Visual Communication & Textiles Research

Four disciplines within 2D design are Illustration, Graphic Design, Textiles and Animation.
We have been asked to research some artists that work within these areas.

Stefan Sagmeister - Graphic Designer & Typographer

'Things I have learned in my life so far'

The above piece of work is a book written and designed by Sagmeister. It contains 15 different covers that can be placed behind the cut out image of Sagmeister, changing the overall front cover. I think this idea is very clever as when you are changing the image, you are not only altering the designer's appearance, but the images can also be making reference to Sagmeister's personality or mood. It also allows the audience to interact with the work and has an aspect of fun, which I like.

Noma Bar - Graphic Designer

Bar uses simple shapes, bright colours and negative space to create very clever and fun images. When looking at his work, you first see a number of shapes, which you then realise have been put together to create a whole image. One of his pieces that I particularly enjoyed is 'Birdland' (above). At first, it looks like someone hand picking a desert island, but is also a tropical bird. I also love the bright colours used. It is amazing how Bar is able to communicate so easily with the viewer having only used a small selection of shapes.
Another one of Bar's works that interested me was 'Green Entrepreneurs.' The industrial chimney emitting green smoke also represents a tree. This could be making reference to how the burning of fossil fuels is destroying our planet and all it's nature. however, the title of the piece also suggests that a number of entrepreneurs are attempting to create energy without using natural resources or destroying our environment, and so are protecting, or 'growing' trees; hence why the tree is also growing from the chimney.

Matthew Williamson - Textile & Surface Pattern Designer

Williamson designs patterns for clothing, wallpaper and furniture. Many of his designs include flowers and nature. I really like the pattern on the left because of the beautiful detail in the leaves and birds. It has a very linear theme, and the birds look as if they are falling or gliding through the plants.
 
The pale colour scheme also works very well. The aqua green/blue of the leaves and the bright pinks and purples of the birds complement each other nicely, and stand out against the pale gold coloured background.
 
 
 
 
 

Timorous Beasties - Textiles & Surface Pattern Design Company
 
The patterns designed by Timorous Beasties have a very Victorian and Royal feel to them, as the patterns are often immensely detailed. Many of their designs are inspired by a historical figure or theme. For example, 'Opera Botanica' is part of the 'Darwin' series. The flowers are drawn in the style of flowers in a botanical observation book, and I love the aged feel this gives. The colours of the design are very rich and dark, making the pattern very warm.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sara Fanelli - Illustrator

 

 
Fanelli is an illustrator who does commissioned work and also writes and illustrates children's books. She has a very distinctive style, creating amusing and playful images with a childlike, scratchy drawing style and sometimes collage.
 
In the illustration above Fanelli has uses a warm colour pallet and images of eyes to make a very amusing looking monster. The different expressions of the eyes and the tiny pairs of glasses that the monster clearly cannot use make this piece humorous and light hearted. I love how Fanelli uses a wide range of media in her work to make it very visually interesting for children and adults alike.
 
I also love Fanelli's use of font. In her illustrations the text looks handwritten and scrawls across the page and becomes part of the image itself, and you can almost imagine a child saying the phrases when reading them.

Olivier Kugler - Illustrator

 
Kugler is a 'reportage' illustrator, meaning his work is based on the places he has visited and the people he has met, and reporting on events he has witnessed through drawing. I find his work fascinating as not only has he developed a wonderful style of illustration, but his pieces are also informative and carry a lot of meaning. I like this as it means his work is more than just aesthetically pleasing, and so challenges the viewer more.
 
 Kugler uses overlapping line drawings and colours to create a very visually interesting and layered final image. This also adds movement, as if Kugler has really captured an event or scene in time.