Understanding Comics - Chapter 2

This weeks chapter talked mainly on the topic of icons and how they are viewed.
This is a interesting part of the book as it helps bring forward topics which can ultimately help designers understand what makes a design effective and not so effective.

One of the kep point mentioned in this second chapter is the notion that comics are, ".. a form of amplification through simplification". In other words, through simplication, cartoons can make a topic or idea clearer and more powerfully projected. This is done through eliminating unnesessary elements such as texture and complexity, and emphasizing the elements that better portray the idea that the artist is trying to demonstrate.


This approuch to representation definately appeals to me. Coming from a graphic design background, as a designer I more often then not use symbolism as an approuch to representing ideas.
The image below is a poster i did recently which is packed full of symbolism to represent such things as, fun, excitment, music and also events.


I also like the idea that, "When you enter the world of cartoons, you see yourself".
This is a valid point as i know that with myself, when i watch a movie, or read a book, i enjoy the story alot more if i can relate to the characters in a personal way. So in otherwords, when looking at comics, one does tend to invision him or herself as the characters or symbols. We become the content.

Understanding Comics

Upon reading Scott McCloud book "Understanding Comics" i was pleasantly surprized at how tastfully the whole thing had been presented, which ironically turned out to be in comic form using illustrations to protray information. Which is exactly what he talks about when trying to narrow down what it is exactly "Comic" means.

" Com-ics (kom'iks)n. plural in form, used with a singular verb. 1. Juxaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information and/or to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer. "
I found this defination to be very accurate in my point of view and it definately helps break about stereotypical conceptions of what comic books are.
To my experience people generally associate the word comic with the graphic novels such as X-men, spiderman, superman etc. What i liked about this book is that it helps clearify a subject that has been the base of foggy speculations and assumptions.
Scotts idea that genres, subject matter, styles or tools used have no addition in weighing what it is that makes a comic. At first this was a little shocking as i thought that comic books did have a style, and thats what you typically see when you go to a news agency.

However, with further thought i did realise that Scott was right and that these charactistics shouldnt contribute to an overall conception of comics and that the defination "Juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence" rings true.

Reading this book reminded me of a comic book i had to study in History and that was Art Spiegelman's MAUS which used comic form and illustration to present the events of the Holocaust during WWII. I remember being particularly absorbed into the story and the pictures, and its form really did help bring out a sense of empathy.

Incomplete Manifesto for Growth

"Allow events to change you"
I think this point is very valid. Throughout life we encounter a number of experiences that shape and mould our personalities slowly, and sometimes dramatically. I think its important to learn from our experiences so that we know what it is we should be looking out for in life. I think that its good to be open to knew experiences and be willing to be changed by them, as long as its in a positive way. There are some experiences that can ultimately change you for the worst, i think they should be looked out for and approuched with caution.
When it comes to me own experiences and work, i think that anything that allows me to develop a sense of empathy, or feeling dramatically enchances my ability to demonstrate them through design.

"Process is more important then outcome"
I like the concept that the journey is more important and valueble then the end. The journey itself is what we have experienced and what we hold as memories which ultimately develope the end product. WIthout a good journey, we dont have a good end.
I guess in a way this can definately apply to design in that without having any prior planning, even an idea, learning how to use photoshop, researching other designers and broadening our perception on what art is, its hard to come up with a design for, lets say, a poster.

"Avoid Software - The problem with software is that everyone has it"
I think this idea is pretty silly in my opinion. I know for a fact that more people DONT have software. Software allows us to create amazing designs, quickly and effeciently, then what would be humanly possible to do without it. I think software is critical, especially in todays societies, where the number of different medias that exist are many, any the majority of them incorporate some form of software.
To not use software and avoid it is career suicide.

Reflection

Today i went for a walk around Coogee beach and i thought about the different aspects to design, here are some of the principles that i saw along the way and took photos off:



Color:
Using different shades of one colors gives an image much depth as well as bringing some sort of visual stimulation to an otherwise boring scene.

Contrast:
Like the photo of the pink flowers, i think its important to have contrast in whatever design is being created. Contrast helps give a sense of depth and dimension.

Texture:
This photo of a trunk from a Eucalyptus tree has alot of texture to it. This aspect in my opinion gives much character to an object.

Movement:
From observing these hanging branches, you can really start to understand animation through cause and effect. When the branch flows one way parts of the vine is met with resistance by the air which causes it to arc at the bottom and equally when it starts to fall back to its original position when the winds ceases. For every action there is a reaction.

Light:
From looking at this picture of a leaf, it helps a designer determine how best to make an object in an image appear to have thickness and also what its made off. The light shinning through the leaf tells us that it is very thin and delicate.
It also shows us where the light and the object orientate themselves within the picture.
Once again, this sort of principle and approach to design can lead to realistic designs with contrast and depth.