OUGD402: STUDY TASK 2 - 'What is Graphic Design ?' - Part 1

As a class we came up with these ten categories which design can fit into;

• Creative use of Type
• Visual Quality
• Tone of Voice
• Attention to detail
• Simplicity of Design
• Meaning or Message
• Audience engagement / interaction
• Style or aesthetic quality
• Use of Media & Method of Production
• Relationship between Form & Format
• Interest in the content.
• Use / Choice of language
• Structure & Layout

We had to choose five of the above and then select five pieces of work which illustrate my creative interests, which link in with the category selected for that specific piece.

Here is my collection of Graphic Design which I believe fit perfectly into the categories provided.

Visual Quality:

I've picked this example because i believe it to have a visual quality which is really interesting. I really like the geometric shapes, and although its quite dull i really like the style and how the colours contrast. 

I love the graffiti visuals on this piece, the colours really bring out the style and the illustration style is really unique.

The colours on this piece contrast really well! the vibrant colours on the black background fit so well. I really like the simple illusion in the centre aswell, its quite unusual but its different and i like it.

I like the visuals on this piece, the old propganda poster style is really interesting! It's put a modern twist on the old war posters. I really like how the old printing texture has been added.

I've picked this one for visual quality because i really like the contrast of colours and the interesting shape.

Structure/ Layout:

I love the layout of these recipes! Each recipe has its own individual background, with a mixture of photography and digital. The layout is quite unstructured but it fits really well with the style of Graphics!

The layout and structure of this piece is very unusual but i like it. I like the odd cut outs and the misplacing of the images.

An interesting quote, i really like the layout and the use of the quotation marks.

Love the layout with this one, i think the symbols work really well and although its quite random i like the clean style.

A gig poster with a bit of humour, i love the image and how its been layed out. Bold and informative but backed up with a visual element.

Creative Use of Type:

I like the use of real objects in this typographic image! I really like the style of font aswell, although its tricky to read the 3d element really makes it stand out.

Brilliant bit of sculpting here, the crafting quality is magnificent, i think this one is a really interesting piece.

Here you can see the word dice made up of dice and other board game items. I like the use of real objects, similar to the first one. The attention to detail makes it really interesting to look at.

I've had this on my computer for a while, really interesting to look at! Very clever, i love the detail in the splashes.

Another brilliant use of typography, i've seen similar designs before with the use of text but i think this one is really interesting, the colours are brilliant and the textures are great.

Meaning or Message:

This image is an advert by the brand FCUK. An interesting way of advertising, almost subliminal messaging in a way which seems quite rude, but as a matter of fact its you who makes it rude.

An advert from United Colors Of Benetton.. Very interesting and very true! Love the use of imagery, and puts over a very strong message in such a simple way.

Another Fcuk advert. Very clever, playing again on the jumbling up of the letters/ image. It's more advertising than graphic design but i really like how the image is related with the word, again using this form of rude word play.

I like this piece cause it relates to what we've just been told! Don't work Graphic Design, Live it, which is going to be relatable to me for the next three years and on going.

Simple but affective piece by Nike. Playing on the slogan 'just do it'. Relatable and funny.

Style/ Aesthetic Quality:

I love the style of these gig posters by Mike Joyce! "redesigned vintage punk, hardcore, new wave, and indie rock show flyers into international typographic style posters" I think the use of shapes and the overlapping of the colours works brilliantly! It's simple but so interesting. The use of helvetica fits brilliantly with the style!

I love the style for this simple poster, the textures amazing. The black bold colours work brilliantly with the yellow background. I think the illustration in general is really nice.