blog 7

The thought of propaganda brings two posters to mind. The first is “Rosie the Riveter” and the second is “Uncle Sam wants you.” I feel these two posters were very well designed because they have been able to withstand the test of time, in searching the internet for the images I came across “Eat more cottage cheese.” I feel my grandparents and other alive at that time would even remember that poster. Both Rosie and Same are a character and saying against negative space, this helps draw the viewer’s eye to the person and the message. The color choices for these posters are also very significant, Sam is composed of red, white and blue meant to evoke a sense of patriotism. Rosie’s bright yellow background is meant to draw in a viewer and provide contrast from her blue coveralls, drawing the viewer to her uniform. Both characters faces are very somber, these expressions inspire feeling of resistance of the enemy as well as strength. Some have also argued Rosie’s exposed bicep is meant to magnify these feelings of strength since at that time a woman was automatically deemed somewhat weak. These posters are illustrations of how something that appears simplistic on the surface actually brings a lot of meaning in what is present as well as what is not present.

Thought generated from blog 6

I feel that Emil Ruder make a great point in discussing the connection between typefaces and foreign languages. I believe this to also be true about the characters a foreign language uses. The specific example it brought to mind for me is several years ago products with Chinese characters on them became very popular and many people began getting them as tattoos. When asked what these characters meant they would respond love, hope, peace, tranquility, or some other Zen like utterance. When accused of conforming to popularity many would argue these words were a personal motto. I would argue that if these were in fact a personal motto why would they not have it written in their native characters? Would that not be more personal that a foreign language? I feel these words gained much of their significance and meaning from the fact they were Chinese, a culture associated with enlightenment, Zen practice and intelligence. Also feel the flowing lines and brush strokes lend significance. The characters look painstakingly thought out unlike our native standard Times New Roman lettering. I feel that the connotation a language and its typeface or written language gives of what is being read adds a great deal of the implicit message. For example if you got a business memo written in a script like font you would be much less inclined to take it seriously and might even mock it to coworkers.

Blog 6

This typeface is based on North American Fingerspelling. One does not see this typeface often but as someone involved in the Deaf community it is one I see quite often. While it would be too rough on the eyes to type a paper or article in this font it is used to show readers that this text is from someone who is knowledgeable about deafness, signing and American Sign Language, ASL. This font carries a lot of meaning because of its connection to the Deaf community. Relatively speaking the Deaf community is still new. Many people do not understand the members identity or struggles because they as seen as fellow Americans. This is why many people who see this font associate it with someone who understands. I picked up a professional publication I receive and gave it a quick look many of the ads in this publication use some variation on this font as part of or in addition to their symbols. They use this to help grab our attention because they know as people working in this field our eyes will gravitate to it. This is also true for a not for profit agency I work for who works for the deaf. Our logo (it is a four letter monogram) it is print as well as in this type face. This serves two functions, to make us appealing to our clientele, and to make sure they clients clearly know what the card is for since many have trouble connecting signs and letters. For this community the use of this font evokes feelings of connection.

blog 1 correction

One more thing about the picture for blog 1, I must have missed it when I was cutting a pasting. That picture is the sign for art. The white streak signifies the hands movement in creating this sign.

blog 5

I think Bruce Mau’s sixth tenant, capture accidents would be the most helpful to me. I have never had any formal art training but I do craft. Often I will find a mistake in my knitting or crocheting that no one would know unless they inspected it and new the pattern. Yet I still can not leave it there, I will rip out row after row to remove the mistake. I think it would be interesting to see how a project turned out if I didn’t try to stick so closely to the pattern. Even if I decide to make up a project I will take parts from other patterns and agonize about the small parts I make up and if they fit the pattern I am basing it off of. I also feel this may be a reason I am not involved in more classical forms of art. If I try and paint something I will obsess over the small line I feel I have crossed instead of just embracing it and moving on. I feel that it is ruined before it is even half done. I think is why I prefer my crafts, because they are not as permanent as other forms of art. Yarn or thread can be pulled out, scrapbook pictures can be laid out first and pulled up and repositioned. I think I need to take some risk and let the mistakes fall where they may!

blog 2

On HillmanCurtis.com there is a film about Milton Glasser. He feels that design united people, in that if they both like something they have something in common. This common interest helps to unite them and makes them less likely to hate each other. He feels art gives people the opportunity to open themselves to others because they are all connected by a common experience. Glasser feels his graphic design is a form of social commentary because it is depended on the audience and the time in which it made and will be its most relevant. He also feels working in the arts provides him with the constant opportunity to learn from the world around him. Glasser is thankful he is still interested in his work and that it and the world around him continues to astonish him.

Blog 1

The function of this photo is to show the beauty of signed language. It was used for the poster of a deaf art exhibit.

Design is the method in which one goes about creating a form, as well as the result of this process. Design may be the arrangement of items or fixtures for the purpose of aesthetics or function. Design may also be the physical appearance of a form after creation, such as wallpaper.

Culture is the beliefs, goals, rituals, language, and history shared among a group of people.

Language is a systematic means of communication using of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks with an agreed upon meanings.

Design, culture and language all influence the other. Our designs are influence by how we live our lives. For example homes are designed differently in the US than in Japan. Design influences language because art and design have their own specific vocabulary which may not work in other context. Many cultures have a focal vocabulary where words to describe things that are important in their culture, for example the Inuit Indians have many words to describe snow because it is an important part of their survival. Languages can also influence design. The Deaf community has their own form or art which is great influenced by their native language of ASL and their struggle to have it accepted as a language. (See above) Culture can be influenced by art as well. The American education system includes art as a requirement in general education for many reasons, in part because it gives us a picture to how cultures wee different in the past.