Art and Design A comprehensive guide for creative artists - Aaltodoc

Illustrations can be done as painting artworks, collage
and weaving. They can also be combined with text.
Make sufficient consultations from friends about which
illustration would be better than another.
Some illustrations are meant to be done in collaborative
projects to achieve particular learning aims. That being the
case, ask for advice or comments from a decision maker at
hand, or art director about where to choose from and why.
Basing on the opinions provided, make possible changes
before adding colours. Avoid proximity of strong colours—
near the illustration. In other words, leave some empty
(white) spaces. Empty gaps or spaces are absolutely
necessary for they result into breathing space.
According to Larned's (1925, 99) importance of white areas;
“The illustrative feature will profit by white space. In many
instances, the picture without a background is vastly
preferable to one in which every inch of space is cluttered.”
White areas provide the eyes with breathing spaces. Thus,
even as it may be essential to use strong colours in a design,
knowing how to use them—has a profound effect on the
success of a destined illustration or design.
How to explain a visual/identification symbol
It is not so easy to assign a particular meaning to each and
every visual or identification symbol, except if a designer
started by trying to examine some hidden facts concerning
particular details found in each one of them.
Hidden facts are almost certainly used as the guiding
aspects which stir up actual meanings of an existing visual
or identification symbol. For instance, we all see letters as
individual characters, but characters are concrete symbols.
They hide meanings and functions in abstract symbols. But
it's not until graphic designers make a clear translation of
those meanings that observers and readers will manage to
interpret them.
Equally, as we have previously stated visual or identification
symbols MUST be brief, simple and easy to interpret.
In Lidwell et al.'s (2010, 288) Stickiness, “simplicity can be
expressed simply and succinctly, without sacrificing depth.”
That is to say, visual designs and identification symbols are
easy to understand when they are depicted with “clarity”
or “straightforwardness.” On the other hand, it is as well
fundamental for a designer to make efforts of testing
the obtained design in small, or in suitable large sizes on
surfaces that cause delight and satisfaction to a prototype.
On the contrary, visual adaptations such as trademarks,
word messages; are ordinarily associated with one single
word logo. White (2002, 242) states that a logo “comes from
a Greek term.” It is “widely used to indicate all corporate
trademarks ... or a combination of marks (symbols).” For this
reason, do not be surprised to find a badge, an emblem,
coat of arms, monogram marked out as a logo.
Certainly, visual adaptations of identification symbols,
which are easy to understand, support a rapid mutual
comprehension for users. Moreover, throughout the
course of designing visual and identification symbols, it is
sometimes necessary to integrate some details of deception
to avoid forgeries. Thus, will put control to un-authorised
reproductions.
In conclusion, the meanings of words stated in the tables
indicated below are only relevant and limited to academic
or educational objectives. Altogether, some explanations
may reveal exact meanings as proclaimed by the following
books: The Penguin, Dictionary of Art and Artists (1997), as
well as Macmillan Essentials Dictionary for Learners of English
(2000).
Monogram
It is a decorative design created by using the first
letter of one's name, institution or company—
in an interwoven way. Monograms are easy to
make if a designer is excellent with drawing
letters or writing calligraphy.
- Make a list of monograms you know.
It is a symbolic object—designed for
well-judged aims or aspirations. Emblems serve
specified groups of people, associations, a
nation, a family and organisations as visual representations.
- Look out for examples of Emblem items and
list them.
It is almost identical to a label because it
functions by sticking it onto a surface; of a
car body, medicine containers and foodstuff
packages. In our case, a sticker is a piece of
(plastic) paper used for decorating surfaces. It
is commonly used to show visual information,
pictures and words. Today stickers are used for
advertising; on billboards and signposts.
98 99
Emblem
Sticker