Graphic Design One: Reading #2

Our identities become easily (and seemingly willingly) entangled in images that are not of reality, but none the less are of self.  How can we as graphic designers harness this property of society to allow the products we design for reach their fullest potential?

And after working though the comic illustration in the reading and spending days researching and examining the logos and years of constant bombardment of thousands of icons in our lives to this point can we as designers, now engaging this medium from more than just a passive consumer prospective, determine where on the pyramid of realism to abstraction the most successful icons find themselves?  Is it somewhere in between, to abstract to have us dismiss without a second thought, but real enough to keep us interested?

Typography Journal 1 and Homework (1.26.09)

 

Series: a number of books, pamphlets, or periodicals brought out by one company or organization on the same or related topics or in the same format.

 

Sequence: a number of things arranged in a particular order or connected in some way, or a number of actions or events that happen one after another. 

 

Sign: An item that directly represents what is being depicted.  A picture of a bird says bird.  The woof of a dog can also be a sign for dog.

 

Index: An item that refers or points the viewer in the direction of a related idea.  A nest can point to a bird. Accents can point to a specific geographic area.

 

Symbol: An item that is directly substituted for another item.  The written word 'bird' means the feathered flying animal that we visualize as bird.  The word bird can also be spoken, and carry with it many other associated items.

 

What makes a successful book jacket?

 

I think a successful book jacket is one that brings something unexpected to the table.  With the slew of books that sit on the shelf at any given bookstore, it isn't enough to just have straightforward text and an image that just scratches the surface of the context of the book. A book jacket needs to be able to grab the attention of the viewer from across the room, and then while or after reading the book, the cover should also serve to enhance the content of the book in hindsight.  I personally also enjoy when the design of the cover brings some dimension to the 2D surface of the jacket. 

 

 

 

 

Who is Chip Kidd? Why is he important to us?

 

Chip Kidd is an American graphic designer that is best known for his book cover designs. In fact, he is probably the best known designer for book covers. The covers are marked by innovation and interesting twists that are subtle and take consideration on the part of the viewer to understand their relation to the context of the book.  His designs many times seem to have a vintage feel to their presentation.  He has truly invigorated the design of books unlike any other designer.

 

 

Who is John Gall? Why is he important to us?

 

John Gall is an American designer best known for his work designing book covers. He is an art director within Randomhouse publishers. He generally allows the imagery of the cover to speak the loudest, with text serving as a subtle accent to the design.  I find myself adhering to the feelings that Gall has for what a constitutes a good book cover (surprising, unexpected).

 

 

 

10 Favorite Covers

(1)(2)(3)

(4)(5)

(5)(6)

(7)(8)

(9)(10)

 

 

 

Index (x3):

 

Cover #1- A wolf at the table is well represented by the fork, which easily points to mealtime for a western audience.  When combined with the idea of the wolf, it furthers the idea as a furious, carnivorous animal that is driven by food.  The claw-like nature of the fork ties the animal nature of the imagery even further and the use of red makes it even more aggressive.

 

Cover #2- A General Theory of Love is shown well with the two chairs, side by side.  This alone points to the companionship of love, but when one of the chairs is shown leaning in on the other, it provides and even stronger feeling of a relationship between these inanimate objects.  This use of the color red also relates to the idea of love within our culture.

 

Cover #3- Good evening Mr. and Mrs. America gives the idea of olden times with the type of radio that is presented.  The idea of a stand alone radio in of itself sets a tone for the book at being a past generation. The typeface and the way it is incorporated with the imagery furthers this idea. 

 

 

 

 

Series to Redesign: How to be a Gentleman (A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy), A Gentleman at the Table (A Concise, Contemporary Guide to Table Manners), A Gentleman gets Dressed Up (What to Wear, When to Wear It, How to Wear It)

 

Author: John Bridges

 

Genre: Etiquette

 

Book and Author information:

 

Author: John Bridges is the senior editor for the Nashville Scene. His weekly column, "Keeping Up," is syndicated in independent news weeklies. A collection of his columns has been published as Keeping Up: Blue Blazers, Iced Tea, and Everthing Else Worthwhile in Life.

 

How to be a Gentleman: In a world of cellular phones, express lanes, business lunches, and political correctness, being a gentleman seems to be more and more complicated. Gentlemanly behavior, says John Bridges, is not about do's and don'ts, but about common sense and courtesy. A gentleman does not use his cellular phone during a concert, nor does he borrow more money than he can afford to pay back. He always puts the toilet seat down. He asks for directions when he is lost, and he knows how to order a bottle of wine. How to be a Gentleman is a book for men that combines Emily Post and Miss Manners without being snobbish, boring, or intimidation. Good manners means thinking of others, being there when you are needed, and getting out of the way the rest of the time. This book makes it easy to be a gentleman. A true gentleman is comfortable with traditional etiquette, and guidelines on the traditional are included her as are more modern points of etiquette such as how to respond to voice mail and answering machine messages and how to deal with email in a courteous manner. How to Be a Gentleman is an indispensable guide for men of all ages who aspire to become gentlemen.

 

A Gentleman at the Table: A Gentleman at the Table will give any man the knowledge he needs to maneuver any dining situation – from a casual meal of fried chicken at his mom's house to a seven-course dinner at the finest restaurant in the world. It includes. . .

      How to set a table

      How to pronounce more than 100 unusual food names

      How to use obscure eating utensils

      How to perform the Heimlich maneuver

      How to eat more than 25 foods that are challenging to eat gracefully such as lobster, snails, fried chicken, and pasta.

In a society where more and more people eat with plastic forks and spoons at fast food restaurants, it is still important that a man know proper dining etiquette. There are still situations where not knowing what a finger bowl is or not knowing how to pronounce an item on a menu can have an effect on what others think of you. Showing he has little working knowledge of table manners at a lunch meeting or on a job interview over dinner may have an important impact on a man's life.

Like all the books in the GentleManners series, A Gentleman at the Table is easy to use, non-threatening, and an entertaining read.

 

A Gentleman gets Dressed Up: A Gentleman Gets Dressed Up is not a book about style--it is a book about the rules--rules that will allow any man to feel more comfortable in the choices he makes about what he wears. It answers such questions as: What does black tie optional mean? What do I wear to a wedding at 7: 00 on a Saturday evening? What do I wear to a job interview? What do I wear to a second interview, even if they observe a casual dress code? What do I wear to the Academy Awards? What do I wear to a funeral? And what button do I leave open on my suit coat?

This GentleManners book is divided into sections about specific items of clothing and specific accessories. It also delves into the different types of events to which a gentleman may find himself invited. The book concludes with sections on extreme etiquette, such as what to wear to meet the pope, and a section on fashion emergencies, such as what to do when your pants split.

      A gentleman knows that dressing up may require going to great pains; but it does not require that he feel any pain at all.

      A gentleman knows that a formal shirt does not have a button-down collar.

A colorblind gentleman is not ashamed to mention his disability to a clothing salesperson and to ask for assistance in selecting a shirt or tie to match a suit.

 

Associate Word List:

Sophisticated

Intellectual

Elegant

Stately

Formal

Courtly

Graceful

High-class

Dress

Manners

Behavior

Conduct

Demeanor

Class

Common sense

Courtesy

Civility

Politeness

Behavior

Etiquette

Guide

Clean

Simple

Involving

Engaging

Thought provoking

Introspective

Classy

Posh

Intriguing

Riveting

Exciting

Gripping

Absorbing

Intellectual

Polished

Intelligent

Wise

Knowing

Style

Sage

Advisable

Sensible

Recommended

Ethics

Rule

Govern

Regulation

Standard

Guidance

Counsel

Direction

Signal

Advocate

Advisor

Advise

Suggest

Dinner

Wine

Tablecloth

Silverware

China

Cufflinks

Tie

Deep colors

Bow tie

Luncheon

Suit

Patten leather shoes

Civility

Politeness

Courtesy

Social world

Grace

 

 

Define 10:

 

Civility:

1.the formal politeness that results from observing social conventions

2.something said or done in a formally polite way

 

Ethics:

1.the study of moral standards and how they affect conduct (takes a singular verb)

Also called moral philosophy

2.a system of moral principles governing the appropriate conduct for an individual or group (takes a plural verb)

 

Classy:

very stylish and elegant (informal)

 

Simple:

to make something less complicated or easier to understand

 

Formal:

1.characterized by or organized in accordance with conventions governing ceremony, behavior, or dress

2.done or carried out in accordance with established or prescribed rules

3.done in an organized and precise manner

 

Elegant:

1.stylishly graceful, and showing sophistication and good taste in appearance or behavior

2.executed or made with a combination of skill, ease, and grace

3.satisfyingly and often ingeniously neat, simple, or concise

 

Sophisticated:

1.knowledgeable about the ways of the world, self-confident, and not easily deceived

2.appealing to or frequented by sophisticated people

 

Intellectual:

3.intended for, appealing to, or done by intelligent people

somebody with a highly developed ability to reason and understand, especially if also well educated and interested in the arts or sciences or enjoying activities involving serious mental effort

 

Counsel: coun·sel n

2.somebody whose advice is sought, or who acts as an official adviser (takes singular or plural verb)

3.advice sought from or given by somebody, especially somebody who is wise or knowledgeable (formal or literary) (often used in the plural)

1.to advise somebody on a particular course of action (formal or literary)

2.to give somebody advice and support on personal or psychological matters, usually in a professional context

 

Sage:

somebody who is regarded as knowledgeable, wise, and experienced, especially a man of advanced years revered for his wisdom and good judgment (literary)

 

having or showing great wisdom, especially that gained from long experience of life (literary)

 

Tone: Books are serious, informative, and somewhat how-to.  They are non-fiction. 

Encouraging, uplifting, wise

 

To Suggest:

 

To suggest that gentleman courtesy can be attained.

To suggest a feeling of civility.

To suggest a feeling of elegance.

To suggest moral standards.

To suggest a feeling of class.

To suggest an understanding of proper societal interaction.

To suggest a way to personal betterment.

To suggest a way to enhance personal and social interaction.

To suggest a level of maturity.

To suggest guidelines of traditional etiquette.

 

Quotes:

(1) A gentleman is someone who makes others feel comfortable. Good manners is simply a matter of common sense and courtesy.

 

(2)  The truth of the matter is, being a gentleman is not rocket science. Being a gentleman requires a little logic, a bit of forethought, and a great deal of consideration for others. It is not about complicated rules and convoluted instructions. Instead, it is about honestly and sincerely being a nice guy.

 

(3) Simply acting like a gentleman is not enough. It is being a gentleman that is important, and that means thinking of others, being there when you are needed, and knowing when you are not needed. It is what you do and who you are—an accumulation of gentlemanly behaviors over the course of a lifetime—that make a man a gentleman.

 

(4) Chivalry is described as gracious courtesy and high-minded consideration - exactly what sets a man apart from the rest.

 

(5) The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.

 

(6)  A gentleman knows that clothes do not make the man. But he knows that, when making a first impression, his wardrobe may speak louder than his actions—perhaps even louder than his words.

 

(7) I hold an open door, 
the last to enter. 
Gentleman am I, 
I'm told, 
contained, controlled. 
That I could action on 
a want 
or need? I doubt, 
too timid to take a lead. 
I have no need or want 
to act 
for fear perhaps, 
not of rejection 
but 
victory's plaque.  

 

(8) A gentleman always thinks before he speaks. He also thinks after he speaks, in order to build on the rightness, or correct the wrongness, of what he might have said.

 

(9) When a gentleman speaks, he hopes to sound wise, or—at the very least—he hopes to bring a smile to someone's face. He never uses words to harm or demean another person. Even when he is silent, he can be eloquent, offering a listening ear or a shoulder for a friend to lean upon,

 

(10) [The gentleman's] goal is to make life easier, not just for himself but for his friends, his acquaintances, and the world at large.

 

Concept Statement:

 

When you think of the rules of etiquette, do people like James Bond come to mind? Etiquette is not reserved for soave stars and your daddy's golf buddies. Etiquette is a common courtesy that every man should not only be aware of, but incorporate into their daily lives. In a world that rarely stops for a please and thank you anymore, a man who can learn to live within the bounds of pleasant social interactions can shine amongst the rest.

Etiquette does not consist of social graces that are reserved for the chosen few of society, nor is it so complicated that the average man is incapable of learning it.  Etiquette is common courtesy, not rocket science. It demands that the gentleman be aware and caring of those around him, and that this is not a forced set of ideals, but rather something that flows naturally from what is within him.  Furthermore, he daily welcomes this not as an obligation, but rather as a challenge.

Etiquette everyday becomes a greater need of the society in which we live.  With even the simplest of common courtesy being lost in the winds of those that would rather save two seconds and inconvenience those around them, even pleasantries such as 'excuse me,' 'please,' and 'thank you' are being lost.  This is not some sacred art that is meant to be practiced only by those who have removed themselves from society or those that are born into good manners.  It is the responsibility of all men to acquire a good set of social skills for the betterment of themselves, and the world around them.

 

Audience Persona:

 

Jim is like any other American boy, except for one thing.  While growing up Jim is daily taught in the ways of appropriate social interactions and common courtesy. Jim learns how to set a formal table, what appropriate dress is for school, a job interview, and a first date, and how to deal with his friends and acquaintances in a respectful way.

 

This may or may not translate to better jobs, the woman he marries, or even the life he passes to his children, but it will most certainly define the way that he is respected and appreciated by those around him, because they receive the same respect from him at every interaction.

Graphic Design: first reading

1. Does this semiotic concept process always follow a certain line of events (as listed in the reading - Sender, Intention, Message, Transmission, etc...) or can the designer choose the order, or consider multiples at once? 

2. The reading lists large groups, such as countries, when it talks about metaphors, Synecdoche, etc, but I assume that the groups that this can be applied to are can be various, focused, and specific.  Is this so?