic and natural styles, reflected in colour, font choice, image treatment, etc. All of the individual elements make a statement and something as simple as font choice can impact a design heavily.

We then shared the collages we had made from independent study with our table groups and then with our tutors for critique/feedback. The feedback I received was that my ideas are working well in the fact my subject matter is clear and obvious as to what it is. My individual elements interact with each other in a way that shows a process - the process of making things (my theme). The collages are pretty rough and could be more refined and sophisticated. I should keep developing these ideas and apply them to more compositions and begin to make them digitally.

For independent study I will begin to look into different stylistic approaches and find which ones match my locations, and trial them visually. I will make more collages building on the feedback I received. I need to work on being quicker in the synthesis of my work, producing lots of different collages as opposed to spending hours on a single collage.