Of Silly Books and Newspapers

Found this in a news paper in the career section.

   I really like this picture and its caption. I was looking for something to put on this blog and this just spoke to me. Yes it is a newspaper article, but newspapers need good graphic design and I think this is some thing that really works for what medium it is. Is is a very big picture that took about one fifth of the page and the repeating forms with the one that is out of place really speaks "breaking out of the cookie cutter". It makes sense that they chose a gingerbread man that is smiling, he's kinda saying to the reader "read this article because it will make your life happier." In other words it is very inviting, which makes it stick out of all the other articles.

This is a graphic book I found at Wellington Secondary

   This book was in the Wellington Secondary library in the Graphic Novel section. Many artists are featured in this book and each has a unique style that is on one hand really awesome but on the other very strange. I really like how this book ties each of the artists into one book without making it awkward. The cover is a wonderful example of art and the use of the rule of thirds because nothing is centered, making it eye catching and dynamic. I think the type face used was a good choice because it makes a statement without being too overbearing on the illustration. I also just like the idea of flying whales and giant birds that people can ride, with the extra little bit of steampunk added in the mix. Not only is that combination cool but it also adds intrigue to what the book is about and kind of makes one want to open it.

Here's some examples of the inside of the book:

 

 

    These pages reflect the wonder of the cover while also adding their own elements to the book. The colours chosen were well considered and thought out to bring the emotions needed. Each short story has a theme of it's own and the colours the artists chose were to make the most of what they were trying to say. The comics were never laid out the same way, some were neat and orderly where others had lines reaching through panels before and after making for a more dynamic composition. Some of the comics aren't mainstream at all, in fact I would say none of them are. Each brings to this book a different way of drawing and colouring and each is unique making for an interesting read.

Go check this book out at http://www.flightcomics.com/flight4preview/ where you can see a preview.

 

Cheers, 

        Melanie

The Oh My God Factor

Open a magazine or look on the back of one and this is what you can see.
This picture is Men in suits of ballerinas by Artsiom Kireyau.

 
 Definitely this one was a kicker.  I picked up a magazine to read one day. A little surprise waited for me on the other side of the cover. This ad. One full page of buff men wearing woman's undergarments. When I first saw this I didn't fully understand that those were men. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I realized what they were. First thing I said was "What the f---?".
  If you look closer at the design of the ad, it is quite well laid out. The magazine I picked up is imported from the UK so everything is designed for a global market. It is the typical magazine ad with the white stripe in the bottom containing the information of who, what and where. The why aspect is contained in the white box just above and the hook is in huge lettering in the top left handed corner. I find my self looking first to that top left corner, then it wonders to the picture and the white box where finally I see the information strip at the bottom. Very good flow and even if the layout is a bit dull the picture gives a nice contrast.

The Fotolia Website. Check it out your self at http://us.fotolia.com/.

 
   I checked out the web site and it too has a very nice layout. With clean, simple and effective use of line and color the makers of the website have made the pictures stand out more than the website itself with only the important things like the logo are colored green. I have too often seen websites that are way to crowded but this one seem to be nicely balanced.
    All in all I think fotolia is doing a good job and their pictures are amazing. Who knows what will be next in magazine ads. But hopefully they will not be buff men in ballerina costumes.

Cheers,

   Melanie

Why?

 I am attending University to get my BA in Graphic Design and in entering the second semester we have been asked to make a blog and post examples of good graphic design. Then much to my dismay we have to write a paragraph detailing why we think it is good and the impact it has on society or how it communicates an idea. Now I am all for writing an such like, but I am lacking in the grammar and spelling department. Lucky I have noticed (several times) this site has a spell check function which will save my life I am sure. Now I am not one to blog, as you can probably tell, but when ones grades are on the line, one must make the most of what they have been given. I'm going to have to write a new post every week from now until April 15th. So I hope this semester goes better than the last. Ha, here's to a few months of keeping track of my posts. Yes.

Cheers,

Melanie