Contextual Portfolio ~ The Importance of a Multi-Platform Design

In an early lecture we discussed the importance of a multi-platform design so that it can work effectively across a range of different media and materials. The initial picture that captured my attention for this logo was the business cards, the choice of material and texture crates a very professional and attractive appearance and represents the company in a very positive light. I then followed the link provided with the picture and realised that the company had created a series of bags, tins, websites, and many other products featuring their logo and design.

They continue the duo colour theme for the bag design, using the business card style as an influence for this and creating a very attractive appearance. I think the simplicity of one side of the design in contrast to the complexity of the other side creates a really rounded design. In addition to this, the unique use of materials and small details creates a very perfected design and shoes that the company care about their products, providing the customers with a sense of trust.

By creating a more simplified version of their logo they have provided the viewers with something easy and recognisable that they can familiarise with the company. This provides a ground for customers as they will continually return to the recognised company as they feel safe and comfortable with familiar ground.

Contextual Portfolio ~ Floppy Disk Woman

This particular image caught my attention as it could be representation of the materialistic ways of modern society, the use of floppy disks represents the changes and improvements in technology and the advancements that we have made. For this reason it has a somewhat futuristic twist to it.

The style is almost a montage style of floppy disks and this is then almost constructed as a collage to create the woman. the style of woman that they have used can also be considered significance as she has no real female features, the hair is not long and therefor she can not be stereotyped as a woman due to the length of her hair and the bone structure is very neutral. She has an almost robotic appearance which might represent the contrast between modern technology and the floppy disk. 

Although the colours used are somewhat reflective of the colours that the woman would be, it is also slightly abstracted due to the use of blue, further adding to the illusion that the woman might be considered somewhat robotic in appearance. 

The piece has a very postmodern twist to it and may be created ignored to represent the disagreement with the use of new media and materials, hence the use of a floppy disk in the creation of the piece. This would be a contrasting view to if the image had been created in a futuristic style as it would then be an appreciation of the technological advancements. 

Contextual Portfolio ~ A Closer Look at Yummei

During my Earth Artifact research I touched briefly on the artworks of Yuumei, however having had lectures on the ideas of subliminal messages and deeper meaning, I wanted to research a little more into some of the artist’s designs and explore the true context of the work.

Beginning with this particular design, which clearly resembles an hourglass for a motif of time. The motif focuses on our running out of time to make changes and improvements to the world. The top half of the hourglass is created to effect the viewer emotionally, the colours are peaceful and relaxed, accompanied by a mother bear with her cub. This allows the viewer to feel a sense of happiness when they first look at the image as they are initially drawn to the brighter colours of the design and the lighting effects are the top of the hourglass. The arrow shape of the iceberg that the bears are stood on and the gradual darkening of colour then draws the viewer down to the bottom half where the design represents the modern changes and impact of the decisions that we are making. 

Shadowed by a completely modern and industrial cityscape, the now dark and dingy water contains various items of litter and several more materialist items that act as motifs. Some of the items on show include a girl, a couch, various food items, a television and a game controller. All of which would probably suggest the girl was playing on the console whilst lay on the couch snacking. 

I feel that the intentions of this image are to address our increasing obsession with material items and the laziness of modern society and the lack of appreciation we have for the natural world around us that is effectively suffering. The girls drowning represent how it will effect us if we don’t begin to care more about the world around us. Overall the impact that this image has on the viewer is very strong, the emotional contrast that it causes by moving from the bright colours to the dark greens and blacks causes emotional and visual discomfort and then the subject of each half of the design further enhances that.

The next image that I would like to focus on features a woman holding petrol pump to her heart, pumping oil from what would appear to be the sea into her body. Immediately I see the link between our obsession with material goods and our disregard for the nature around us, this is shown through various dead fish scattered among the dirty water she is stood in and also the bird that appears to be being worn as a sort of fashion statement on the woman’s head. 

Again in the background of this image there is an industrial landscape featuring smoke and factories. Unlike the image with the hourglass, this image contains no positive connotations or emotions and is completely negative in all that it contains. The dark colours used draw attention to the negative subject of the image and the subtle use of the colour red on the petrol pump and the woman’s heart would suggest that there is a danger in the connection between the human race and material goods and the overall design effects the result of this if it is taken too far.

I have also featured a few more of Yuumei’s images that appear to have a similar message being portrayed through the designs. Some images are more positive, showing a better alternative or a brighter future. Others of the images simply put it straight to the viewer that the negative impacts that we are having on the earth are very severe and if no changes take place then the horrific images will be likely to come true.

As I said, this was only part of my research on the Earth Artifact brief and I collected a large array of different designs and ideas to sway my influences towards a final piece. Although I have not annotated all of these ideas, I have compiled a board simply to visually inspire me when I visit it. Please follow the link below if you would like to explore this board further.

https://www.pinterest.com/beccaleccaspecc/earth-artefact