Previous Iterations

Reflections

The task at hand was to highlight multiple "Type Crimes," while displaying them in a strictly guidelined poster. One was much more restrictive, allowing one color and black, one type-face, and one font size, while the other allowed up to three type-faces and had no restriction on color. However, both posters must utilize a "grid" and have at least three distinct sets of visual hierarchy. 

My initial concept was to have an utter chaotic, but structured set of posters, but it soon involved into a project of two posters that were polar opposites, but with enough similarities to where they could complement each other as a set. One was supposed to "show," while the other was intended to "tell." This idea came to be by simply not enjoying the way the more limited poster turned out, while also feeling challenged by what my fellow colleagues came up with. I wanted to try and show up, not satisfied with only doing the bare minimum. The less limited poster attempts to utilize the grid in various ways, changing contact points to produce a maniacal, but still structured feel. The other adheres strictly to the grid in a minimalist, no frills sort of way. An extra picture is attached with a pinstripe, which while more aesthetically pleasing doesn't fit the utilitarian purpose of the project.

For the less limited poster, I essentially threw things against the wall to see what would stick. It involved many hours of shifting where each word would connect to the grid, which way the example should be orientated, which colors to use, etc. The other involved fiddling with various methods of listing information, while researching palettes and references to best nail down that 50's-60's aesthetic. The more limited poster was based more around automobile styling, where as the less restricted one was based around propaganda posters and the modern, faux 50's style meant to imitate the yesteryear for nostalgia.

In this assignment, I learned how to become creative with strict guidelines. Very few of my colleagues enjoyed this assignment, with many breathing a sigh of relief as soon as it was finished. I thought I had worked with restrictions before, but the problems this task provided proved otherwise. Even thinking of an idea for this project was an arduous task, but through it I've learned how well heavy limitations can spark creativity. It reminds me of early video game design, to where they were only allowed limited amount of space. Many older games are less than an MB, but through clever work arounds they pioneered an entire industry. THat's something I intend to do with my art, pioneer an industry.