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.
