First introduction handed in.

DANIEL CARUANA LUPI

CRITICAL STUDIES HND2.

INTRODUCTION:

For several decades magazines, books and newspapers have been circling the world to satisfy the customer satisfaction for that unique reading experience. Print was once an innovation to us all, but quickly gained popularity and took over all sorts of medium. Print is not dead but there is a clear change occurring.  Part of my discussion is whether screen is taking the place of print or if it is just another alternative.   In today’s day and age, with the advancement of technology, is the tangibility and said user reading experience going out of the window or is it just getting better? Throughout my essay I will be discussing the transition from print to screen, how it has changed and how it is evolving with time and advancements in technology. I will be discussing how the use of different media can help enhance this rich experience and help forward toward the better, yet still keeping in mind traditional elements. This is all very revolutionary and one could say that the last time something this big happened was with the invention of movable type by Johannes Gutenberg.

new title. new approach.

After thorough research for my presentation, and carrying it out in front of my classmates, a problem arises (Obviously).  Don't get me wrong, the presentation was good. I showed confidence and briefed my peers well on what I planned to do with my thorough explanation. 

However, my title was very similar to Waylon's. Even though his was more magazine directed, fashion magazine if I'm not mistaken, and mine was web based. I decided to take my already carried out research and tried to tweak my title so as not to have a clash with same information. After an evening or two ( probably a week, not going to lie..) I finally brought all my information and brainstorming together to present my new title: 

"''Print vs. screen in 2014. 
How the grid changes when applied to a screen of interactivity. 
Transferring a design from one platform to another and how it changes keeping in mind traditional elements.''

things I will be discussing to support said title:

A design doesn’t always work the same on different platforms and the transferring of print layout to screen is sometimes too literal. 

Why the traditional magazine layout not work on screen.
What is being done…
Evolution with technology and how it could help.
You need to convince a person to want to read online. If its exactly the same as the book but just on screen, what’s the point? Just buy the book… 
Texture, feeling, senses? – in relation to book vs. screen.
Print in context of print 
Screen in context of screen 
The grids (for above) need to change – becomes its own platform. You need to get rid of the mad in the middle and focus on them as two separate elements. 

Title planning

Here I am just jotting down notes and ideas on scrap paper trying to form titles, which I feel will be interesting to discuss and keep a reader attentive throughout. What I have come up with so far..

One:
Through mimimalisation over the tears, logos have lef to immediate identification. Through my essay I will be discussing minimalist logos and how they came to be and the relationship between its effect and consumer.

- discussing positive and negative overall effect of having a minimalist logo.
- discuss the evolution and creation of said subject.

Two:
Logos are more minimal in this day and age. this evolution has also resulted in immediate recognition. I will be discussing the relationship between minimal lgos and the consumer and how effective it is.

my argument: minimal logos and selling the product with immediate identification.

Three:
Grid design is one of the first things you will hear about in Graphic Design, undoubtedly. But is it as important as one puts it out to be? In my essay I will be discussing whether a grid is needed and if it is important to base your design upon one.

At this point I will need to look at something in particular, obviously. Magazines (Fashion, motor home design), posters, web design? Which would make a more interesting dicsussion? Compare and contrast, maybe?

By my next lesson and post, I will hopefully be on track, with the chosen title at hand and will be able to start proper research both online and at the library.

discussing my proposal before deadline.

After consulting my tutor about which title she deemed most appropriate for this task was number three. 

Notes for proposal:

The grid is always looked up to by all sorts of designers - why? 
Keep in mind, always, the content, context and your viewers.

are we just convinced and told a grid system works or is it really as important as we make it out to be? 
If we always hear about the proper ways to design a grid, why aren't we shown how to break it? 
technically no structure is still a structure. Is it all in our mind?

books which I found most helpful so far are:

Blackwell, L., 2000. The End of Print: The Grafik Design of David Carson. 2nd ed. London: Laurence King Publishing. Tondreau, B., 2009. Layout Essentials. 100 design principles for using grids. Massachusetts: Quayside Publishing Group. 

Limitations:
None in particular as of yet. Obviously I am still in the very beginning but we'll see as it goes along. I'm sure something will pop up. It always does. 
I need to make sure as not to be too biased towards my argument. Keep an open mind and compare and contrast different peoples opinions.
Lots of people seem to love to give their opinion and write what (they think) is correct on their blogs, websites and tumblr accounts. I therefore need to make sure that the information I get is coming from a reliable source.

my work plan brainstorm:

·      Read both books and blogs and gather useful points to help me carry out my argument.

·      Brainstorm and list important facts from previous research. 

·      Compare and contrast different opinions and validate them.

·      Research both use of the grid and breaking of the grid in both print and web.

·      get outside opinions on my work and progress and see where there is room for improvement and my argument comes along.

Where it all started.

Through these blogposts, I will be taking you through my journey of how I come to finishing my final product - in this case, my long essay of 3,500 words. As of yet I am not 100% sure where I am going to go with this but here are a few pointers I need to follow and some idea generation. 

Firstly  I need to see what I am going to be arguing towards. 

What is my argument? what do I want to discuss and why? What is the message I am going to be getting across to my reader once he is done with my essay?

Topic > bi-topic (reason to argue) >subtopic (eg:Logos, branding, advertising, posters...) 

Don't talk about, say the development of logos. Surely mention it in your essay but it cannot be your title. 

pointers for logo essay, if chosen:
 logos which are more minimal 
evolution has resulted into immediate identification 
facilitating comsumers into choosing one brand over another 
minimal logos and the consumers - how effective is it?
your argument: "A minimal logo and selling it" or "Immediate identification"

note to self: It is important to research sources for choosing your essay. Do not only rely on blogs, websites and so forth. Make sure you have book with which you can back up your argument with. 

another title possibility to go around (?):
Logotypes - positive/negative and/or overall effect of having a minimal logo.