METHODS OF ITERATING
Recently I discovered the work of Ceci Elrich a graphic and motion designer. I was drawn to her work because she creates compositions that integrate color, type, and shapes with motion. Her work reminds me of the emotional expression of Rothko’s art through color, or the creation of atmospheres through light, of James Turrell. I am interested in exploring emotions through graphic design.
I chose After Effects as a tool to explore motion graphics and I copied Composición (2020) which is a short sequence that takes you on a journey through high-contrast color circles, pleasantly mesmerizing to watch.
Copying process
Three components of the composition: Color, Sequence/movement & blending effect.
Color:
Sequence:
On illustrator, I organized 16 circles with specific colors.
After preparing the colors, I created the composition on After Effects.
I modified the scale in order to achieve the illusion of disappearing circles. Applied the same transformation to every circle (15) but modified the position of the keyframes,
depending on the time (order). Time and space are key aspects in achieving a specific motion.
Just like in physics speed: time* distance
Blending effect
I applied the gaussian blur and modified the levels to an adjustment layer, so every circle had the same blur and blended effect.
Final outcome
In the end, I managed to get a very close copy of the original animation.
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What I learned:
In graphic design, the main resources to communicate are color, textures, sizes, and typography which are static. But in After Effects, you can add a layer which is movement, and the resource is time and distance.
Through the manipulation of these two aspects, which are not particularly related to graphic design, it is possible to evoke emotions, create atmosphere and add expressiveness and narrative to color, type, and forms.
WEEK 2
This week I started the iteration process with the text, ‘Conditional Design Workbook’ (2013), in mind. I was introduced to the method of “Conditional design” which consists of developing a plan formed by a systematic set of rules and parameters that focuses on engaging with the process rather than the outcome. By applying this method, designers are prompted to avoid making creative decisions based on feelings but on intellectual criteria.
Important aspects to have in mind:
- Logic as a tool.
- Avoid randomness
- Differences should have a reason.
- Rules as constraints. Perspective on the process stimulates creativity to play with the limitations.
- Design with a plan in mind. Would avoid arbitrary, capricious decisions, and subjectivity.
The expression of emotion is an important aspect of this project; however, one can think that it is far from logical, systematic, and objective. But through the lens of “Conditional design” developing rules that control randomness is part of the plan, in fact, “Use rules as constraints. Constraints sharpen the perspective on the process and stimulate play with the limitations” Maurer, L. et al. (2013).
“Conditional design” made me question how can I constrain the use of emotion in this project? Can I translate what I feel to be expressed in a technical way? Is there a relation between how I feel with After effects tools?
I came up with a plan:
- Problem: How can I depict emotions in a cognitive way? How can I express emotions through movements?
- Tool: After effects (motion graphics) (start the composition thinking about motion).
- Days: Time (seconds)
- Intensity: Scale, position.
- Movement: Repetition | sequence
- Idea: Document one (my) emotion through 5 days – Frustration.
- Input: Techniques I learned in the copying exercise. Use graphic design elements: circles, bright colors, type.
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At the same time, I was reading Atlas of the Heart, a book by professor and author Brene Brown where she explores the psychology of human emotions and how they take part in our behaviors and build our experience in the world.
“Having a nuanced vocabulary around labeling our emotions can be transformative. Usually, we look outside ourselves for solid ground, but emotions are internal and always available to anchor us wherever we are”.
https://www.ryandelaney.co/book-notes/atlas-of-the-heart-summary
I have noticed that frustration is a common emotion whenever I undergo a “new season”. Expecting a lot from myself and forgetting that mastery comes with practice, patience and discipline.
Frustration: Thinking about a situation is unresolvable.
By using basic graphic design elements: circle, color, type. Create some animations that depict frustration in a cognitive way.
Iteration
Even though I tried to follow the steps of what I understood was “Conditional design” I noticed that I didn’t engage in an iterative process with the tool as I intended to. It felt like a fixed idea that I was trying to recreate all over again. Falling, in the end, is a way of learning, even though sometimes it is frustrating to feel that you failed and lost time.
Week 3
METHODS OF TRANSLATING
For this Brief, I choose a poem found in Ecclesiastes 3 called “There is a Time for everything”. The decision to choose this poem was based on my personal experiences during these couple of months. I’ve been experiencing a lot of changes and starting new seasons, and it has been challenging for me to navigate all of this. There have been times when I get frustrated and anxious about what I am facing however I keep remembering that life is a process and what I am currently facing I cannot change rather than accept it, learn from it and improve.
There’s the Right Time for Everything
There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.
I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 MSG
Method of Translation # 1 – Relaying
My first impulse was to make the poem visual. I didn’t put much thought into it, I just drew what the first thing that came to mind based in the parallels of the poem.
I showed this to some friends, and they didn’t understand the message behind the illustrations. It was evident that I was portraying some parallels, but the illustrations were based on my own associations. My translation was so literal that the purpose of translating (cross borders) was achieved.
What I learned from this translation is that I need to go further into experimentation. Perhaps I need to be “riskier” in my next translation.
Method of Translation # 2 – Hybridizing
One of the things that interested me about this poem was that it explores the idea that everything has a perfect time. Every cycle is part of an intricate and specific plan. To me, there is something visual about those ideas. I thought that I could create diagrams using the words.
Method of Translation # 3 – Extrapolating
I thought it would be interesting to extrapolate the poem to my current situation. There are multiple emotions that I have gone through these months so I made a list of the most frequent ones:
| Emotions | Extrapolation |
| Aspire | Achieve Expect | experience Fear | overcome Miss | have Insecurity | confidence Regret | acceptance Struggle | thrive Feel lonely | to be valued Hold on | let go Fail | succeed Improve | fall back Love | hate Avoid | deal Grow | to be content | A right time to aspire and another to achieve, A right time to expect and another to experience, A right time to fear and another to overcome, A right time to miss and another to have, A right time to cry and another to laugh, A right time to regret and another to accept, A right time to struggle and another to thrive, A right time to feel lonely and to feel valued, A right time to hold on and another to let go, A right time to fail and another to succeed, A right time to improve and another to fall back, A right time to love up and another to hate, A right time to avoid and another to deal with, A right time to grow and another to be content |
My next step was to translate these emotions into colors, lines, and forms. How can I show these emotions?
My first idea was to
Based on the idea that life is full of seasons and cycles I build these graphs that show the quantity, duration and intensity of each emotion.
However, I needed to explore further the representation of these emotions and refine the outcome. Also, in the tutorial, my classmates didn’t understood the graphs.
Further Exploration
How can I show opposites through graphic elements?
Through these experiments, I got a better understanding of these emotions. They aren’t opposites (positive/negative), they feel like seasons, changes, or in other words, transformations. It didn’t make sense to represent the 28 emotions with the same elements.
Based on the scientific approach I got to the Hybridizing exploration, I started drawing different ways in which I felt/visualize each pair of emotions.
Color was a useful tool to visualize the transformation of emotions.
METHODS OF CATALOGUING
Week 1
For this brief “Methods of cataloging” I choose the Harvard Library collection of American currency. This collection has more than over one thousand pieces but I decided to narrow the set and chose one that was produced after the Civil War.
My first step was to look at all of 80 pieces and organize them in a map with 4 categories. ‘Ornamented | Simple & Illustrations | No illustrations’. That categorization was very useful because it allowed me to identify the main elements as well as the main differences of the main collection.
Based on that filter I identify 3 main styles of bills which are: 1. Simple and typographic 2. Opulent with pictorial elements 3. The back of the bills had patterns.
Regardless of the differences, they had the following similar aspects:
| Frame | Description | Location | Number | Multiple fonts |
| Value | Ornaments | Signature | Portraits | Series number |
| IllustrationsAlegories | Recto/verso | Paper | 1|2 inks |
To understand better the whole collection this answering the following questions was helpful:
| Similarities | Differences |
| Material | Visual elements like Typography, ink, paper color, |
| Printing method | Simple/Refined |
| Rigid Layout | Values (5,10, 20, 50) |
| Formal elements (numbers, illustrations, text, signatures) | Origin. Where are they from? |
| Important symbolism in the elements (Illustrations). | Decorations: Simple, flat, Elaborate, elegant, figurative, and tell a story. |
| Production technic. | Fonts |
| Use/Purpose |
How are they held together, both formally and conceptually?
- Formal: They are held together by a layout (3 columns 2 narrow columns at the sides 1 wider column at the center). The design is opulent, evident from the Victorian era. They not only carry numerical/wealth value, but they also carry identity, norms, history, wealth, stories, and the idiosyncrasy of a territory (nation and state).
- Relation
Is there an identifiable ‘grammar’ within the system? (From left to right)
- 1 or two inks
- Rigid horizontal layout
- Frame. Simple or ornamented
- The left column must contain– value, pattern, illustration
- The Center must contain the Name of the bank or city or image.
- The bottom must contain the Signature of the president.
- The right column must contain– value, pattern, and illustration.
Opulent visual resources. Calligraphical and geometrical ornaments.
Every element is composed of fine lines: They create complex traces, figures, volumes, and shades.
Color pallet: Black, beige. Additional colors: Red, blue, and green.
Illustrations: Must be realistic.
Opulent typography for value, bank, and city.
What patterns are visible across the set?
- The same layout.
- Images
- Typography
- Geometrical elements.
How is it presented, circulated, or accessed?
Scanner, virtual images | Imprint, physical, hand to hand, transaction.
APPLYING METHODS OF CATALOGUING
After exploring and applying these methods of cataloging what interested me the most is the illustrative aspects of the currency. There is an expression of culture, traditions, identity, and history imprinted in these pieces of paper that carry value and representative wealth. They show the idiosyncrasy of the American people during XVII. I think I want to explore more this style. What narratives can I get from these elements? What narratives can I generate?
Also, I think that the craftmanship of designing these bills is beautiful. The illustrations and the typography show the opulence and culture during the Victorian era.
[W2] – METHODS OF INVESTIGATING
This was a visual exploration of how I see the parallels. How I see nature vs human trace.
This was my exploration of how I see the trace of time.
After this weeks feedback I conclude:
- My project I missing a clear direction. What do I want to explores specifically? What is my topic on interest? How can I explore ideas through graphic design?
- I need visual exploration.
- Important question: Where nature and human trace intersect. (This could be my starting point for the visual project).
[W01]- METHODS OF INVESTIGATING
I was intrigued by this brief “Methods of Investigating” because as a person who has never been to London I was eager to explore/collect insights and knowledge about the new city.
Just a 10-minute walk away from my place can take you to the Themes. Exploring that area I found the “Alderman Stairs” a narrow passage that ends at the shore of the river. I am from Bogotá, Colombia a place that is 2.640 m above sea level, surrounded by mountains, the nearest river passes through the outskirts of the city and isn’t part of the urban landscape as the Theme does.
The project referents were a helpful resource that gave me a sense of guidance to this observation, specifically Sophie Calle’s “The Hotel, Room 47”, she portrays the traces of human activity and speculated on the lives and habits of the guest. The effortless and unpretentious way she collected information inspired me to look deep into the small details of this place.
Similarly Paul Elliman´s typography project “Bits”, encourage me to use collecting as a method of investigation.
METHODS OF INVESTIGATION [Photography, sound recording and collecting]
The following is a map of my conclusions from Week 1:
- Photos/Video:
- It is evident the passing of time.
- Trace of human vs trace of nature.
- Collision of human and nature
- It is a place of calmness, solitude. People find rest, comfort in the view and sound of the waves.
- A little peaceful corner of London.
- Sound
- Aggressive and gentle sounds of nature.
- Lonely place where nature dominates.
- Collecting
- Pebbles, trash, junk.
- They’ve become part of the landscape and ground of the place.
- Materials such as: Plastic, glass, iron, metals, tiles, concrete, bricks.
- It is unclear the time of origin, purpose of most of the objects found there. They could have been there, centuries, days or hours.
- Its evident the trace of time.
- The edges are smooth, the colors are worn out and rusty.