Recycling posters - Research and review

I have done abit of research into existing posters which promote and encourage recycling and I have found some varied results. Quite alot aren't very artistic and are just crammed with information.

"Minimum means, Maximum Meaning" - Abram Games

In order to create an effective graphic design poster to encourage recycling, I must make something as simple as possible but gets across the best message.

Out of both these posters I think the one on the left image wise and text wise. It is just a simple image on a simple background with simple facts centred down the image. No over complication or lies, Just the truth.

The one on the right has the best title of the two with the alliterative caption and meaningful heading but the urgency of recycling is not portrayed in the type on the poster. It is very rounded and happy as if it is an invitation to a children's party, not to combat environmental issues. In order for this kind of poster to be successful, it needs a strong bold striking title and an easy to digest subheading below an equally striking image. Possibly the effects of global warming or the very real impact not recycling has on the planet.

Out of all the posters I have seen, this is probably my favourite and has changed my opinion mid-blog on what a recycling poster should have. It can be sharp and bitter and almost scare the reader into recycling or it can utilise humour to get the point across and still make an impact. And this is what the above poster does. The combination of bold type, witty wording and childish yet stylish imagery all makes out for a balanced and most importantly, effective graphic design poster. I will experiment with both kinds of poster and see which achieves the best results. 

The poster as a whole isn't that complex at all and the background was clearly drawn freehand and scanned in to photoshop for editing and colour addition. The way both sides blend together and balance against each other is very well deigned. and the fact that the trees and hills are almost numbed down with the vibrance of the boxes and type mean it isn't too in your face which means it can be colourful and fun while still staying very professional.

This one uses very back to basics type in that it doesn't make use of any play on words or imagery. it's just said how it is, However the part of the poster which does speak is the image. It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words and this one certainly does. The one image of a grandfather and granddaughter embracing one another in the outdoors is one that without actually saying anything, it gets the message across loud and clear. That even though we might not care too much about our future as we'll be dead before the effects of global warming and littering are drastic, our loved ones will be. And it is for them that we must do our bit to help and get this Earth back on track.

It is made with a photograph of a grandfather and his grandchild and then the horizon line has been blurred so the centre images of the people and the boat look sharper than before. The type on the top has been set to neutral colours with the sky so although they are similar colours amongst the clouds and sky, It is still very much readable. The banner with the type on the bottom is added as without the banner, The text within would be lost. With the addition of that banner not only does it make the type readable, It also balances out the poster horizontally. The image is then balanced vertically as well with the addition of the oar in hand to counteract the boat. In my poster, I will try to make sure that my poster is balanced both vertically and horizontally.

This poster contains no imagery, only type. And in my opinion it is just as effective. The quote is quite striking and the colouring gets brighter and stands out more as the quote gets more meaningful. As a poster to encourage people to treat the Earth well, It is good. But for me, I would prefer an image on my poster, on this one it wouldn't work but on my own design, simply type will not do on it's own.

None of the language in any of the reviewed posters is particularly hard to swallow, as on this matter having complex and unnecessarily undigestible language would hinder the effectiveness of encouraging people to recycle.

The next stage in this process for me will be to actually go out in to the environment and observe the large scale littering and tipping and to sketch what I see. Then I think I will also sketch objects which are renowned for thier usefullness and try to combine the two in one drawing. I will then experiment with different media's and techniques such as photography, prints, photoshop and anything which may or may not be get the message across. And on this I have provided a list of what my poster MUST include:

. A clear, bold message.

. An image or photograph that is seen as striking/thought provoking.

. A very short and sweet paragraph about recycling.

. The recycling logo.

20th December 2010

Jamarch

Live project proposal

The environment is something that is all around us. Something we can’t escape anywhere. It is quite literally everything we do, everywhere we go and the air that we breathe we in. Therefore research and inspiration for this project can be found simply by observing the world around us.  And litter is an immediate problem we see, so to create a poster to discourage people from littering should be relatively simple to brainstorm but relatively hard to execute, as all of us have witnessed littering and felt we should make a difference but then littered ourselves and regretted it.

To start I have decided to research into contemporary environmental artists and I have found a couple of artists who work using only natural products and I quite like the effects produced by them. One of them being Andy Goldsworthy, who makes his work in and from nature. Often he photographs the sculptures and brings them back to galleries.

I think I will experiment with the morphing of useless litter into artistic pieces that make environmental sense.  When the project officially begins I will research into more oil paintings and photo manipulated work on the matter as I enjoy working in this manner. If not, I will attempt sculpting and using natural products so it ties with the project on a more meaningful level.

20th December 2010

Jamarch

Evaluation of Blog Project.

For the past month in college I have started using blogs to keep track of and showcase my work, inspirations, and mainly to begin to get used to regular blogging. Blogging appears to be the way forward in both education and industry and for a young designer, such as myself, having and utilising a blog is ideal as it is similar to having a back up of your work and influences on the Internet in case some damaging circumstances may happen to my computer. Personally, I believe a blog is a very effective and useful thing to possess as if need be, I can use it as an online portfolio for universities or work in the Graphic design industry. And even though this project may be finished, I will carry on blogging to carry my online presence and present my work as it will be healthy to receive feedback from a neutral audience.


However, with the advantages of blogging come some major disadvantages. As Google blogger is quite a simple blogging site to use, there are many who aren't talented designers who still get their work on the Internet in the whole freedom of speech pa-lava. This can be very frustrating as when I wish to search for work which may entertain or inspire me I can often be met with the mindless rantings of an uneducated moron. That aside, Some of the aspects of the blogging process can also be relatively irritating. When inserting images into my posts trying to get them aligned is often an inevitable failure. They just won't for try after try after try and then once almost numbed with boredom it will decide to work.

Through this drawbacks I will still continue blogging as I enjoy the process of Work, post, feedback.
It helps me gain feedback where I normally would not recieve it and I will continue blogging for this reason.

13th December 2010
Jamarch

FUDGEGRAPHICS - Inspiration.

Fudge Graphics showed a collection of Matthias Heiderich's work in November and at the sight of it I knew I had to look further into how it is done and where the photo's are taken.

The colours and contrasts in his photography are very calming and just browsing through his pictures can be a relaxing experience. The colours are never too vibrant always slightly dulled down, so the picture flows together nicely.
http://www.behance.net/massju

13th December 2010
Jamarch

Ronald Mcdonald - Art'us Mc'good'us

 I was searching for interesting drawings and paintings based on Ronald Mcdonald and I stumbled on these 3 which are my favourite of thier kind. 

I like the fact that anyone can take an idea and percieve it however they want. The basis of Ronald Mcdonald is a very vague one and can be turned as either a cheerful or a menacing image depending on the artist. I may experiment with this by doing some drawings with a vague basis and twist it into different perceptions.

13th December 2010

Jamarch

Ape on the moon - Latest artwork

This is the latest post on the blog I am following titled 'Ape on the moon'.

Prolific sketcher Thomas Barwick works predominantly with pens, brushes and ink, and describes himself as ‘an ink nerd’! There is a wealth of texture in his sketchy style, which is pleasingly un-refined. His scenes are busy but clear, and I love how his striking use of colour lifts his images.

13th December 2010

Jamarch

Festival of Britain - Exhibition, Domestic life in the 50's and a weird kitten.

The Festival of Britain was a national exhibition which opened in London and around Britain in May 1951. The official opening was on 3 May. The principal exhibition site was on the South Bank Site, London of the River Thames near Waterloo Station. Other exhibitions were held in Poplar, East London (Architecture), Battersea Park (The Festival Gardens), South Kensington (Science) and the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow (Industrial Power) as well as travelling exhibitions that toured Britain by land and sea. Outside London major festivals took place in Cardiff, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Perth, Bournemouth, York, Aldeburgh, Inverness, Cheltenham, Oxford and other centres.
At that time, shortly after the end of World War II, much of London was still in ruins and redevelopment was badly needed. The Festival was an attempt to give Britons a feeling of recovery and progress and to promote better-quality design in the rebuilding of British towns and cities following the war. The Festival also celebrated the centenary of the 1851 Great Exhibition. It was the brainchild of Gerald Barry and the Labour Deputy Leader Herbert Morrison who described it as "a tonic for the nation".

Well, That's the information I found on it anyway. I wish I was alive at the time to experience it but alas, That is not the case.





And because it rhymed with 'Britain' and 'Exhibiton', I found this intriguing image of a kitten:

It has no relevance but this painting titled ' Strange eyed pussy' was found on http://kandieklicke.wordpress.com and I like how something relatively normal can be transformed into something very weird very easily.

12th December 2010

Jamarch

Google reading, reading, reading, read.

Here is a screenshot as evidence of the blogs I am following through Google Reader. These are also the blogs I am following on Blogger.

There's not much more I can say on top of that. 

Sausage.

5th December 2010

Jamarch

Blogs which intrigue me, and may or may not intrigue you.

http://apeonthemoon.com/

This is an illustration blog by Katherine Holt which features illustrative and graphic design work which I for one particularly enjoy. By the name alone I could tell I would be interested before I'd even seen the work shown. The simplistic design of the title and layout is very appealing to me as it allows the posts and images on the posts to stand out and cause more of a visual impact. The logo at the top is literally an ape. On the moon. Mind blowing to say the least.

http://www.illustrophile.com/

This blog is also an illustrative blog and I have chosen to include two as the areas that interest me most at the moment are animation and illustration. It is designed and posted in by a large group of illustrators and graphic designs and the the enthusiasm in thier posts and the work on show is what attracts me to it. I would prefer to be viewing and watching a blog in which the type and wording represents the person writing it and not just manufactured copy/pasted dribble. I like it. I like it alot.

http://thefoxisblack.com/

This is a general design blog which includes Graphic design, Typography, illustration and many other forms of Art and graphics. The mellow background doesn't detract from the articles in the slightest as it is not vibrant at all and all colours on the page are neutral colours. I love the way the title is on the top right and almost becomes part of the background. And the work featured on it is very varied so when ever I go on I won't know what to expect. The element of surprise is a good one.

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/category/photoshop-tutorial/

This is a blog which focuses on tutorials on different photoshop effects and design techniques. I am not following this blog for the layout or any posts they are making as I personally think it's bland and I dislike it. The tips featured however could keep me occupied for a very long time and I could keep referring back to it and dwell in the archives picking up how to do impressive things on photoshop.

http://www.fudgegraphics.com/

This blog features tutorials and inspiration for general lovers of graphic design. The first thing I notice when I open it is the background and title. The fading design from the top into greyness is possibly my favorite background I have seen in the blogs I have researched. The content is very nice the majority of the time with the exception of some of the tutorials which I am not keen on however, I am following hongkiat for that purpose so if I mentally erase them on FudgeGraphics I will take in what I want to.

2nd December 2010
Jamarch

Klaxons album covers - Photomontage

Both of these images are album covers by the Indie band 'Klaxons'.

I was originally drawn to them because of thier music and I am a huge fan but after research into them and purchasing both of thier albums I am also a fan of the artwork used on the covers of both.

Both of them showcase two very different but effective forms of photomontage and I enjoy them for that very reason. The top is an effort made on photomontage and flows as if it were an actual image of an astronaught cat. While the bottom is made to look retro in a photomontage pasted together style, Still very eye-catching.

I love music. I love art.

26th November 2010

Jamarch