book talk: Signage and infographics references

Throughout the semester I’ve been looking at the following books for inspiration on infographics, signage, and how to visualize information. Below are some recommended resources:

Visual Language for Designers: Principles for Creating Graphics that People Understand, Connie Malamed

Data Flow: Visualising Information in Graphic Design, R. Klanten, N. Bourquin, S. Ehmann, F. van Heerden

Left, Right, Up, Down: New Directions in Signage and Wayfinding, TwoPoints.Net

Graphic Simplicity: Cool, Natural, Colorful, Modern, PIE (Editor)

 

book talk: Pixel World, and others…

Throughout my research, one of my professors had lent me some resources to look over. Below are some of them:

Pixel World, by Francis Lam, is a compilation of pixel art from 31 entities around the world–a great resource for pixel-art enthusiasts! (also includes a few cut-outs and fold-outs)

Japanese Graphics NOW! Julius Widemann (Editor), Gisela Kozak (Editor) provides inspiring examples of Japanese design for packaging, promotional items, posters, ads, and much more!

Designing Interactions, by Bill Moggridge, looks at the workings of different product interactions, process, solutions…showcasing a variety of creators, designers, and teams.

Typographic Design: Form and Communication, Fifth Edition, by Rob Carter, Ben Day, Philip Meggs, provides numerous typographic examples regarding forms, usage, layout, relation with images, case studies, and more.

 

 

book talk: on the reading list…

Now that the semester is over, I’ve still got a lot of reading to do. Although I don’t know if I will read through all of these books immediately, they will be on the bookshelf:

Life Style, by Bruce Mau

Massive Change, by Bruce Mau and the Institute without Boundaries

How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer, by Debbie Millman

A Designer’s Research Manual: Succeed in Design by Knowing Your Clients and What They Really Need, Jennifer Visocky O’Grady and Keneth Visocky O’Grady

Graphic Design Theory: Readings from the Field, Helen Armstrong

book talk: Music Graphics, and others

During my time assisting for Professional Prep class, I tried to look for resources that would help the students with their projects. Below are some recommended books:

Music Graphics: A compilation of packaging, posters, and other sound solutions, by Stoltz Design, full of inspiring examples related to the music industry.

DVD-art: Innovation in DVD Packaging Design, by Charlotte Rivers, examples of dvd designs with brief information on how the designs were conceptualized and produced.

Poster-art: Innovation in Poster Design, by Charlotte Rivers, examples of various poster designs, designers from various countries, and a range of styles provided.

An Eye For Color, by Olga Gutierrez De La Roza, provides examples of color usage and color palette combinations, along with information regarding artists, designers, photographers, and their use of color in their works.

Graphic Designer’s Color Handbook: Choosing and Using Color from Concept to Final Output, Barb Karg (Author), Rick Sutherland (Author), resource on color combinations, color theory, proofing, types of paper, press sheet configurations, color types, and more.

Layout Workbook, by Kristin Cullen provides a variety of layout options, grid structures, understanding the layout structures, alternative grids, function of in a layout,  plenty of inspiring examples, a great resource for looking for ideas on how to integrate graphics and typography on a page.

book talk: Global Graphics: Symbols; Global Graphics: Color

Global Graphics: Symbols, Designing with Symbols for an International Market, by Anistatia R. Miller, Jared M. Brown, Cheryl Dangel Cullen is a good resource for learning about symbols and icons specific to different countries. It features countries from areas in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and the Near East, The Asian Pacific Rim, and The Southwestern Pacific Rim. It is a good resource for understanding some of the traditional symbols and their meanings in different areas that can help improve or enhance design solutions.

Global Graphics: Color, A Guide to Design with Color for an International Market, by L.K. Peterson and Cheryl Dangel Cullen provides valuable information regarding color and its relation to specific countries. I only looked through the color section for The Asian Pacific Rim, and saw examples from some of the  designers I’ve been studying–Henry Steiner and Kan Tai-Keung.

book talk: Chinese contemporary art

Chinese contemporary art has expanded into various forms and media–work that has integrated its traditional arts and some works art seen to be completely different and perhaps drawn influences from other cultures. Below are some books that display a wide range of Chinese contemporary art:

China Onward: The Estella Collection: Chinese Contemporary Art, 1966-2006

China Onward: The Estella Collection: Chinese Contemporary Art, 1966-2006, Britta Erickson (Author), Michael Juul Holm (Editor), Christine Barberi (Editor), Anders Kold (Editor), Poul Erik Tøjner (Foreword), Hou Hanru (Contributor) is a vast collection of artists that are influenced from traditional forms to more experimental installations. Gu Gan‘s calligraphic works focus on how aesthetics is connected with an idea rather than large amounts of text (source). Huang Yan works with a variety of media, some of his notable works include Chinese Landscapes, where traditional Chinese landscapes are painted on the skin of human bodies.

New China, New Art

New China, New Art, by Richard Vine details Chinese contemporary art in areas of painting, sculpture, installation, performance, photography, and video. Huang Yan is also featured in this book, along with others including Xu Bing, Ai Weiwei, Miao Xiaochun (just to name a few). Many of the art pieces featured have a “shock” value and a quite a radical change from the traditional arts; a great resource for learning more about the artists and their experiences as well.

Avatars and Antiheroes: A Guide to Contemporary Chinese Artists, by Claudia Albertini features a variety of Chinese artists and their art forms. The book features some work that is experimental, and uses a variety of media and settings. Some are of works of art that are set in public places and many are of installations, and it didn’t seem that any of the art featured had the ‘traditional’ arts. It is an insightful look at Chinese contemporary art and enlightening information regarding the artists’ works and influences.

book talk: Cross-Cultural Design: Communicating in the Global Marketplace

Cross-Cultural Design: Communicating in the Global Marketplace, by Henry Steiner and Ken Haas, provide inspiring examples of cultural design projects. Henry Steiner mentions (from page 2 and page 10) that cross-cultural design requires an image to be “transformed” and “redefined”; taking cultural imagery and icons and transforming them to be something personal (Resource: Steiner, Henry, and Ken Haas.  Cross-Cultural Design: Communicating in the Global Marketplace.  New York: Thames and Hudson Inc., 1995.  Print.) I think a lot of Henry Steiner’s design work (photos provided by Maryellen McFadden‘s photostream on Flickr) reflects a clever interplay of imagery, typography, and ideas of different cultures.

There are also a variety of other cross-cultural design work featured by other designers from different countries, such as, Helmut Schmid (Japan), Michael Peters (England), Pentagram (London), Bruno Oldani (Norway), Clement Mok (United States), Eiko Ishioka (Japan), Milton Glaser (United States), Saul Bass (United States)…are just a few of the designers from the list. This is a great book for those who are interested in learning more about cross-cultural design or how design is approached when designing across cultures.

Graphic Design in China…

For my Art Criticism and Theory class, I decided to research and talk about the development of graphic design in China, particularly the influence of eastern and western artistic styles and traditions on design. I have always had trouble defining what graphic design is, whether it be describing it in Cantonese or in English. From my research, graphic design is still a fairly new term that is being defined in China. Designers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai, and other areas of China are still trying to identify their own styles with international and local influences. I gave a presentation on my research of the development of graphic design across China from the 1930s to present time, focusing on the design work of influential graphic designers during these periods. I have to mention that I had trouble finding information regarding Chinese graphic design until I came across a few articles written by Dr. Wendy Siuyi Wong. Her articles contains valuable and informative information regarding influential Chinese graphic designers, the atmosphere of the population across different periods, Chinese design and Western design, integration of Eastern and Western influences, and so many useful additional resources and information to investigate from her bibliographies. These two articles were particularly inspiring when working through my research:

Design Identity of Hong Kong: Colonization, de-colonization, and re-colonization, by Wendy Siuyi Wong
http://www.yorku.ca/wsywong/homepage/articlespdf/proceedings/ead06_id117_final.pdf

In Search of a New Graphic Design Frontier in China: Establishing the “Chinese-ness” of International Style, by Wendy Siuyi Wong
http://www.yorku.ca/wsywong/homepage/articlespdf/proceedings/ADC03_wong.pdf

I went through my presentation briefly going through the periods of graphic design development:

1930s – 1949: Beginnings and development of Chinese graphic design–Shanghai style

1960s: Exposure of Hong Kong design to China; Cross-cultural designers: Henry Steiner, Kan Tai-keung, Alan Chan, Wang Xu

1970s: Flourish of Hong Kong design and education

1980s: Design exploration of local Hong Kong designers

1990s: Increase in design competitions (thematic poster design competitions) promote graphic design across China; Designers Wang Yuefei, Chen Shaohua

2000s: Influence of local and international design styles

I found the different design styles of integrating the Eastern and Western design elements fascinating. I’m currently working on my own research project where I’m integrating different cultural designs together. The designers mentioned above are just a few of the many inspiring designers that seek to fuse Eastern and Western design, and these designers continue to educate, inform, and advocate the design movement not only in areas of China but internationally. Other resources I looked at for graphic design in China:

China Design Now
Edited by Zhang Hongxing and Lauren Parker

3030 New Graphic Design In China
Edited by Javin Mo
http://www.3030press.com/

Design Identity of Hong Kong: Colonization, de-colonization, and re-colonization, by Wendy Siuyi Wong
http://www.yorku.ca/wsywong/homepage/articlespdf/proceedings/ead06_id117_final.pdf

In Search of a New Graphic Design Frontier in China: Establishing the “Chinese-ness” of International Style, by Wendy Siuyi Wong
http://www.yorku.ca/wsywong/homepage/articlespdf/proceedings/ADC03_wong.pdf

Losing In Translation 2: Graphic Design in Hong Kong and the Peoples Republic of China, by Catherine Jo Ishino
http://design-altruism-project.org/2008/09/02/losing-in-translation-2-graphic-design-in-hong-kong-and-the-peoples-republic-of-china/

New Graphic Design in China, by Verena of PingMag
http://pingmag.jp/2008/04/14/new-graphic-design-in-china/

Shanghai Futurism I: Graphic Design and Typography in China – Then and Now
http://arthubasia.org/archives/chinese-graphic-design-and-typography-then-and-now

DESIGNERS:

Henry Steiner:
http://chapters.aiga.org/content.cfm/fellow-henry-steiner
http://www.logosdesigners.com/#henry-steiner

HK’s banknote designer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=xAh8_QWqES0

Henry Steiner, a note-worthy designer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcoF-RLcyqU&feature=relmfu

Henry Steiner, A Leader in Cross Cultural Design:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iCPn68Mw7Y
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=E00BeZukVcs
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=bRmwqbhCyLw

Kan Tai-keung:
http://www.kanandlau.com/main/#en/About_Us/Company
http://www.fa.hku.hk/hkaa/artists.php?artist_id=092
http://www.sd.polyu.edu.hk/designedconference2011/kan.php?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=700&width=800

Alan Chan:
http://www.alanchandesign.com/acd/main.html
http://www.alanchancreations.com/doorbell.html
http://www.designrd.com/about-the-famous-hong-kong-designer-alan-chan.html

Wang Xu:
http://www.wangxu.com.cn/
http://www.yaneff.com/html/plates/hl_98.html

Chen Shaohua:
http://www.a-g-i.org/2173/members/shaohua.html
http://www.a-g-i.org/?lid=2173&tmpl=images&imgid=19488
http://designtaxi.com/news/19925/Limited-Edition-Coca-Cola-Bottle-Design-by-Chinese-Artist-Chen-Shaohua/

Wang Yuefei:
http://www.wangyuefei.com
http://www.a-g-i.org/2241/members/wang.html

Graphic Design trends in China

In researching for a presentation and paper on graphic design trends in China, below are some online resources:

In Search of a New Graphic Design Frontier in China: Establishing the “Chinese-ness” of International Style by Wendy Siuyi Wong

http://www.yorku.ca/wsywong/homepage/articlespdf/proceedings/ADC03_wong.pdf

Global Web Design Trends: China

http://designc7.com/journal/design/global-web-design-trends-china/

China’s young designers create products that merge tradition and innovation

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/design-architecture/chinas-young-designers-create-products-that-merge-tradition-and-innovation/219

Graphic Design Examples Worldwide: How Nationality Reflects In Artworks

http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/design/worldwide-graphic-design/

New Graphic Design in China

http://pingmag.jp/2008/04/14/new-graphic-design-in-china/

Detachment and Unification: Chinese Graphic Design

http://rthk.hk/mediadigest/md0601/05.html

other resources for Chinese design companies:

http://www.wolda.org/about

http://www.sekkeistudio.com/

book talk: Complete Color Harmony Workbook

Complete Color Harmony Workbook: A Workbook and Guide to Creative Color Combinations, text by Lesa Sawahata and Kiki Eldridge, is a guide for selecting color palettes and combinations that may be successful for creating the desired emotions/moods. The book provides a variety of examples and color schemes to portray certain atmospheres/feelings, such as (to name a few): powerful, rich, romantic, friendly, welcoming, moving, elegant, traditional, calm, regal, magical, and professional. Explanations are provided for color schemes: monochromatic, primary, secondary, complementary, split complementary, tertiary triad, achromatic, analogous, clash, neutral. This is an invaluable resource to understand concepts and terms used to explain color theory and read more about the psychology of color and how certain colors evoke different reactions.