http://www.behance.net/gallery/Luna-Spa/538672 - Alexis Avellan

This branding logo for Luna Spa has been made out of a similar style to the way I made the woman's curves on my posters. To me, this combination of simple curved lines instantly signifies beauty and also the idea of beautiful skin which is something that I tried to bring into my imagery. The simplicity of the vector drawn lines is what gives the design impact and the viewer knows can actually tell what the logo is for from an initial glance.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Between-Skin/283436

The breakdown of the lines in this typeface reflects the way I was trying to portray the breakdown of the barrier between inner and outer beauty on my type and image poster. I used the idea of fraying the line, whereas this typeface uses more of a blur and smudge to separate that barrier. To me, it almost seems like  the texture of broken skin. The rough lines of each letterform also make them into incredibly beautiful shapes as they look natural and spontaneous.

There are many points of comparison which can be made between the images “The Uncle Sam Range” by Schumacher & Ettlinger, and “Daddy, what did you do in the Great War?” by Savile Lumley. Both images are centralised around the power of persuasion, with each image using persuasion for a different purpose. The first image of The Uncle Sam Range is an advertisement for an American range cooker, which is not only trying to pitch the product to potential buyers but also focuses on a certain lifestyle, whereas the second image is a poster aimed at persuading British men to join the forces in First World War. 

Image 1 
"The Uncle Sam Range" - Schumacher & Ettlinger, New York, 1876

Image 2
Poster by Savile Lumley - 1915

The style in which image 1 has been created reflects the current events and lifestyle of the time in which it comes from. The hand drawn illustration style, with bold colours and small, subtle references to what was happening in America at the time reflect the feeling of patriotism felt by most American citizens during this period. The image is used to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and there are many references to this throughout the image, such as the images of the clock with the dates, the names on the children’s clothing and the reference to the Philadelphia Exposition which took place that year. All of these subtle nuances point to the idea of America becoming a “super power”, a relatively young country full of new ideas and inventions. By combining this idea with the addition of the man in a globe costume sat at the table and the bizarre list of foods and countries he has is the artist’s way of saying that America is leading the way industrially; a rather patriotic and ignorant approach to the idea. Image 2 also shows examples of this kind of patriotism. The use of imagery in this poster is much more indistinct than in image 1, where in image 1 direct connections were made to the patriotic attitude of the time, here they have been muted and are rather less obvious, such as the English roses on the curtains and the Fleur de Lis symbol on the armchair. The colours in this image are toned down to show the severity of the subject, as the artist portraying the need for middle class men to sign up to the services. The image has been set as if it were in the future, and contains a great deal of reflection on the time, and aspiration as a means of persuasion. 

The use of type in each image reflects the message they contain. Image 1 uses bold, bright, gold type which can be associated with the being the “All American” style, whereas image 2 is much more personal. The handwritten style of font adds a more relaxed feel to the message and along with a few other aspects, such as the absence of a mother figure in the picture, moves the image to being patriarchal. 

In general, there are many different points of comparison and similarity between these two images. In particular, the fact that they were created and used only 4 decades apart, and originate from two very different nations, they display similar themes and ideas of patriotism although each with a distinct style reflective of the time in which they were created.

Firstly this is a piece of graphic design which I not only love but also seriously appreciate. I came across it as part of the research I did during my Foundation course for my major essay project, which looked into the uses and applications of sustainability in graphic design on the Danish design scene. This set of logos, and different designs based upon the logos, was designed by the Danish design network "NR2154" for the 2009 Global Climate Conference held in Copenhagen (COP15). The designers won a competition to create the logos for the entire conference and I personally agree with why they won. 

http://www.nr2154.com/2207/index.html

I love the pure simplicity of the design, and the way in which it allows for so many different interpretations. It is also incredibly versatile and could be applied to many different types of branding and advertising for the conference it was created for, and is still as effective when used on flyers, posters, merchandise, etc, as it is when it is simply the logo. I love the way in which this logo works in so many different ways, and they are more than just logo designs to me personally as I was in Copenhagen during the time of the conference and took part in different events to do with COP15.

Another piece of graphic design I feel drawn to is this example of slightly experimental typography. I came across it while reading my daily quota of typography blogs over the summer on the website Behance Network. 

http://www.typographyserved.com/gallery/FRACTURE-Typeface/1899655

My interpretation of this piece is the idea of building typography from recycled typography. I love the way that the letterforms look as if they could have been taken apart then recreated out of the remnants of previous broken up letters. It just reinforces the idea that type can be built out of anything and still look beautiful. 

One of my absolute favourite pieces of graphic design work has to be the book "Information is Beautiful". Information graphics fascinates me and the idea of portraying numbers and otherwise "boring" facts and figures through an aesthetic and beautiful manner is something which never fails to intrigue me. 

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/colours-in-cultures/

One of my favourite pieces from the book is this one about Colours in Culture. I've spent countless hours trying to understand the meaning of this piece properly, yet I've never managed to actually make sense of it as I always find myself being distracted by the piece itself. I cannot help the way this piece just draws me; it's almost inexplicable in a way. In general though, I love this book and no matter how many times I read/look through it I always seem to discover something new inside it.

In general, I like a lot of graphic design which has a purpose or a thorough concept behind it. This work by Triboro Design Solutions is one which I particularly like. 

http://www.triborodesign.com/#project185

Triboro rebranded the older versions of the New York Subway map to create one which would be easier to read and understand due to its use of 45 and 90 degree angles and single colour scheme. I love the graphic look of their map, although I'm a bit dubious as to whether or not their design makes it easier to follow the map. I find the colour and simplicity to be so eye catching that I can't help but be drawn to looking at it. I also love the way it is unconventional in terms of how subway maps traditionally look and their boldness when creating a piece thats so different from the norm. 

Lastly, a piece of graphic design that I hate. I saw this over the summer when browsing through IdN's website and immediately took a dislike to it. 

http://idnworld.com/potm/?id=PublicWorks-3rdAnnual

I'm not entirely sure what it is exactly which makes me detest it although it is probably down to the colours and strange typography. It is a poster advertising the annual Public Works gallery in Chicago in September 2011, and although it is aimed at promoting an arts and culture event, I don't quite see how it does it. I simply don't like the style in which it was created, and although it may well do the job it was created for, it doesn't suggest art and culture to me.