Graphic Design Timeline

A SOUTH AFRICAN DESIGNER (William Kendridge)

Felix in Exile (Medienkunstnetz.de, 2018)

In this essay there will be a visual analysis discussing  William Kentridge’s work Felix in Exile. William Kendridge is a South African artist and designer, born on April 28, 1955 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Best known for his prints, drawings and animated films. Kentridge’s influences are local artist -Dumile Feni’s, charcoal and pen drawings depicting the living conditions of Apartheid, Iconic Western artworks, social and political commentary and artist Francis Bacon’s triptych technique.

William Kentridge’s Felix in Exile is an animated video telling a story through scenes on which William Kentridge worked from 1989 to 1999. Felix in Exile design work consists of moving images that create a video effect. Each drawing which contains a single scene, is successively altered through erasing and redrawing and photographed in 16 or 35mm film at each stage of its evolution.( medienkunstnetz.de, 2018).

He will draw, erase and rework the same piece many times. Before he erases each version, he photographs it. Each photograph becomes a scene in the animated short film.(cnn.com, 2018)

There is use of rhythm, in the Felix in Exile the movement is created by one scene to the next. Each object has a meaning. The flow and rhythm is seen when viewing the artwork from the left side moving to the right. Kentridge’s style is described as “grubby” and “primitive”.

Kentridge can not be classified-experimentation with various media he is known for his home made animation technique-referred to as “Stone

Age”. He believes that each object is symbolic(has a meaning). His designs of animations are built using a stop-frame technique whereby each drawing or image created is photographed chronologically or in the order they appear in the film. Sequential photographs produce a narrative of film images

Many of Kentridge's pieces portray the plight of the powerless and oppressed in South Africa.(cnn.com, 2018).

Kentridge’s work is interesting and can be confused sometimes. His focus on telling a story through art is exceptional because his mentality is set on using one medium(charcoal) and creating or designing powerful pieces.

This piece or short film is about a girl named Nandi, Her many gazes are found in the mirror. The drawings Felix produce flood, his sparse room like water, like memory and longing. On the other hand, Nandi is embedded in a cosmic distance that dissipates in the misery of black South Africa. In the topography of the landscape, Nandi’s surveying instruments search for traces of history, for a standard of existence, for a direction.

The drawings and images of Felix and Nandi pile up one on of the top the other, functioning in both cases as documents of an emotional shock. The victims of the story are discovered on discarded daily newspapers and written as such into the landscape. Nandi too, finds death. Felix, on the other hand, finds himself once again in the deserted landscape of his homeland, but now with a suitcase full of drawings. (medienkunstnetz.de, 2018).

Kentridge’s purpose is to create or design art that moves, tells a story, unforgettable and delivers a strong meaning.

Impact Bauhaus has had on design

Bauhaus Building

In the following essay the work of a German architect Walter Gropius the Bauhaus Building will be discussed through a visual analysis. Staatliches Bauhaus also known as the Baubaus German art school operated since 1919 to 1933. The building is a modern architectural design.

The straight horizontal and vertical thin lines on the Bauhaus Building form windows on the side of the building and on the front of the building. The thick straight horizontal lines by the red entrance door form layers of stairs, the balconies are formed by straight medium lines which are facing an identical direction and thick straight lines which form as a frame of the building and two extra think lines that form a frame that divides the floors of the building.

Vega School JHB

The design of the Bauhaus Building is like three tetris game pieces joined together. The pieces fit like a puzzle. It formed out of geometrical shapes which give it a modern look.

The windows are basic rectangular shapes. There is a basic shape within a shape(rectangle) in every window. The entire building is formed by basic rectangular shapes.

The building reflects limited hues which are black, white, grey and the only primary colour which is red(warm colour).

The focal point is the grey part of the building with the ‘Bauhaus’ name vertically written in bold white and the bright red door as the entrance beneath the ‘Bauhaus’ name.

The perspective of the building is that the four sections of the building which form the entire building are faced four different directions. This also forms a certain type of movement whereby the windows are an identical shape but facing different directions and the balconies are the same shape yet facing different directions. This creates a flow that forms repetition and rhythm.

The space is formed by the main elements of the building which is the glass on the front of the two- three storey buildings connected by a one storey building

The balance of the building is asymmetrical. It is an off-centre balance because there is no central view, somehow when the pieces are combined they make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole(unity).

The contrast is created by the black and white hues. The textures are smooth and small shapes are combined with large shapes to create a dramatic feel.

The glass facade the load-bearing framework allows a view of the interior workings. The view creates an impression of transparency. Looks like the multiple windows attract light beautifully.

The concept of the building design idea was founded within an idea of creating a work of art. The Bauhaus style later became one of the most influential style in modern design.

The Bauhaus Building is designed in a way that it tells a story. Every section of the building is designed to reflect the purpose of the school and what the school provides in terms of the teachings.

The impact Bauhaus has had on design today is impeccable. As a Vega student I have noticed Gropius style in the architecture. From the shelters outside, the geometric structure of the walls to the red, grey and white colours around the school building.

“The guiding principle was that design is neither an intellectual nor a material affair, but simply an integral part of the stuff of life, necessary for everyone in a civilized society”- Walter Gropius

ART VS DESIGN (Pablo Picasso VS William Kentridge)

Pablo Picasso (Artist)

The difference between Art and Design: The subject of what separates art and design is convoluted and has been debated for a long time. Artists and designers both create visual compositions using a shared knowledge base, but their reasons for doing so are entirely different.

Art connects with people in different ways, because it’s interpreted differently. DaVinci’s Mona Lisa has been interpreted and discussed for many years. Just why is she smiling? Scientists say it’s an illusion created by your peripheral vision. Romantics say she is in love. Sceptics say there is no reason. None of them are wrong. (Webdesignerdepot.com, 2018)

William Kentridge (Designer)

 Art is defined by a feeling. In order to under art you have to feel it. It is like meeting the love of your life for the first time, there is an emotional connection it means something, it sends out a message, it is filled with emotions and it is sometimes a mess, but you still see the beauty in it.

If design can be interpreted then it has failed it’s purpose. The purpose of design is functionality, it is not just to look at and admire, it is for usage and purpose. Design comes in different fields.

The design thinking process will assist in elaborating the ‘design’ purpose further below:

Design Thinking is a human-centered creative problem-solving process that provides the "how-to" in order to think "outside the box."

Empathize- Watch and listen, observe and engage. To understand and “put yourself in someone else’s shoes”

Define- Describe or state the meaning of something. The reason we define is to craft a problem which result in your “point of view”. Your “POV” determines the right challenge to address.

Ideate- the formation of an idea. How one would imagine or conceive an idea. Ideation is not about figuring out the perfect idea. It is about the process in which you go through and how many possibilities you can create.

Prototype- Purpose is to answer any outstanding questions about the usability.

Test- Establishing the quality performance or reliability.

Examples of Art VS Design:

Pablo Picasso is an artist who painted the ‘Guenica’ a mural done by oil paint. It’s purpose is to evoke a feeling and sense of connection.

William Kendridge is an animation designer who designed an animated video called ‘Felix in Exile’ telling a story through scenes. The purpose is to entertain

*Design is solving a problem. Art is raising a question.

*Design is conclusive. Art is an open debate.

*Design is being an actor and following a script. Art is writing and interpreting your own story.

*Design is the mind looking for solutions. Art is the voice of the soul.

*Design needs a collective acceptance. Art only needs an inner approval.

*Design is an act of empathy. Art is an act of freedom.

(Creativebloq.com,2018)

T.R.E (Modernism, Postmodernism, Contemporary) Fashion

Coco Chanel 

In the essay of The Evolution of Fashion Design the historical movements of Modernism, Postmodernism and Contemporary design will be discussed. Trends varied and changed overtime, from elegant dresses which were a simple design for a woman’s silhouette (Chanel), to punk style were style of clothing was oversized with too much unnecessary detailing. Fashion/ style then became contemporary, exaggerated the woman’s silhouette and mixed mediums to created innovated garments.

Coco Chanel, an elegant and classic style (modernism). Chanel used a form of straight lines and comfort as function when it came to the garments. Chanel’s style was designed to make women feel elegant, important and beautiful in the garments. The use of hue of black because it is easier to accessorise black with anything.

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood , a casual, punk-rock style (postmodernism). Westwood’s fashion/style is known for it’s messy cuts, oversized and dark colours, repetition of detailing forming a different silhouette. The function of the garments is to feel free and comfortable. The fabric used is to hold the design of the garment in place(leather, cotton and wool) to avoid easy wrinkling and yet easy to manipulate.

Alex McQueen

 Alexander McQueen, this style is complex and known as the current trend (contemporary). McQueen used manipulates the human body form by using mixed mediums which are not necessarily comfortable form of function. The aim is to show innovation and futuristic garment possibilities and to catch a human’s eye from an artistic perspective. McQueen uses 3- dimensional shapes to design haute couture garments which are not prêt-a-porta(ready-wear), meaning they are only meant for ‘show’.

Chanel, Westwood and McQueen(modernism, postmodernism and contemporary) are relevant to their period because in 1926 Chanel introduced the style of simplicity, encouraging women to fall in love with themselves by designing simplicity and elegance and making it an eye catcher. In 1977 Westwood made sure the world knows that imperfection is beautiful, designing garment that were unapologetic and strong. Incorporating that power comes in different forms, sizes, colour and shapes. Westwood’s messy cuts and oversized garments became an evolution of art. And in the 2000s, McQueen’s style took the universe by storm. McQueen’s style represents the future, it uses various mixed mediums to create ‘a beautiful mess’. The aim is not to function, the aim is to create hype and send out a strong message that fashion or style does not necessarily mean something you wear to look good. Fashion or style means something that makes a statement and tells people who you are without uttering a single word.

Compare and Contrast (Phillip Johnson vs Frank Gehry) Postmodernism/ Deconstructism

Mcknight, J. 2015. The Sony Tower (Mcknight, 2018)

In this compare and contrast essay a formal analysis of P. Johnson ‘ The Sony Tower’ constructed in 1984 and F. Gehry ‘The Walt Disney Concert Hall’ completed in 2003 will be discussed

Rennie, J. 2013. Walt Disney Concert Hall (Archdaily, 2018)

Originally designed for American communications giant AT&T, Philip Johnson Postmodern skyscraper was the first of its kind. Now known as the Sony Tower, the building remains controversial.(Dezeen.com, 2018).

 The Walt Disney Concert Hall has received wide acclaim for its excellent acoustics and distinctive architecture. The hall's sweeping, metallic surfaces have become associated with Frank Gehry’s signature style.(Archdaily.com, 2018).

The Sony Tower is totally different compared to The Walt Disney Concert  Hall. The Sony Tower is structured in a skyscraper form, it is build for length and not width. The Walt Disney Concert Hall on the other hand is in a deconstructive form, it is build incorporate form following function.

The lines used in The Sony Tower are horizontal and vertical lines and the windows are all in a rectangle shape. The lines shooting south are thick and multiplied to shape the windows creating repetition. The space is not so visible because of the multiple dark in colour windows which are so close to each other making the building to appear to be thin. The colours are natural like hues of black and grey. The texture is rather smooth and there is no complexity.

The Lines used in The Walt Disney Concert Hall are curvy creating a flow and a form of repetition. The metallic material wall waves in non-existing order forming some type of rhythm, it makes sense because it is build for musical performances. The windows are in a rectangle shape, they have a mirror effect to attract light and shine and they have silver frames in colour to match the rest of the building which is also silver in colour. The texture is smooth. Actually too smooth, it is like the feel of anything liquid would easily slide effortlessly. It is definitely a complex structure.

The form of The Sony Tower resembles the Michel Angelo building in Sandton, there is not much to notice but the multiple windows, the crown looking roof and the natural dull colours like greys and creams and it’s brass and marble finishes on the interior. Because Sony is an audio and electronics company, I would like to believe that building was designed to look like a giant speaker.

The form of The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a single volume, with orchestra and audience occupying the same space. It’s function is that the seats are located on each side of the stage, providing some audience members with distant views of the performers’ sheet music. The steel roof structure spans the entire space, eliminating the need for interior columns.(archdaily.com, 2018).

Both buildings, The Sony Tower and The Walt Disney Concert Hall have one thing in common which is that they both about/ inspired by music. Both buildings are constructed to deliver form that follows function. They are built with a purpose.

Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright (Contemporary Architecture Design)

Forcett, K. 2017. Falling Water (Mentalfloss.com, 2018)

In this essay a visual analysis of F. L Wright, Falling Water, constructed from 1938 will be discussed. His use of elements indicated unity with nature.

Wright uses line in this design by using the shelter to face the same direction as the stairs and the line of the windows to face the opposite side, he is creating a balance in this structure to form unity with nature.

Repetition in this design is formed by the same colour and structure in every floor. Horizontal lines on the balconies are used, the walls and stairs face one direction. That way the whole design looks like a stairs structure forming repetition.

In this design space is used the multiple addition of glass and windows. By using multiple windows Wright is specifically creating more space by letting the outside in (nature in). Meaning the natural light occupies the inside of the building and creates a natural form(when you’re inside it feels like you’re outside).

Natural colour is used to match the trees and the water likes brown, grey and washed up white (cream). He avoids bright colours to keep the nature alive around the structure.

The texture is smooth when it comes to the balconies and the brick wall is quite rough. The roughness of the brick wall forms a similarity with nature, making both the structure and nature one thing.

Wright basically incorporates nature. His use of line is inspired by the long tree branches that grow straight up. The repetition is inspired by the flow of the tree leaves. The space design is simply inspired by natural sunlight and freedom of nature. The smooth texture is inspired by the calmness of the surroundings and the roughness is inspired by the rocks which are dominated by the water fall. Last, but not least the colours like brown, grey and cream are inspired by the trees, rocks and the water and avoiding bright colours to maintain the natural feel and vision.