Exercise 1: Identifying visual communications
Persuasive design message examples:
2.Another soviet propaganda poster example: The message here is “Vodka has brought much evil and wrongdoing to the family. In this case, the bottle is the device (scissors) cutting a man out of his family photo, which symbolizes the severing of family ties by addiction.
Above images Fridman, 1977, available on: https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/soviet-alcohol-posters-fuel-160317 accessed 23/4/20
3. 1930 The holiday season proved to be a successful time to sell for Lucky Strike, who placed this poinsettia-filled ad in a magazine. In this image -the designer is attempting to impact by associating the company with style and beauty culture, superior taste and seasonal festiveness, Unknown designer, Lucky Strike Ad 1930, CURCIO J.
(APR 1, 2020) Vintage Cigarette ads slideshow, available on : https://www.crfashionbook.com/culture/g26973101/vintage-cigarette-ads/?slide=4 accessed 23/4/20
Title: Go ! Its Your Duty Lad. Join To-Day! . This poster was published by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee (PRC) in June 1915. Whereas earlier government recruiting literature had reminded young women of their duty to encourage loved ones to enlist, this poster appeals directly to mothers to put aside selfish reasons and ensure that their sons heed the call. It was not a popular design, partly because of its hectoring tone but also because of its similarity with contemporary commercial advertising which was becoming an increasingly resented feature of the PRC’s campaign. The bold background color and use of a central figure to point out the message could have been used to advertise one of a dozen popular brands, as critics noted at the time. A spoof version of this poster appeared in “The Bystander” magazine (8 September 1915) The problem lay in the way new designs were created by commercial printers on behalf of the government with little, or no, official guidance. Inevitably, this led advertisers to deploy well-worn and familiar methods of persuasion which ultimately served to alienate potential recruits.
(chromolitho) Creator: Unknown Artist, (20th century)Location: National Army Museum, London, available on: Bridgeman Images\ accessed 23/4/20
Information examples:
2.Color Harmony Diagram: This attractive and clean diagram attempts to visually explain the basics of color harmony in a quick, attractive way. It is a part of the VISME university website which is marketing online design courses. Image: Visme.com, accessed 24/4/20
3. Visual ”code of conduct” for taxi passengers in Thailand. Each icon communicates a forbidden activity and although there’s absolutely no text involved, most meaning is quite well understood globally: No smoking, no durian fruit, no drinking, no pets, no sexual activity, no weapons, no water buffalo, this icon is an exception as it includes a double meaning Thai word: the Thai word “buffalo” also means: ‘messing around’ annoying or hassling. Image credit: Tasty Thailand blog, available on: https://tastythailand.com/things-youre-not-allowed-to-do-in-a-taxi-in-thailand/ accessed 24/4/20
Identity design examples:
Authorial content examples:
Banksi’s strong visual statements have turned him into an international icon and the most famous street artist of our times. Banksi produces highly authorial, communicative art messages, directed straight at the masses, bypassing the judgement & constrains of commercial art world and spaces such as galleries. In the example above, Banksy “melds street-fighting passion and pacifist ardor in his image of a protester whose Molotov cocktail morphs into a bouquet.” Image: Banksy, flower thrower mural, 2006 Available on: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-story-behind-banksy-4310304/, accessed 24/4/20
Cases of authorial content are hidden within historical classics such as the famous
Michelangelo panel “The Creation of Adam”. Michelangelo was an anatomy expert, who perfected his skill by scientifically dissecting corpses. It is said that his famous work contains an anatomical human brain behind god. This could be interpreted as a authorial message from the painter to the church and their contempt of science, suggesting god resides within the human mind. Image available on: https://bestlifeonline.com/secrets-hidden-in-famous-art/, accessed 24/4/20
Interactive design examples:
- Interactive designs websites, such as François Risoud’s portfolio website can engage the user in enjoyable ways can stand out as memorable and dynamic. This way of communicating must be done professionally and carefully as dysfunctional interaction can have an opposite effect.
- Inviting user engagement in fun activities can leave a positive note with potential brand clients. On https://www.awwwards.com/sites/nike-reactor, Nike invites visitors to design their own dream trainers, which might draw in a positive impression of the company.
Alternative message examples:
2020 Black Lives Matter campaign gif example: viral moving image designs are heavily used in promoting the BLM movement demands for justice throughout social media.
Feminist poster from the 70’s, utilizing print and comic detail in order to protest public spending cuts affecting working women. Design: See Red Women’s Workshop (1974-1990)
Feminist collage print on craft paper, using text with images of famous women in order to send a message of empowerment.
Creative Arts Today 