SYMBOLS DISCUSSION - Evolutions
These two symbols have managed to lose their original meanings and become the opposite of what they once were.
Do you know what they were?
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LECTURE - Modular Grid Systems
This quite often also called the Swiss Grid and is essentially a column grid with a large number of horizontal flowlines that subdivide the columns into rows, creating a matrix of cells called modules.
Each module defines a small chunk of informational space. Grouped together, these modules define areas called spatial zones to which specific roles may be assigned.
The degree of control within the grid depends on the size of the modules. Smaller modules provide more flexibility and greater precision, but too many subdivisions can become confusing or redundant and give you so many options that its no point having a grid in the first place.
The modular grid first became widely used in the 1950s and were associated with Bauhaus and Swiss International style. It is known for its objectivity and order, reduction to essentials, and clarity of form and communication. It forces the designer to think of white space and balance, in terms of the modules size.
"The modular grid gives a rigid structure that suggests order, clarity, thoughtfulness in an urban, mathematical, technological feel." Timothy Samara
An example of a 1 page modular grid and a 1 page modular grid in use
An example of modular grid working on a spread
Spread using modular grid
A poster with a very obvious modular grid and a less obvious example.
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IN-CLASS EXERCISE - Modular Grid cut 'n' paste
So you should have brought in your magazine (that you can cut up) some scissors and some glue. We'll also need a piece of A2 (if you don't have one then you can just put two A3s together.)
What we're going to do is fold the piece of A2 up so it gives a rudimentary modular grid. Then we are going to cut 7 pieces of type out and 7 visuals out of the magazine.
What we're looking for is the most important bits of the magazine, the soul of the magazine.
Your text bits should be a mix of about 3 body copy, 2 headings and 2 sub heads (or pull-out quotes.) Likewise your images should be a mix of big and small. Think about what the headings say and how the pictures link together. When we are finished the poster should make some sense and look good.
You've got an hour and a half, starting now. Good luck!
LECTURE - Grids in InDesign
Last week we used a modular grid to build a template we'll use today to apply our 600 words to. The only differences are that this time we'll be using gutters as part of our modular grid and all the pics will be in black and white.
First we'll build the grid in InDesign, mark out the spatial zones we'll be using and then start applying our text. As before we will be using 7 pieces of type out and 7 visuals. The pieces of type will be made up of 3 body copy, 2 headings and 2 sub heads (or pull-out quotes.) The visuals you will have to source but make sure that you choose images that are striking and applicable to use in black and white.
Choose images that assist your words not just mimic them.
You've got half an hour, starting now.
Just kidding, it's due next week and it needs to be printed at A2 in B/W - this can be done at Kinkos on the corner for $2 minus student discount of 10%. If you need bleed you'll have to do it on A1 which is $4 minus 10% student discount. Needs given to them in PDF format with bleed marks (if you have bleed marks) with one day lead time.
Remember your final image is going to be in black and white (and photocopied black and white at that) so make sure it is adjusted correctly to be contrasted enough. A colour photo with subtle changes in colour will all come out as black - you may need to find another picture or convert it to gray-scale and adjust your levels. Good luck!
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IN-CLASS EXERCISE - Rebus
What does this say?
If we say it the way we see it then we see a 'mat' followed by a 'leech' - therefore we have Matt Leach, my name. This is Rebus in it's most basic form.
In the dictionary it is described as a representation of a word or phrase by pictures, symbols, etc., that suggest that word or phrase or its syllables. A person's arm and a normal chair is rebus for armchair. A more complex example could be the word belief, which can be broken down into two syllables, bee-leaf. Hence, instead of writing the word alphabetically, it could be represented by the image of a bee and a leaf.
It's origin is Latin where 'Rebus' is translated into "by things" which is a fitting explanation for a style of writing that uses pictures to represent words or parts of words. The first recorded use is in the Latin phrase non verbis sed rebus "not by words, but by things." Several rebuses may be combined-in a single device or successively-to make a phrase or sentence. Literary rebuses use letters, numbers, musical notes, or specially placed words to make sentences. Complex rebuses combine pictures and letters. Rebuses may convey direct meanings, especially to inform or instruct illiterate people; or they may deliberately conceal meanings, to inform only the initiated or to puzzle and amuse. This is what became it's most popular use. In 1605 Picardy (Northern France) was known for it's Rebus Scribes who, like our satirical cartoonists of today, would poke fun at current events. These rebus satires would be seen on boards at the local fetes and carnivals and developed quite a following, causing them to be copied and sent around France eventually ending up in newspapers and the like. It became quite fashionable for the elite classes of England to display them on their walls. Here are some examples:
You could also look as far back as hieroglyphics. Here the Coptic scribes exploited the rebus principle, breaking long words into phonetic components, and then using pictures to represent these components. For example, Rameses, was often broken down by pulling out the first syllable 'Ra' - represented by a rebus image, a picture of the sun.
Look at this for a good cover: http://www.coverjunkie.com/blog/creative-rebus/11/4744
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HOMEWORK
You'll also need to bring in an example of an evolved symbols as discussed above in the symbols discussion part.
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INSPIRATION & EXTRAS
Each week the lecturers throw up things we find that relate to what we've been discussing or working on that week. Sometimes it might be things that relate to your major assessment and sometimes just stuff that we thought was worth seeing. If you find something you think we should be showing or something we just have to see let us know in class or throw an email over to me at matt@billyblue.com.au and I'll get it up here or on the Bluni inspiration site.
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While looking for a mat with which to spell my name rebus-ly (is that even a word?) I came across this lovely little example of good design. You can turn it depending what mood you're in.
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If you were liking the rebus puzzles there are plenty of sites devoted to them on the web.
Here's one for you to try and here's another.
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While we're on the subject of Swiss Grids - A bilingual, expandable book designed by Dylan Mulvaney, honoring Josef Müller-Brockmann and his principles of Swiss Graphic Design.
© 2009 Dylan Mulvaney
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Joshua Allen Harris is a really interesting artist working in New York using plastic bags and the subway air vents. The thing I really like about his work is the fact that the audience comes across it on their own - at first they have no idea what is happening and then realisation dawns bringing with it the thrill of discovery - that's when street art works best, when there is an element of discovery as opposed to a tag. This is what you need to get across when we start distributing our symbol around Sydney, that feeling of discovery for the viewer - and the fact that you don't have to be there to make it work.
