Persons of Note - Tadanori Yokoo! 

I have seen his works and a friend of mine gave me a sticker of one of his posters, though I never exactly thoroughly look through his practice. Though the artwork that caught my attention was this poster: 

'Diary of a Shinjuku Burglar' 1968.
Silk screen. 99.7 x 71.1 cm

• The colours and (visual) information in the poster was what grabbed my attention. Aside from its rather obscene content, his works are generally crowded and packed with imagery. 

• I could see a pop-psychedelic aesthetic throughout his works. Though I also quite like how they are screen printed and you could see the different tones. I suppose it all creates this analog (what am I saying, obviously. I don't think Photoshop existed then), vintage aesthetic. 

'This is America'. 1968. Offset Lithograph.
72.7 x 51.4 cm

'Once Upon a Time' 1996. Silkscreen.
102.9 x 71.8 cm

Thoughts

• Looking at Yokoo's work, the content is very impactful and in one way or another, gets the message across. I quite like his social commentaries and relation to the community/Japanese culture, as his statements leaves an impression and it makes the audience try to decipher his intentions (at least that is how I felt)

•  His use of collaging, symbolisms and text are quite effective (and the bright, contrasting colours as well). Though at times I feel that his work is slapped directly 'in-your-face' and forthright, though I suppose that is what makes his posters well-known and distinct.

• Personally, I think that his artworks are very loud - it isn't something I'd generally approach within my own practice. But there is something about his work that interests me, perhaps it is the vibe and vintage, pop aesthetics? I also thought that it is refreshing to see something different and I do want to know other practices/tone of voice (since I am still trying to figure out my own).

Source: 

http://www.tadanoriyokoo.com/index.html

https://www.moma.org/artists/6502?locale=en

Visual Language - York trip!

It was a really great day + trip. 

Some of my sketches

Thoughts

•  I honestly think that observational drawing isn't a simple task. Though could I just say that there is something therapeutic about sitting and simply sketching whatever lies before you with no distraction whatsoever and direct all your attention to drawing.

• I personally think that observational drawing is quite difficult, in terms of visually capturing the subject and I tend to always think of needing to draw something representational. However it is that moment when you have to decided whether some elements were necessary or if it's alright to leave out. What I thought I still lacked within my observational drawings are: 1. communicating the atmosphere/mood 2. my own town of voice.

SYNECDOCHES? NEW BRIEF! 

Mountains - the logo for AQUA

quick roughs

Did it after my favourite water? (we can't drink the tap water
in Indonesia). The brand being -AQUA. It became a new word
when talking about water. For instance, if I go to a restaurant,
I would ask for AQUA (even if the brand was different) and not mineral water,
yet the waiters would understand me.

Thoughts

• It was both an interesting and challenging task. It took me a while to actually get my head around the idea of synecdoches. Though after we were briefed on the new project, it made more sense.

• I suppose it is quite challenging in terms of capturing/visually communicating an idea or a subject based on its elements and characteristics. I suppose generally, I still can't nail down the skill in effectively communicating through my designs. I have a lot to say or that it is quite content heavy, yet it doesn't show as an image/illustration (?)

• With this upcoming brief, I am actually really excited about it and it feels like a full circle and being able to implement the things I have learnt. 

• I would also look forward to more of the 'designing' and problem solving aspect of it, even as challenging as it is, I find that it is something essential in terms of creating work that isn't purely aesthetics but actually hold essence/meaning.

ACTS OF KINDNESS - Final designs

Final final design

Feedbacks 

Honestly, I don't think I would act upon some of the suggestions, though it is something worth reflecting upon. Though it helped me decide on which design to use as the final one.

• colour scheme/palette very striking and suits the concept

• the text might be too small, hard to read (which I totally agree!)

• a bit too busy or crowded - text could be reduced (The patterned ones, I feel that it is also too crowded and there is just a lot going on)

• the message is essential! (Though perhaps it might be vague. some people still don't get it)

• trying to fit a lot into small space. Could I simplify them? I feel that if I were to simplify the final design further, it wouldn't exactly make sense/too vague.

Thoughts

• What it was like working with shapes and Illustrator? Frustrating (Illustrator in particular). It is a good approach to create clear and concise images and content. Though it can be difficult in terms of being selective on what you want to communicate

• There is a joy to visually communicate a concept/message through simple and minimal design 

• Though I found it hard to communicate at the same time make the subject seem interesting or easy to understand. I suppose that was the main challenge for me, as well as being able to design and solve a problem.

• I would also say that it was quite a challenge to put our own tone of voice/aesthetic through this approach. 

• Though I feel that the sticker designs do not exactly reflect my practice. I can't say much as to what my 'practice' is since I am still uncertain what it is. However, I feel that the message and content is something that I have been looking at throughout the course, particularly in COP. 

ACTS OF KINDNESS - More planning

wording/phrasing. still not right.

Castlefield Gallery - ...in Dark Times. Bex Isley. 

Thoughts

• Recently, I visited the Castlefield Gallery and saw several interesting artworks. I thought that it was really helpful as the artworks shown reflected upon current society and the modern culture.

• I have decided on using the pill/medication concept as it seem to work best in terms of communicating 'social pressure'. However, I might need to work on the composition. I am still conflicted between something patterned or a simple, yet clear shape. 

• Though I feel that for this rather complex concept, something simple and concise would work best as it would be easier to understand (clarity).

• Though my current worry is that with the simplicity and minimal design, I'm sure if what I am visually depicting is effective enough/thoroughly communicates the message. I honestly thought that this was the most frustrating challenge from this brief (visually communicating through just simple shapes is harder than I thought)

ACTS OF KINDNESS - Trying out with illustrator

Getting a hang of using shapes/vectors

This looks like a plant/animal cell

Quite plain? But simplicity is good.

Thoughts

• I might want to use more striking colours and contrasting ones, something that would catch people's attention. Though I may still keep this colour palette. I quite like the brightness of it as it juxtaposes the darker content/meaning of it.

• Instead of the 'sheep' or the 'pear' idea, I thought of pills or medication. I thought that it would be a more suitable symbol in terms of conveying 'addiction' or 'supplement' for one's life -similar in terms of the current nature of people and the digital world/social networking sites. 

• Though I might need to consider the wording and see which works best in terms of communicating the concept.

ACTS OF KINDNESS - Development/inspirations

KEY WORDS

- courage

- no is okay

- don't be a sheep

- do what you want! 

- do you! Just do you!

"...in life a genre is a trap, just  like music because you 
become an idiot as soon as you're tied down there (a trend/society)" - DO YOU, Rapmon (Kim Namjoon)

"Pear pressure" Get it? Haha.
(shouldn't joke about this though)

"Don't be a sheep?"

 

Hogu - Giriboy

• Lately I have been inspired by Korean music videos (the niche/indie artists). I just love the effort they but in their videos and the aesthetics of it. Somehow the colours, composition juxtaposes the content heavy lyrics. 

• Though the simplicity and use of retro props brings out the post-modern aesthetics. I like the contrast of digital culture aesthetics and old, antique items/themes. 

• I find it interesting that music has been inspiring me lately. I suppose it may because of the fact that I constantly listen/watch it. Though I want to try and look beyond the computer screen and see things around me instead. I feel that I have been quite constricted within the internet/digital world.