Week 5 : Symbol, Imagery & Typography

2/10/2020/Week 5
Gan Shin Tung / 0346455
Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media 
Lectures & Exercises

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Lectures

Week 5 : Symbol, Imagery & Typography

Symbol

A sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else. In design, symbols can provide or convey information, equivalent to one or more sentences of text, or even a whole story. 

Figure 1.1 Example of Symbols
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Religious_symbols.svg

Abstract Symbols 

Figure 1.2 Example of Abstract Symbols
Source: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-abstract-symbols-set-icons-vector-image45113522

Abstract Art

Figure 1.3 Example of Abstract Art
Source: https://www.carousell.com.my/p/abstract-painting-1008888980/

Arbitrary Symbols

Figure 1.4 Example of Arbitrary Symbols 
Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/9/3/142/htm

Imagery

It is a vital part of design, be it print or digital. Users and viewers are able to or digital. Users and viewers are able to relate to a concept or a brand if the right images are used in a work of design. It is therefore important to use suitable and relevant images when designing. 

Figure 1.5 Example of Imagery
Source: https://www.facebook.com/SueHandsImagery/

Typography

It is the design and arrangement of text to convey a message or concept. Successful use of typography will result in visual hierarchy and balance in a work of design. 

Figure 1.6 Example of Typography
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/830421618760579192/

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Exercise
Week 5 : Symbol, Imagery & Typography

This week we have to come out with two designs, one for arbitrary symbol, one for combination of imagery and typography using collage. I drew out some sketches for both designs. 

Figure 1.7 Sketches for Arbitrary Symbols 

I drew out several sketches and canceled out a few symbols and cross out some which I don't think it will work. For the first symbol on the top left, I place circles in different direction in a big circles. This symbol tells a story of cause and effect, what you do will eventually come back to you. If you do bad things you will get karma this goes on and on like a circle rotation and never ends. For the second symbol and the top right, I used triangles to make this symbol. If you look closely, it actually looks like a wind turbines. This symbol symbolizes save of energy as wind turbines generates energy using wind. This is to spread awareness of saving electricity and other source of energy as well. Lastly, for the symbol on the bottom right that looks like a Z alphabet. Well, it is actually a broken disconnected hour glass. It symbolizes time management, the stoke in the middle symbolizes the balance between working time and time spent with friends and family. The empty space shows that if you did not spent your time wisely, you will waste your time and it will leak out from that empty space.  

 

Figure 1.8 Sketches for Imagery & Typography

For Imagery & Typography I just sketch out some ideas that I wanted to make as I did not know the medium for this is collage until Miss Jinchi mentioned in the group chat. However, I will make my idea in a collage for my final design. 

Figure 1.9 Final Arbitrary Symbol Design

I used gold for the hour glass to show that time is as precious as gold. I use red for the stroke is to show warning or alert sign if the time is not being balanced well. I use purple for the two strokes in the centre as purple represents wisdom as time management is not easy, many have failed to do it. The reason why I create this symbol is because a lot of people didn't balance their time well therefore it creates a lot of problems. Some parents spend all their time on work therefore it causes their children to have a lot of problems. I had a few friends had this problem where their parents don't spend time with them when they needed them the most and this caused them to have really bad childhood experience. It also affect the bonds between family members which will bring on to an individual's growth. Recently I watched a korean drama called it's okay to not be okay, I think it reflects very much in the society nowadays where many people gets depression, childhood trauma and etc.

Figure 2.0 Final Imagery&Typography Design

After getting feedback in class, I decided to use ballerina, piano and the music notes to make my collage. Since I don't have magazines at home, I print out the images I found from online and cut it out. Since I am bad at compositions, I made few arrangements before coming to this result. This may look simple but I really like it as I like simple designs. I hope you will like it too!

Figure 2.1 Arrangement of my Collage

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Reflection
Week 5 : I am actually confused on arbitrary symbols but after I do more research and watch more videos I got it. I'm relief. I'm happy that I could use digital drawing to make my symbol, it is more convenient to make changes and experiments on colors. 

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Feedback
Week 5 : Miss Jinchi went through my sketches for imagery & typography and commented that I could make a composition for the music piano and pizza and play around with it using collage. As for arbitrary symbols, she was interested on the symbol that looks like a Z, she said it was pleasing to look at and it's very special, it should work on that.