Study Task 05: Studio Brief 2 - Research

Task 1 

Design sheet outlining relevant contextual research 

this design sheet must include 4 relevant different areas of contextual research that inform the design strategy related to the cop theme. 

Contexts: branding, colour, psychology

(talk about these considerations and how they've informed knowledge and design. 

Subculture - 

When we look at what subculture is there is large range in the types there are. Its defined as being a cultural group which are influnced by a larger scale group. A lot of this comes from the influence of music. 

There are a number of considerations in which are vital to further understanding design knowledge in accordance with the research question “How Relevant is the Punk subculture within Graphic design? Addressing four different areas of contextual research to best understand this question further and the design strategy.

Subculture

This being the main consideration in context with this work and giving a better understanding of subculture is a vital part of understanding the theoretical aspect of this research question. The diversity as well the the important of other subcultures and their influence on other subcultures as well as the exploration where they come from and how they influence audience. 

Cultural aspects

Identifying and understanding culture within its diversity and importance, allows creation of work which highlights this diversity as well as an awareness of the impact and how those techniques can be considered into a practical and theoretical context.

Social media

The presence of social media has been a large part in identifying work, the access of social media allows easy and efficient communication. In this consideration specifically within design there is a large library that social media creates within showcasing design, gaining inspiration from others, networking etc. Much like this there were materials in the punk movement which allowed similar opportunities between creatives.

Politics

An understanding of politics both past and present allows an understanding of what was happening in the time of the punk movement and the motivations in which politics inspired with the tone of protest, its also important to consider politics within a current climate to apply past techniques and effectively present those ideas in the same way.

Task 2 

Outlining the target audience research and considering a range of different factors in the form of different personas.


With this range of audience, there is the hope of reaching a large and diverse an audience as possible. First and second-hand research has provided answers for these considerations. 

Identifying the age range of survey to best inform work to a certain group, or if other age groups could become more engaged with a survey of this nature around the idea of punk. There is also the idea of getting a larger range of participants in order to even better inform ideals that will be presented. 

Task 3

Identifying relevant visual examples relating to practical work with informed specified research. 

Identifying different methods of visual research to better inform individual analysis of different visuals. Qualitative analysis addresses the understanding of design in terms of subjectivity, what association the viewer has to the imagery etc. Quantitative analysis is formed by the designer themselves with critical self reflection its also based on mathematical principles such as statistical methods of surveying.By generating a visual examples to test the designer is then able to put the work in context of a location to compare reactions from the target audience. This can mean doing a survey this can then be analysed to consider the moat effective outcome.

Antithesis refers to placed together. Within a design context this can be use contrasting images or text to make a dramatic effect.Irony can be Used to convey humour and be used to imply something as ironic using contradictory images and text to illustration underlying tension.

Parody refers to the production of an image for the purpose of ‘mocking’  with satirical or ironic immitation, examples of this can be seen in a protest context as well as advertising.

Pastiche is the imitation of an original piece of work, underlining intention from  the concept of parody, the work relies on the knowledge of the audience understanding the original work.

This image by Jamie Reid (1977) under the title ‘god save the queen’  relies on the use of pastiche, the image uses a well known image, in this case a royal figure which has been used to give new meaning to the image in the context its been used in, the result of this being an effective use of pastiche in that the meaning has been changed to give a tone of aggression to the work which was used within many work of the punk movement.  This work has been the main source of inspiration to the outcome created from a theoretical and practical understanding.

Although possibly not intentional this image created by Mike Joyce(2014) strong conveys irony within the outcome as the combined use of a punk band and modernist techniques. Its well known that punk was a movement that was a one of the many factors as a  ‘reaction’ against modernism and the ridgid restrictions it created. Although visually this work is aesthetically pleasing it greatly contrasts with the intention of being effective as symbolising a punk band in its minimal approach.

Although it was probably not he intent of the creator of this fashion spread (forever 21) this image uses irony in its outcome, as it appropriates the previous prominent techniques of the punk movement in order to sell merchandise which in its self is completely out of character in using these techniques as punk has been known to be heavily against consumerism, which largely motivated a lot of media around the ideals of anti-consumerism.  

Other examples of this can be seen in other instances within marketing to sell the idea of 'youth' and rebellion which has become a selling point within several marketing campaigns. 

Other examples:

Packaging used and motivated by the punk culture, the use of this technique in hair dye is effective but motivation by consumerism contradicts the core ideals so in sense its not entirely appropriate. The use of hair dye can be seen as rebellious so the use of colour and type seems to well considered in what they are trying to sell to an obvious young audience. 

This piece (creator unknown) heavily uses parody as the origin for this piece was created under a different pretence the original being inspired by Barak Obamas presidential campaign in which the poster was designed to being ‘hope’ and depicting Obama in a positive light to American people which as  a result was effective.

Antithesis is obviously apparent her as in comparison with the original work greatly contrast this depiction in the message they both attempt to convey, (image c) being a reaction of president trumps controversial political stance which greatly contradicts former president Obama’s campaign, image c Is effective in this manor as it relies on our knowledge of the original material and conveys a strong critical image to the audience.

There is also a notable prominence within meme and internet culture, inspiring art of this nature in different ways.