THE OBJECT POSTER
This object poster, an advertisement for Priester matches, was designed by graphic artist Lucian Priester in 1906 (www.designishistory.com/1920/lucian-bernhard/www.designishistory.com/1920/lucian-bernhard/). The poster won first prize in a design competition held by Priester matches. This design is considered by many as the singular design which launched the beginning of modern graphic design as we know it.
Its significance as a visual message is two fold:
• first, the use of a simplified image to convey a subject and/or context in the viewer's mind, and
• second, the juxtaposition of a word with the image to signify and/or associate the image with something.
We are going to investigate the communicative power of the relationship between word and image, and then eventually design a contemporary object poster or two.
Its significance as a visual message is two fold:
• first, the use of a simplified image to convey a subject and/or context in the viewer's mind, and
• second, the juxtaposition of a word with the image to signify and/or associate the image with something.
We are going to investigate the communicative power of the relationship between word and image, and then eventually design a contemporary object poster or two.
Phase IA- IMAGING & MESSAGING
To begin this design project, choose a quotidian object you have some familiarity with: an object that might be associated with an activity that you enjoy, or an object that you use on a regular basis. For example, a Jeep would work.
Next, compile a collection of simple images of the material object itself without any background, or context. You will eventually use these images as reference to render the image from three visual approaches —
• a Photograph
• a Pictograph
• an Abstraction
The collection should include a minimum of three object images, three for each category. Each of the images should only express what the object IS - its denotation, and not have any reference to the object's connotation – what it DOES, or what it might stand for.
Post the image research on your blog as a Design Project entitled Object Poster no later than the beginning of class, Tuesday, January 15th.
The next phase of this project is to create a series of twelve meaningful visual statements regarding your object. You will do so by combining your three individual object images (photograph, pictograph, and abstraction) with a word, a color, and/or a contextual visual signifier, within a single composition.
• Create four meaningful visual compositions which express what your Object Is.
• Create four meaningful visual compositions which express what your Object Does.
• Create four meaningful visual compositions which expressing your Object’s Benefit.
Post the explorations on your blog no later than the beginning of class, Tuesday, January 22nd.
Print them out, and hang them on the crit wall by the beginning of class on the same day.
Phase 1B- CONTEMPORARY AD CAMPAIGN
Many contemporary advertising campaigns today are created using this approach to messaging making — the semiotic juxtapositioning of signifiers with a product and/or service object image as the predominate visual. Singular words are often replaced nowadays with short headlines.
This phase of the Object Poster assignment is to create a contemporary ad campaign of three ads about a product and/or service of your choice, for a client and/or sender of your choice, marketed to defined audience of your choice by juxtaposing image(s), word(s), and signifier(s) into a synergistic message. You may also want to create a quick identity for your sender to accompany the ad campaign.
Start the project by writing a Creative Brief for the project. Compile a Word List to aid in the development of your headlines. Research, collect and compose an Image Board to aid in the development of your signifiers.
Post all of your process in the design and development of your ads on your blog under a new post entitled Contemporary Ad Campaign.Your finished ad campaign will be due posted on your blog, and printed out and hung on the crit wall, no later than the beginning of class, Tuesday, February 5th.
