So my concept for this project is to implement rules onto postmodern graphic designs, namely those of April Greiman who I believe truly embodies the postmodern view of relativity and rejection of a single design style in her work. In our current postmodern society, people are starting to lose a sense of their identity due to many factors which I have elaborated on in my previous post, and I especially relate to that. Metamodernism is a reaction to the ambiguity of postmodernism, and seeks to bring back modern rules/positions in search of an ideal which may or may not exist. Thus I will begin the 12 squares with postmodern designs influenced by April Greiman, and after gradually applying rules/guidelines to these designs an image of my self/identity will emerge. The squares will also be arranged in a linear fashion instead of the recommended 3×4 as it better conveys the flow/change in designs.
EXTROVERT:
This square conveys my extrovert/noisy side, as seen from the messy composition consisting of numerous colours with random textures. The colour gradient in the background is also altered to increase the contrast (such as having purple next to yellow etc). Random images are scattered throughout the square and the text symbolises my ‘noisier’ thoughts, which race around in my head. Other examples of colour contrast used here include green text with red pixelation around on the left and the pink rectangle with green surroundings, and the general haphazard colour scheme is an insight to my extrovert side.
INTROVERT:
This shows my introvert side, conveyed through simple compositions and a basic colour scheme of blue/yellow and pink which not only are April Greiman’s most commonly used colours but also are highly complimentary. The use of this basic triad colour scheme also evokes a peaceful feeling as they seem to go so well together. The text is also smaller and communicates how I feel when wanting to be alone. Blue is the main colour here to represent the peacefulness I feel when alone.
Extrovert + Introvert = ME
The main emotion conveyed here is chaos, which results when the opposite sides mentioned above come together. Many random colours/textures collide here to show the incompatilibity of my quiet and noisy side, which is further enhanced through the use of an orange background to convey a wild chaos/confusion. The many elements are also carefully layered on top of my face, revealing only the forehead, which symbolises the lack of identity I feel due to my incompatible personalities. This square also highlights the postmodern denial of a single truth and rules (such as that opposite traits shouldn’t exist together) and begins the search for an identity.
THINKS TOO MUCH:
To represent the wide variety of things that I think about on a daily basis I have placed many different coloured graphics in a messy way around the centre, similar to that of a colour wheel. Here I have also begun to implement rules in the design, namely making the typography neater and sticking to one font. The colours light blue and purple are chosen for the text as that range expresses thinking, and has sufficient contrast to allow the text to stand out amidst the confusing background. If you look closely you can see a small image of my face hidden beneath the text box, thus showing that as I implement rules/defining myself a ‘picture’ of me begins to emerge.
NEGATIVE THINKING:
From my research on colour I learnt that dark colours recede and warm ones seem to advance, hence my choice of dark purple for the background and bright yellow for the text for increased contrast. This contrast immediately draws attention to the main text, which spells out my main negative qualities, and it reflects my extreme pessimism at times where I only focus on the ugly/bad aspects. The graphics in the background also seem to be drowned out, along with the grey text at the top which lists some of my positive traits. The grey text is in stark contrast both in size and colour to the main ‘negative’ text to enhance the pessimist narrative, and at the top right hand corner a bigger picture of my face emerges, where flaws such as acne are highlighted.
Thinking too much – Negative thinking = A BETTER ME (PEACE OF MIND)
Light blue is the dominant colour here to express the resultant peacefulness I would feel if I were to weed out negative thinking from my inquisitive mind, and the middle trapezium also seems to ‘block out’ the noisy background. The background borrows not only the same colour (orange) but also elements from the first ‘ME’ composition to highlight the progression/growth of my character. The colour contrast in the main text is a little different here than in print as I designed it using the CMYK scheme, but nevertheless the use of light blue and slightly dull yellow is used to convey peace/contentment.
TIME MANAGEMENT:
A split complementary colour scheme of red/orange/blue-green is used here to convey how urgent this particular skill is needed (thus the dominant use of orange in a similar fashion to that of warning signs etc) and also the delicate act of managing a busy schedule well (matching red/orange with a contrasting blue-green without being garish). The circle in the middle and the graphics around it is inspired by a poster from Josef Muller-Brockmann, and it is used here represent the act of ‘chasing time’ as it resembles the many lanes in a running track. The compositions also begin getting neater from here onwards, which is the second rule I implement on the designs, thus my reference to modernist/swiss style graphic designers.
KNOWLEDGE:
One of my goals in life is to be extremely well-read and knowledgeable in a wide variety of fields other than design/art, and I believe my time here in ADM will allow me to accomplish that from the large amount of time spent researching. Thus here the colourful circle represents knowledge from different areas around the world, and is positioned right at my head to further emphasise a constantly stimulated mind. The dull grey background is used to allow the colourful circle to stand out.
Time Management + Knowledge = ME IN 5 YEARS (READY TO MAKE MY MARK ON SOCIETY)
In 5 years I will begin my career in the creative field, and complete with the various skills picked up from university I hope to make my mark not only in that field but also in society with my designs/ideas. The background image of a vast blue sky represents the scale of my ambition, and the scatters of purple around highlights the boldness of such a grand idea.
BEING UNIQUE:
I’ve always valued being unique and standing out from the rest, and is something I constantly strive for. Thus I chose a minimalist vector style using an analogous colour scheme to stand out from the previous designs which were characterised by multiple layers of graphics and colours. The colour yellow also perfectly represents being exciting and fresh, and the use of the letter ‘i’ in the design is also a raw expression of individuality/standing alone.
FITTING IN:
Even though I strive to constantly push boundaries and be different from everyone else, life would be miserable without certain universal norms such as friends or a warm meal with family. Being different can be exciting at times but as social creatures humans naturally require some form of acceptance from others, and it is this juxtaposition of incompatible desires that I attempt to show here. The use of dark purple is in stark contrast to the bright yellow used previously, and the analogous dark blue also ensures that nothing in the composition really stands out. Dark purple is a colour that seems to recede, and the image of myself slowly losing saturation and fading into the background highlights the desire to ‘blend in’.
Being Unique + Fitting In = AN IDEAL ME (IMPOSSIBLE)
What I want to show with this square is the impossibility of not only an ‘ideal’ person (which I have elaborated on in the previous post) but also in my 2 previous desires coexisting. This is not only highlighted by the impossible square here, but also in the use of primary triadic colour scheme red/blue/yellow. Yellow (unique) mixed with purple (fitting in) results in an ugly brown colour, and the use of complimentary red/blue/yellow here conveys the impossibility of such desires going well together. The simple vector graphics also expresses my view of an ‘ideal me’ as an overly-simplistic conception. Being the final square and the end of my search for identity, I not only have a clearer picture of myself but I also realise that my strength lies in breaking rules. Thus the use of pixellation/warped text highlights that and also a sort of return to Greiman’s disdain of rules. This is also characteristic of graphic design/societal trends in general where people continuously seek progress through a renaissance of past styles.
I love you G1. Joy you are awesome.
Traaaaannnnnn……..
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SITION!