How text can change our first impressions and understanding of an image.

The meaning of an image can be misinterpreted if the viewer is not provided with the necessary written information corresponding to the image. Elements of images without text which can lead them to being misinterpreted are, firstly if the image has a very small amount of detail, an unfamiliar image which has been taken away from its usual context or an image which been cropped down from its original size and so allowing the viewer to only see a small section from the whole image.

By not providing information about an image can be done on purpose to make people look deeper into the image and allowing for each individual to decide their own interpretation of what is being portrayed.

However the use of text with an image can also conjure up misinterpretations and therefore can affect the message in which the image is portraying. Where an image alone could have no obvious meaning and so does not communicate a message to the viewer, by adding text can instantly change ones impression.

An example of how a plain image can be influenced when a simple piece of text is present, is; The Treachery of images by Rene Magritte, which include, ‘This is not a pipe’ and ‘This is not an apple’

With a first glance, this painting looks very simple with just a single unanimated object on a plain background, and so giving no sense of emotion or thought provoking insight. However when you notice the writing underneath the object, ‘this is not a pipe’ the viewer starts to look more deeply into the image and starts to question what in fact the image is of.

“How people reproached me for it! And yet, could you stuff my pipe? No, it's just a representation, is it not? So if I had written on my picture "This is a pipe," I'd have been lying!” ¹

These painting therefore caused debate due to the interaction between the image and the text.

Another example of how text can influence an image is if it is purposely placed to force the viewer to either look at certain areas first or to almost ignore areas and to highlight others to ensure the message is obvious and so an almost superficial communication.

  [1]   Torczyner, Harry. Magritte: Ideas and Images. p. 71.

Milestones- Which do you consider to be the 10 key developments in the production the technology for Graphic design?

With there being so many important milestones, which have played such significant role in the development of Graphic, design between 3500 BC and 2011, it is difficult to only choose 10. The following milestones in which I have chosen I feel give a broad insight of how the development rapidly changed and adapted throughout the eras.

In 3500 BC, one of the earliest forms of the written language was developed, where Sumerians used cuneiform alphabet on clay tablets, and so created a platform for future of the written language, where cuneiform was soon replaced by the Phoenician alphabet.

In 868, the first printed book was produced, in which was produced in china and was called the diamond sutra.

The art of type soon became more sophisticated and in 1400 Koreans printed with metal to create movable type, this led to printing becoming faster, cheaper and it allowed text to become more creative.

In 1477, William Caxton produced the first printed book in English, and set up a press in London, England in which he introduced the art of printing.

In 1837, the photographic process (the daguerreotype) was invented by Louis Daguerre, which was the first successful completion of the photographic process. It was a very slow process in which was developed by Daguerre and Niepce

 The introduction of colour separation by the use of filters was demonstrated by Clerk Maxwell and as the photographic process was being increasingly developed, soon colour photographs were produced.

Another significant milestone of the production of graphic design was the invention of email by Tommilinson, which allowed the communication of messages to be sent and received almost instantaneously and so a lot faster and cheaper than sending messages by post.

The development of the precursor to mackintosh by Lisa introduced by apple changed the industry for graphic designers.

In 1984, Fujio Masuoka invented Flash memory while working for Toshiba

Adobe in design was launched in 1999, which is another example of how technology is becoming more and more sophisticated and adapting for today’s way of living

When and how was the first book printed in Europe?

Johannes Gutenberg printed the first known dated book in Strasburg 1945, in which was produced by printing press, a revolutionary invention by Gutenberg. Gutenberg being a goldsmith developed a printing system which was based on the existing hand screw press, he created individual letters that could be moved and put into lines to create sentences. The printing press was devised of ink being rolled onto a surface, which can then be pressed onto a print medium such as paper and so transferring ink. He used this process to print his forty two line Bible, which was published in 1455, known as the Gutenberg Bible and approximately 180 copies were printed mainly on paper.
His revolutionary invention of printing changed the production of literature, not only did he create a larger means of literature production therefore gaining a bigger audience, but he also made the process cheaper.  The large quantities was a key element in profitability of printing and so led to the first mass production of books, where the printing press could print around 3600 pages per day in comparison to the 40 pages by the typographic hand printing method.
William Caxton learnt the process of printing due to his ‘pen became worn, his hand weary, his eye dimmed’, this led him to produce the first printed book in English (The Game and Playe of the Chesse). Caxton set up a press in London where he introduced the art of printing in England and in 1477 on the 18^th of November; the first dated published book was printed (Dictes and Sayenges of the Phylosophers). ^[1]

[1] Ward's Book of Days, Pages of interesting anniversaries.

     [ http://www.wardsbookofdays.com/18november.htm ], [accessed - 16//11/11]

Character Design.

When a character is being designed, the construction does not just happen automatically; every feature has a reason behind it. Due to the fact each character is unique they need to be designed and constructed to be able to perform their own specific function.
Every aspect needs to be considered when designing a character from their appearance, their interaction with other characters, body language or the choice of dialogue, for example the choice of words and style of the language can tell us a lot about the character. Such as we would immediately notice if a character was confident by their loud voice or by non stop talking.  
In books, television programs or films there is always at least one protagonist, who is the main character and does not necessarily need to be the ‘good guy’.
 This protagonist allows the reader/viewer to have a connection and so ‘a way in’ to the story and is key to most stories as without the main character, it becomes harder to identify and relate to significant events. 
There is also often an Antagonist, who is the cause of the conflicts and without this character the protagonist would have little problems and so would lead an average life with not a lot happening. A stereotype can also be introduced to communicate a lot of information about a character very efficiently. 

 One example of how a character has been specifically designed in order to communicate its functions is the main protagonist in ‘Cars’ a Disney Pixar film. The character is an animated anthropomorphic racing car, in which the design of the car was influenced by a high powered sports car, possibly a Mazda Miata or a Dodge Viper in order to communicate its speed and also its authenticity. The colour red is also a typical racing colour and it is also very bright which will attract the audience of this film being children. The racing car is called lightening McQueen, with ‘lightening’ communicating the cars high speed and McQueen was named after the late animator Glen McQueen and also from the influence of Steve McQueen a racing enthusiast where the car also shares some of his traits.

Lightening McQueen.

Story development.

In a the development of a film there is usually a three act structure, for example for a two hour film these three acts would possibly be spilt into 30:60:30. In act one; we see the introduction of the main character(s), the circumstances surrounding the actions of the characters and generally what the story is about. The main character allows the viewer a way in to the story and also the actions of this character drive the story throughout. These actions can give the viewer an insight to the interrelationships amongst other characters and also places them within a time and place. Act one also encounters an ‘inciting incident’ an event in which sets up the first plot involving the main character. 
In Act two, we see the ‘first culmination’, in which we see the main character to be close to achieving their goal, however this then falls apart. Shortly after the main character reaches the lowest point and we feel that they will never reach their goal.
Finally in Act three we see the climax and the ‘second culmination’, where the plot reaches its end and the story development causes the main character to confront the opposition (antagonist). Close to the end of the film there is a brief period of calm, which then balances the tension.

We can clearly see how this three act structure in the film ‘The Proposal’, in ‘Act one’ we are introduced to the main characters; Margaret Tate and Andrew Paxton and we immediately know their circumstances through the main characters where Margaret is the executive editor in a chief book publishing company and Andrew is her assistant. Margaret is strongly disliked by the other employees and by Andrew due to the fact she is cold and very strict, however these interrelationships change as the story develops. The ‘inciting incident’ in which sets up plot one is when we discover that Margaret faces deportation and her only way to overcome this is to marry Andrew, who has no choice as otherwise he will loose his job.

I Act two we see the ‘first culmination’ where we see Margaret and Andrew close to reaching their goal of getting the official documents of their marriage. However this soon falls apart when the antagonist (the immigration officer) suspects’ fraud and so Margaret decides to abandon the marriage to save Andrew from getting into trouble, and so we then see a change of relationship between these two main characters.
Finally in Act three the climax of the film we see Andrew and Margaret relationship change from hate to love and they confront the antagonist and decide to marry for real and we finally see a brief period of calm at the end of the story, where things seem to be back on track again.

Three act structure-[http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/pruter/film/threeact.htm]

[Accessed 14/11/11].

Creative Platforms.

What platforms have been used by illustrators/creatives to enhance communication?

The platforms in which illustrators can enhance the communication of their work could include anything from editorial newspapers, advertisement for billboards or installation projects. By being able to use a variety of mediums in which to apply your illustrations or typography to, instead of restricting yourself to the same practice, this will then allow you to communicate to a wider and more diverse audience.  

 I have been looking at typographer and illustrator Kate Forrester, who specialises in hand made typography in which is she intricately cuts out and often intertwines with flowing illustrations. This hand made quality produces a personal feel to her work, which allows the viewer to be able to connect with what is being communicated. “I am always excited to find new applications for my work.” Forrester

Her style of intricate paper cut outs have been used on a variety of mediums for different contexts such as book covers, supermarket packaging and incorporating text onto chocolate bars.

Book cover design - Kate Forrester

One example of where her artwork has been adapted for a large scale platform for advertisement is for Mc Donalds, in which the advert was on the side of a lorry. The large scale means she has to adapt her illustrations and typography to give the same strong impact, in which her smaller pieces already give and it is also a good way to promote her artwork with it being in such a public view.

McDonalds advert

Another more recent example of where her illustrations have been adapted for a different platform is on a tin which has been designed for the royal wedding. I feel her personal style of work compliments the subject of the wedding and so communicates a clear meaning.  

Interpretation

Illustrators respond and use zeitgeist of their time and place to interpret messages and content.

The iconic Disney character ‘Mickey Mouse’ has changed dramatically over the years due to the influence of the time and place. The original illustrations of Mickey Mouse are dated from the late 1920’s, where the first short film was in 1928 and due to the fact colour screens had not yet been invented this meant that the films started out in black and white. We can clearly see how the content of the 2^nd film 'The Gallopin' Gaucho’, in 1928 was influenced by the time and place, where we see Mickey smoking and drinking. In this era smoking was a social interaction and not known to be bad for you, therefore it would have been accepted. However as his popularity grew and he became a role model for children the content of the films became restricted. 

1928

As technology grew, this also had an influence on the films, as before the film (The Karnival Kid) in 1929, Mickey had not spoken and had only given the odd sound, for example whistling.

We can also see how this era influenced Mickey’s clothes, where his gloves have three lines on the back of them in which represent darts in the fabric, which were typical of the fashion in that era. ^[1]

The 1930’s led to the first screening of colour films, and also the redesign of his character, by animator Fred Moore. Mickey’s appearance became friendlier, when his eyes changed from being solid black to white with black pupils, other features also changed such as the shape of his body changed from being round to a pear shaped. As colour was introduced to the films, we see Mickey’s iconic red shorts and yellow shoes, which over the years become brighter and bolder.

1935

Even today the famous character has continued to be adapted, for example the ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’ where it is becoming more and more digital, due to the influence of the modern technology. The message in which I feel is communicated is how the character has been made to adapt over the years in which to keep up with current trend. 

2000

[1] The Opry House - March 28, 1929, Mickey Mouse Follies, [http://mmfolliesbw.blogspot.com/2007/10/opry-house-march-28-1929.html], [Accessed 06/11/11].