Guest Blog - Dylan Smith: Shadow Sculptures

Dylan Smith is an illustrator at Savannah College of Art and Design. He's pretty clever, so I asked him to write something for my blog concerning the arts. He gave me an article that looks into the sculpture world. I think it's really interesting, hope you do too.

Tim Noble and Sue Webster are a pair of UK based artists who produce  unique and exceedingly multi-dimensional art. They have explored numerous mediums but have now settled into a unique sculptural technique and style, becoming recognized around the world for their deceptive “shadow sculptures.”  Noble and Webster’s sculptures are all constructed of seemingly mundane objects, often times trash is a key component in their work.  Upon first inspection of these works they don’t seem to amount to much, literally piles of trash, but when they are lit with a spotlight, their true nature is shown.  Each of these three dimensional heaps hides within it a perfectly articulated two dimensional “shadow” image which is completely unlike the pile of trash now laying before it.  The work “Dirty White Trash”  is a perfect example.  The seeming heap of waste that wouldn’t be uncomfortable on a trash barge (there are even sea gulls picking through the piece)  hides within it the silhouettes of both artists.  It is, in fact, a self portrait in more than one fashion, as the trash used to create the piece is actually all the accumulated trash the artist produced over the months making the piece. 

John Foster: Accidental Mysteries

John Foster is a writer/photographer who reports on designobserver.com as well as other publications/blogs. He recently made a post that highlighted mysterious patterns in nature. The beautiful images caught my eye.

I have always thought about how all humans do is emulate aspects of nature. It shows in our actions and our perception of design. Ever since I was little I was drawing things and shapes just like these. This proves the human conscious is bound to natural facts. Every culture has design that is "organic" (that's in quotations because everything is organic, even industry, but I digress...).

These are some drawings I did when I was younger that remind me of the previous pictures.

I have a million other, further developed drawings that share a dendritic, organic, or tubular theme. I imagine as my neurons fire in my brain while drawing, I subconsciously draw out the patterns of my thoughts. Maybe that's why I've identified with automatic art for most of my life.

I think if we learn to tap in to our primordial gifts of understanding and emulating nature, we could all make beautiful art. Ever wonder why children's art sometimes looks like a master painted it (watch "My Kid Could Paint That")?

So why am I talking about this? I think that if we returned to an automatic (chance driven, subconscious) thought process while designing, all design would benefit. Don't quote me on that though. If someone drew squiggles on paper and wrote "come to McDonald's" under it I might cry. Wait, actually that's better than most McDonald's advertising.

The Mars Volta - Great Music, Great Design

I love The Mars Volta. I've listened to them for over a decade now, and they never get old. Their music is complex and brilliant. They are an acquired taste, because (like most great things) people aren't used to something different. They are nothing like what's on the radio, so they don't appeal to people who like to follow trends or fit in with a large group. You might say they require thought, which most people my age today don't want to do. Lord forbid we listen to music that's not in 4:4. But I digress, I've gotta stop talking about their music and my general hatred for mainstream music. I could go on forever (not exaggerating).

What I want to highlight is their design. Every CD they've ever put out has pushed the boundaries of CD design. They always choose artists that are known for surreal or "different" styles. It fits their music perfectly. Storm Thorgenson did their first album "Deloused in the Comatorium", which was amazing. But their new artist Jeff Jordan is very different, yet still as engaging.

Here is an older CD cover from "Frances the Mute". It's not Jeff. But it's great. It reminds me of the organized chaos which is The Mars Volta.

Here is the Jeff Jordan CD cover art from "Amputechture".

Crazy right? This piece is called "Mutant", which The Mars Volta had to have. They have also commissioned Jeff to do other CD covers for them. Their latest album "Octahedron", for example.

Kudos to Jeff Jordan for making amazing art, and for supporting a band that makes amazing music.

Go to jeffjordanart.com and check out his work. And if you're brave, buy some of the Mars Volta's music. Frances the Mute is my personal favorite album, but I could see how Deloused in the Comatorium could be more accessible to "new ears".

Artist Interview: Ashley Tipton

I chose to interview graphic designer Ashley Tipton because I know her work. I've seen some of her posters and packaging in the halls at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. Her work is exactly what I like to see as far as design goes. Not shouting for attention, just demanding it. I sat down with her on the design floor at SCAD to ask her about her work and herself.


How would you classify yourself as a designer?

"As a designer I would say I'm a minimalist. I'm mostly interested in minimal, conceptual, and interactive design. That's why I prefer packaging design over anything else."

What's so good about package design?

"I just love the feel of paper and paper mechanics. Well, anything 3-D for that matter. Anything that I can get my hands on. I feel more connected with my work when I can touch it."

Who is a big inspiration to your work?

"I love Paula Sherr, Neville Brody, Saul Bass, and Massimo Vignelli. Especially Massimo, he has the most creative freedom out of anyone."

So is it all about creative freedom to you?

"Yes and no. It's more about how creative one can be while still providing a service for a client. Hopefully one day I'll be able to just do whatever I want no matter what anyone else wants."

So then what is your dream job?

"I'd love to be a packaging designer for Marc Jacobs or someone like that. Fashion or cosmetic packaging design. Yea, that sounds right."

What's your dream internship?

"Marc Jacobs. Duh."

So let me ask you some design questions. What's your favorite color?

"Blue. But design wise I can't and don't have a favorite color."

What's your favorite typeface to use?

"As far as serifs go I like Clarendon, Bodoni, and Sabon. My favorite sans serif is most definitely Univers."

Has SCAD helped you discover yourself as an artist?

"Most definitely, before college I knew I wanted to design but I had no idea what design really was. It really opened my eyes and gave me experience I never thought I'd get from school."

What's been your favorite project at SCAD?

"I did a package design for the movie Despicable Me. It was a DVD case that could be converted into a rocket and the DVD itself was the moon. I loved it. I also did invitations for a Day of the Dead festival and a poker tournament that turned out really nice. I was proud of myself. My teachers responded well to them."

Who's your favorite teacher here?

"Henry Kim. I am really attached to other professors as well, but Henry fit my personality just right."

Who is your favorite visual artist (not involving graphic design for commercial use)?

"Robert Morris is amazing. I would have to say Judd is my favorite because of the functionality of his work. He invites people to interact."

I asked you to bring two pieces of graphic design (not packaging) that shows who you are. Tell me about them.

"My Bodoni poster was for Typography II. I had to make a lecture poster that advertised a guest speaker and what he would speak about. I chose Massimo Vignelli and the topic of Bodoni because Bodoni is one of the typefaces he actually likes. He even created his own version of it, so I thought it was appropriate."

"The other poster I did was for my Graphic Design Studio I class. It was about my identity as an artist. I used an industrial paper background to show my love for paper/packaging. The text says "I put my identity into another identity", meaning that I am malleable as a designer and fit myself to the client. The fingerprint is self-explanatory."

Simple Designs Make Me Happy

I know I keep going on and on about minimalism, but I'm convinced it is key to design. It's the same theory as delivering a good speech - you have to be interesting while being clear, concise, and efficient. Cut the fat but taste better than bacon. I found some examples today that caught my eye.

First thing I found was this poster for a film called Coffee and Cigarettes. To be able to refine the title down to simple images like this is amazing. Makes me think gritty/black and white (don't know if the movie is, you know what I mean) drama about an intellectual or something like that.

Then I found a poster that paid homage to Stanley Kubrik's, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Very clever. If you've ever seen the movie, which you completely should have already, a large monolith is found in space (I'm not going any further, rent the movie). The simple use of the long, square, monolith shape is great. It even emphasizes 2001.

You can read about the designer and project here --> http://www.experimentaljetset.nl/archive/neutral.html

Are you thinking, "Brock, yes you're completely right about minimalism and about everything in general. But what happens if I want more embellishment in my design?"

Just because the designs I chose are brilliantly simple doesn't mean that color, forms, and other elements can't make good design. Take this for example.

This involves more motion, elements, and embellished characteristics, but the overall composition is simply organized. Making this minimal in nature. No fat, just the visual reference of doves, title, and text.

Even information should be minimal (like my speech reference). Look at this poster categorizing different types of flint. That could be really, really, really boring. But the organization, imagery, and style makes this design nice to look at and easy to absorb.

Now I'm not saying complicated things aren't good design. Take the Sistine Chapel for instance. That is extremely complicated, but the composition was planned to fulfill certain references and requirements. All I'm trying to convey is that design should make graphic and conceptual sense.

Great Movie Posters

Levi's had a "rolling roadshow" in 2010. It was a movie event sponsored by Levi's that took place at different event spaces/establishments on different dates. The movies shown were classics, including Red Dawn, Robocop, There Will Be Blood, Dirty Harry, Rocky, The Godfather, etc.

Whoever did their posters, pat yourself on the back. They stay true to the original movie while utilizing a new and artistic design. There are references in the compositions that speak to people that have experienced the films. However, the designs are efficient enough to tell a new/potential viewer the feel of the movie.

The Godfather poster is very clever, but I don't think that someone who's never heard of the movie would get it. Screw whoever hasn't heard of the Godfather though.

Dirty Harry is probably my favorite. I bet Clint would like that on his wall. It is so minimal yet conveys so much emotion and reveals key plot/character notes. On that note the There Will Be Blood poster does that too. The black minimal space hits me just right.

These designs go to show you that good ideas/design/advertising must be honed down to its most minimal state. They are easy to look at,  get information from, and to recognize. Orange usually bugs me too, but not here - looks vintage, not cheesy.

Sorry, I Had To

First off, in no way am I making fun of anyone's faith.

Second, in no way am I insulting Christianity or the Bible (anyone's faith).

Third, IN NO WAY AM I MAKING FUN OF ANYONE'S FAITH.

...just this awful advertisement. I can honestly say if the apocalypse happens on May 21, 2011 I could be comfortable in knowing that I wasn't making fun of God. I just had to poke fun at the guy who made this and thought he was helping. I know you're intentions are pure buddy, but you aren't helping your cause by making me wince and chuckle at the same time.

Look at the yellow text button on the top. It looks like an infomercial guarantee. I imagine the church's pastor putting two thumbs up as he says, "The Bible guarantees it!" - then his teeth sparkle. Maybe Billy Mays walks in somewhere. And I love how it's inviting people to come and change their ways/prepare for the apocalypse just a week before Judgement Day. "Monday through Friday come on down, but Saturday you're screwed!"