George Simmel asked to lecture on the role of the life in the city but instead reverses the idea and writes about the effect of the city on the individual. This is also the time where Freud writes about psycho-analysis. The resistance of the individual to being levelled, swallowed up in the social technological mechanism. Lewis Hine 1932 photo shows an individual building a skyscraper, all the rules of the city had to be learnt even crossing the roads.
Louis Sullivan the creator of the modern skyscraper.
An idea that the taller building represents upward mobility showing that the sky is the limit.
The city is a melting pot for immigration. A detached view of the city.
Charles Scheeler was an advertising photographer for Ford. He photographs the plant in a modernistic way which shows the factory as a collection of shapes rather than a plant. Fordism - mechanised labour relations, the factory is so repetitive that the person becomes part of that routine. This is shown in Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" film. The worker becomes the means of production.
Stock market crash of 1929. Factories close and unemployment goes up dramatically. This leads to the Great Depression.
Walter Benjamin - adopted the concept of the urban observer as an analytical tool and as a lifestyle as seen in his writings. He looks at the cafe society in particular and the relationship of the body with the city.
Daido Moriyama exposes himself to the city life where he would not usually be. The photos are disjointed and have an underlying tone of a dark threat. A chase is seen throughout the photos and it looks like he is pursuing something but at the same time nothing.
Automat (1927) Loneliness, A before and an After in the story which is left to our imagination
Sophie Calle Suite Venitienne (1980) - She follows and stalks people just taking photos of them and then looses them. She followed one man to Venice.
Leads to the Detective (1980) she wants to provide a photographic evidence of existence. his photos and notes on her are displayed next to her notes of being followed. She leads him around the city.
911 Bombings - "Here is New York" a book of images taken by everyone of the event. No names were put with the photos and it was a collection from not just photographers but people caught up in the event.
Weegee (Arthur Felig) pursued the darker side of the city and documented the murders and crashes. His book the Naked City looks at his Crisis Photography.
Lorca di Corcia - Heads: People caught on the street deep in thought by photos being triggered by a wire that they stand on. A light would flash on them and catch them on camera.
Joel Meyerowitz - He gives no direction on where to look in the photos.
Thursday 30 October 2014
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Context of Practice: First things First
Instead of using the talent to promote more useful and worthwhile causes we use it for everyday essentials that perhaps don't need the design. It is set out to not destroy advertisement but its a reversal of priorities. There are too many advertisements these days they are just noise.
2000 is a broader reflection of the creative industries it is not just graphic designers like in 1964. They are trying to introduce it into schools so that when designers enter the real world they wouldn't fall into the trap. The first one was only published in the Guardian where as the 2000 was published in a lot broader range of magazines to get the attention of students and the people reading.
The 1964 is written as a dialogue to spark a debate and interest. Compared to the 2000 one which is more of an emergency to create a change. "Consumerism is running uncontested; it must be challenged by others perspectives expressed, in part, through the visual languages and resources of design." in the 2000 manifesto compared to the previous "We do not advocate the abolition of high pressure consumer advertising: this is not feasible. Nor do we want to take any of the fun out of life."
A much more ethical charge to the second manifesto .... coffee, cigarettes etc..
Ken Garland saw that America was abusing the right of advertising and were a head of us. He could see Britain going the same way. Britain had a lot of prosperity after the war, there was a sudden rise of consumerism as people began to have disposable income. It was never intended as a manifesto, which is what it has become seen as. He had it as a discussion to get people talking and thinking.
How deep rooted the problem is. We only learn about the commercial function of design.
A necessary part of the economy.
Underlying political system not in question.
The design decisions
Footnote 1 summary: The design should have a 'spirit' and should have a reason to be there other than selling. Released by Designers who were already campaigning for this cause. This just reiterated their own belief.
Footnote 2 summary: They weren't commercial designers so weren't making a stand but continuing their design style. Preaching to the crowd. Presenting a school of thought which previously existed as an innovative and new way of thinking. They as designers are in a situation where they can do what they want and not worry about the next pay check.
Footnote 3 summary: Look at the tools of Advertising as evil when actually they are the same tools that Graphic Design uses.
Footnote 4 summary: Who is to say what graphic design is!? why is the museum booklet graphic design and the dog food packaging not?
Footnote 5 summary: Hyperthermic needle theory - suggestion that they are a passive audience. They should be seen as people not a passive audience.
Footnote 6 summary: What if we withdrew from this space? If Designers decided not to design then it would be unpleasant. What is wrong with good design? surely we are better in a world where everything is designed nicely.
2000 is a broader reflection of the creative industries it is not just graphic designers like in 1964. They are trying to introduce it into schools so that when designers enter the real world they wouldn't fall into the trap. The first one was only published in the Guardian where as the 2000 was published in a lot broader range of magazines to get the attention of students and the people reading.
The 1964 is written as a dialogue to spark a debate and interest. Compared to the 2000 one which is more of an emergency to create a change. "Consumerism is running uncontested; it must be challenged by others perspectives expressed, in part, through the visual languages and resources of design." in the 2000 manifesto compared to the previous "We do not advocate the abolition of high pressure consumer advertising: this is not feasible. Nor do we want to take any of the fun out of life."
A much more ethical charge to the second manifesto .... coffee, cigarettes etc..
Ken Garland saw that America was abusing the right of advertising and were a head of us. He could see Britain going the same way. Britain had a lot of prosperity after the war, there was a sudden rise of consumerism as people began to have disposable income. It was never intended as a manifesto, which is what it has become seen as. He had it as a discussion to get people talking and thinking.
How deep rooted the problem is. We only learn about the commercial function of design.
A necessary part of the economy.
Underlying political system not in question.
The design decisions
Footnote 1 summary: The design should have a 'spirit' and should have a reason to be there other than selling. Released by Designers who were already campaigning for this cause. This just reiterated their own belief.
Footnote 2 summary: They weren't commercial designers so weren't making a stand but continuing their design style. Preaching to the crowd. Presenting a school of thought which previously existed as an innovative and new way of thinking. They as designers are in a situation where they can do what they want and not worry about the next pay check.
Footnote 3 summary: Look at the tools of Advertising as evil when actually they are the same tools that Graphic Design uses.
Footnote 4 summary: Who is to say what graphic design is!? why is the museum booklet graphic design and the dog food packaging not?
Footnote 5 summary: Hyperthermic needle theory - suggestion that they are a passive audience. They should be seen as people not a passive audience.
Footnote 6 summary: What if we withdrew from this space? If Designers decided not to design then it would be unpleasant. What is wrong with good design? surely we are better in a world where everything is designed nicely.
Thursday 23 October 2014
Web Theory - Marshall McLuhan: Tetrad
In Laws of Media (1988), McLuhan summarized his ideas about media in a concise tetrad of media effects. The tetrad is a means of examining the effects on society of any technology (i.e., any medium) by dividing its effects into four categories and displaying them simultaneously. McLuhan designed the tetrad as a pedagogical tool, phrasing his laws as questions with which to consider any medium:
What does the medium enhance?
What does the medium make obsolete?
What does the medium retrieve that had been obsolesced earlier?
What does the medium flip into when pushed to extremes?
The laws of the tetrad exist simultaneously, not successively or chronologically, and allow the questioner to explore the "grammar and syntax" of the "language" of media. McLuhan departs from his mentor Harold Innis in suggesting that a medium "overheats", or reverses into an opposing form, when taken to its extreme.
Visually, a tetrad can be depicted as four diamonds forming an X, with the name of a medium in the centre. The two diamonds on the left of a tetrad are the Enhancement and Retrieval qualities of the medium, both Figure qualities. The two diamonds on the right of a tetrad are the Obsolescence andReversal qualities, both Ground qualities.
A blank tetrad diagram
Using the example of radio:
Enhancement (figure): What the medium amplifies or intensifies. Radio amplifies news and music via sound.
Obsolescence (ground): What the medium drives out of prominence. Radio reduces the importance of print and the visual.
Retrieval (figure): What the medium recovers which was previously lost. Radio returns the spoken word to the forefront.
Reversal (ground): What the medium does when pushed to its limits. Acoustic radio flips into audio-visual TV.
Figure and ground
McLuhan adapted the Gestalt psychology idea of a figure and a ground, which underpins the meaning of "The medium is the message." He used this concept to explain how a form of communications technology, the medium or figure, necessarily operates through its context, or ground.
McLuhan believed that in order to grasp fully the effect of a new technology, one must examine figure (medium) and ground (context) together, since neither is completely intelligible without the other. McLuhan argued that we must study media in their historical context, particularly in relation to the technologies that preceded them. The present environment, itself made up of the effects of previous technologies, gives rise to new technologies, which, in their turn, further affect society and individuals.
All technologies have embedded within them their own assumptions about time and space. The message which the medium conveys can only be understood if the medium and the environment in which the medium is used—and which, simultaneously, it effectively creates—are analysed together. He believed that an examination of the figure-ground relationship can offer a critical commentary on culture and society.
Context of Practice - Lecture Three: Identity
Phrenology is a pseudoscience primarily focused on measurements of the human skull, based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that certain brain areas have localized, specific functions or modules.
Physiognomy is the assessment of a person's character or personality from his or her outer appearance, especially the face.
The closer to the vertical your brow, chin and nose is then the more intelligent you are. It is used to legitimise racism with stereotypical facial features.
Cesare Lombroso founder of Positivist Criminology - the notion that criminal tendencies are inherited.
Chris Ofili, Holy Virgin Mary 1996
Huge uproar at the audacity that the Virgin mary may have been black.
Pre Modern Identity - personal identity is stable - defined by long standing roles.
Institutions determined identity for example church, marriage etc... You are stuck in your identity. If you are a farm worker then you work for the land gentry, If you are a housewife you are entered into a patriarchy society.
Modern Identity - modern societies begin to offer a wider range of social roles. The immergance of modern identities. In the 19th and early 20th Century. Charles Baudelaire - The painter of Modern Life (1863) He introduces the concept of 'flaneur' our translation of that is the gentleman-stroller. Ending in 'eur' showing its a mans world, he never writes about a female version.
Veblen - ' Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure' Being obvious with your spending, showing wealth and your class. Having a MAC showing wealth that you can afford one.
Simmel - Trickle down theory is an economic phenomenon whereby low-income groups benefit indirectly from the accumulation of wealth of those having higher incomes; that is, the income is said to "trickle down" from the rich to the poor. This phenomenon happens as a result of economic growth. For example, the rich make investments to enhance their wealth, and those investments can generate new jobs. In sociology the trickle-down effect defines the process by which the lower class emulates the lifestyle of the upper class in an effort to elevate its status. We notice what they are wearing and mimic them so that we also seem rich, they then change their outfits and we follow.
Physiognomy is the assessment of a person's character or personality from his or her outer appearance, especially the face.
The closer to the vertical your brow, chin and nose is then the more intelligent you are. It is used to legitimise racism with stereotypical facial features.
Cesare Lombroso founder of Positivist Criminology - the notion that criminal tendencies are inherited.
Huge uproar at the audacity that the Virgin mary may have been black.
Pre Modern Identity - personal identity is stable - defined by long standing roles.
Institutions determined identity for example church, marriage etc... You are stuck in your identity. If you are a farm worker then you work for the land gentry, If you are a housewife you are entered into a patriarchy society.
Modern Identity - modern societies begin to offer a wider range of social roles. The immergance of modern identities. In the 19th and early 20th Century. Charles Baudelaire - The painter of Modern Life (1863) He introduces the concept of 'flaneur' our translation of that is the gentleman-stroller. Ending in 'eur' showing its a mans world, he never writes about a female version.
Veblen - ' Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure' Being obvious with your spending, showing wealth and your class. Having a MAC showing wealth that you can afford one.
Simmel - Trickle down theory is an economic phenomenon whereby low-income groups benefit indirectly from the accumulation of wealth of those having higher incomes; that is, the income is said to "trickle down" from the rich to the poor. This phenomenon happens as a result of economic growth. For example, the rich make investments to enhance their wealth, and those investments can generate new jobs. In sociology the trickle-down effect defines the process by which the lower class emulates the lifestyle of the upper class in an effort to elevate its status. We notice what they are wearing and mimic them so that we also seem rich, they then change their outfits and we follow.
It is now thought to be a bubble up theory. For example poorer people having ripped jeans out of necessity, Then designer brands creating ripped jeans.
Post Modern Identity - 'Discourse Analysis' Identity is constructed out of the discourse culturally available to us.
Possible Discourses - age, class, race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.
Humphrey Spender/ Mass Observation, Worktown Project 1937. Posh Londoners who decide to document life. They go to Bolton. They don't need to work, they can just go and observe peoples lives it shows how wealthy they are.
Interior of the pub the guy is not saying hello he is warning them to leave.
A screen showing of A midsummers nights dream could be seen that actually they arent that cultured by the amount of empty seats.
Two Children look like they are playing but it is actually chicken feet - implying playing with leftovers from last nights dinner, not many toys etc...
Martin Parr, Ascot
The lower class pretending to fit in with the upper class.
Monday 20 October 2014
The Designer That I Am - Study Task 01: Symbolic Interactionist Theories of Identity
Today we went through the reading which we were set last week. It looked at both Sheldon Strykers Identity Theory in 1980 and George J. McCall and J. L. Simmons Theory of Identity.
Strykers view focused more on how the 'self' is changed by the environment in which it is immersed, "culture and social structure designate many of the identities held by the individuals". Where as McCall and Simmons theory see's the identity as improvised and created by the individual in order to realise and achieve their various goals and plans.
Strykers theory works around the concept that everything is dictated by an external structure. A structure which is created out of lots of different connected sections. The structures can be rigid or flexible, depending on the group of people depends on the leeway which the individual has in the character role. "...individuals designate themselves as objects in relation to their location in structural positions" The identity of the individual is objective allowing them to view the situation without seeing themselves in it. By making themselves an object they can have a better gage of how others in the group behave and then mimic this behaviour until it becomes habitual. By seeing others conform and receive extrinsic rewards for such behaviour it reinforces the type of behaviour expected and the individual then adopts a complimentary role.
On the other hand McCall and Simmons theory of identity is more subjective. You create the role for the place in society that you want to be in. "Role identity constitutes an imaginative view of oneself in a position, often a rather idealised view of oneself." A portion of this idealised view has links to the social structure and positioning as well as a fragment in the individuals imagination. Although they confirm the role they have chosen in their head they also need confirmation from other individuals for it to feel like a legitimate role. Even though they need a level of approval from individuals, they value self criticism as more important. They allow for a lack of approval from others and use several coping mechanisms which allows them to keep preforming their chosen role.
Both these theories can be related to graphic design in different ways. A Design can, like an individual, change its identity around different people to attract the most people. Certain characteristics attract one group of people which would not apply to another group, however just like a person can fit in with more than one social group so can a design. Different design aspects will appear prominent to different people, for example a child's toy could seem fun and exciting to the child but at the same time the parent could view it more as an educational product. The graphic design allows different things to stand out to the right people.
When Designing you should design for who the buyer aspires to be rather than who they are. They would only buy a product to enhance themselves to their 'ideal self' if they were not already there. This is much like McCall and Simmons theory where the individual creates a role which allows them to play the idealised idea of them self. They would buy the product to live up to their imaginative role. This really constructs an artificial identity which people would buy into.
Strykers view focused more on how the 'self' is changed by the environment in which it is immersed, "culture and social structure designate many of the identities held by the individuals". Where as McCall and Simmons theory see's the identity as improvised and created by the individual in order to realise and achieve their various goals and plans.
Strykers theory works around the concept that everything is dictated by an external structure. A structure which is created out of lots of different connected sections. The structures can be rigid or flexible, depending on the group of people depends on the leeway which the individual has in the character role. "...individuals designate themselves as objects in relation to their location in structural positions" The identity of the individual is objective allowing them to view the situation without seeing themselves in it. By making themselves an object they can have a better gage of how others in the group behave and then mimic this behaviour until it becomes habitual. By seeing others conform and receive extrinsic rewards for such behaviour it reinforces the type of behaviour expected and the individual then adopts a complimentary role.
On the other hand McCall and Simmons theory of identity is more subjective. You create the role for the place in society that you want to be in. "Role identity constitutes an imaginative view of oneself in a position, often a rather idealised view of oneself." A portion of this idealised view has links to the social structure and positioning as well as a fragment in the individuals imagination. Although they confirm the role they have chosen in their head they also need confirmation from other individuals for it to feel like a legitimate role. Even though they need a level of approval from individuals, they value self criticism as more important. They allow for a lack of approval from others and use several coping mechanisms which allows them to keep preforming their chosen role.
Both these theories can be related to graphic design in different ways. A Design can, like an individual, change its identity around different people to attract the most people. Certain characteristics attract one group of people which would not apply to another group, however just like a person can fit in with more than one social group so can a design. Different design aspects will appear prominent to different people, for example a child's toy could seem fun and exciting to the child but at the same time the parent could view it more as an educational product. The graphic design allows different things to stand out to the right people.
When Designing you should design for who the buyer aspires to be rather than who they are. They would only buy a product to enhance themselves to their 'ideal self' if they were not already there. This is much like McCall and Simmons theory where the individual creates a role which allows them to play the idealised idea of them self. They would buy the product to live up to their imaginative role. This really constructs an artificial identity which people would buy into.
Thursday 9 October 2014
Context of Practice - Lecture One: The Gaze and The Media
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Hans Memling 'Vanity' 1485
Because she is looking at herself it gives others permission to also look at her. Our permission to gave only really has power when she doesn't gaze back.
Alexandre Cabanel 'Birth of Venus' 1863
No eye contact, reclining pose. We can look uninterupted at the woman
"You give her a mirror in her hand and call it vanity, so you can also look at her"
Puts you in the position of a peeping tom. Seeing her in a private moment but with permission shown by her facial expression.
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Manets' 'Olympia' 1863
more direct look saying I know you are there. The hand is direct and firm rather than the previously passive hand. She is a prostitute the flowers and bangles are a gift from customers. She challenges your gaze.
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Hands are saying I'm ready to serve you. The angle of the mirror is inaccurate, you wouldn't see the front and back of her but this is done so you see the viewer in the top right. A much looser brush style painting.
"if a body can be seen as an object then it can be disposed like one"
The Seven Year Itch (1955) - Marilyn wasn't shown as a whole woman but was shown as different parts e.g feet walking... The woman is an accessory to the plot of the man.
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