Report proposal 2009
Title
(An investigation into the) A comparison of Spanish and British Graphic Design over the 20th Century
I propose an investigation into the graphic design world, comparing and contrasting the differences in Spanish design and the design in the UK. Taking into account cultural differences and how this affects the work, how freelance differs, the concept of a design studio and the current opinions of how design is perceived by non-designers and designers in both countries. Asking the question of how outside factors (culture, the economy, tourism, aesthetics and demand) influence the way designers work, live, and think.
I will do this by sending out surveys to designers that I know who live and work in both countries, interviewing these designers to create first hand knowledge of their opinions. Also I will collate information from websites, books, and reports that I find appropriate for my subject. This will involve generating enough substantial evidence to pull conclusions together about the design industry. I will ask a company that I did my work experience with to fill out a questionnaire, I will call them up and do a phone interview with the managing director and in house graphic designer. This will give me the opinions from a commercial point of view, mixing this with the other side of the spectrum whilst looking at the opinions of the average person. I then will look at two or three specific designers from each country and compare them and their style and how it relates to each country (whilst referencing to sources that show evidence of the graphic design industry in both countries). Hopefully resulting in defining the few exact differences between each style relating to its/their origin. Comparing and contrasting throughout, using the specific language associated with a comparison essay.
Looking back at the likes of gaudi, (more famous Spanish artists from the time of gaudi, Juan Miro, Fransico Goya up to the end of the reign of franco) and relateing the intensity of how, a country that is infamous for its fine art (holding some of the most famous artists of all time to its name) is not known for its graphic design throughout this period in any way shape or form. Why is this? A full investigation into this will take up probably a lot of the bulk in the form of a chapter in my report. I will look at the book “Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design” by Emilio Gil, which has so far, proved to be extremely helpful. Stating that:
“…how it was possible that a country with an artistic tradition as rich as Spain’s-with names as famous as Gaudí, Picasso, Gris, Miró, Julio González, Dalí, Clavé, Bores, Tàpies, and Saura- that had so expertly tapped the creative vein of the so-called greater arts would leave the fate of Spanish graphic art, considered a more vulgar occupation, in the hands of second-rate (sic) professionals and attributed the situation to the country’s lengthy political and economic isolation.” Introduction to “Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design” Emilio Gil, Introduction written by Anna Calvera
Chapter headings (Suggested)
Aim of Report-State what I intend to investigate
Introduction to design differences between Spain and UK-looking at and analysing key trends from each country, 1939 - present day.
Development in graphic design from 1939-1975 - once again comparing UK and Spain (on their development throughout this time.)
Key designers/design agencies and how the world around them influences-(compare and contrast)- relating my survey results to the work each company or designer produces and reflecting this to the publics view of design in each area to analise whether what the designers are producing is in result to the demand of the average consumer. (Focusing on the role of the designer in a consumerist point of view).
Then moving flowingly on from influences, to how Spain became only recently became know for its design and how in the last 80 years how much it has evolved. Looking at how this happened (moving on from the times of Franco), why it happened (the need for advertising?), and who it has the most influence on.
Conclusion-drawing together an overall anaylsis of the evidence that I have acquired throughout my report… answering my title question to perfection to round up and close the report.
Quotations (just a few ideas)
“ The ideas of graphic artists are images. Their graphic though. Their immensely iconic desire to communicate.” Introduction to “Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design” Emilio Gil, Introduction written by Anna Calvera
“…how it was possible that a country with an artistic tradition as rich as Spain’s-with names as famous as Gaudí, Picasso, Gris, Miró, Julio González, Dalí, Clavé, Bores, Tàpies, and Saura- that had so expertly tapped the creative vein of the so-called greater arts would leave the fate of Spanish graphic art, considered a more vulgar occupation, in the hands of second-rate (sic) professionals and attributed the situation to the country’s lengthy political and economic isolation.” Introduction to “Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design” Emilio Gil, Introduction written by Anna Calvera
Suggested bibliography
Bo Bergstrom (2008) Essentials of Visual Communication
Emilio Gil (2007) Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design, first edition published by Index Book, S.L, Barcelona
Bruno Munari (2000) Design as Art, Published by Penguin Group
John Berger (….) Ways of Seeing, Published by Penguin Group
Charles Harrison & Paul Wood (2008) Art in Theory 1900-2000
Grafik magazine (issue February 2009)
Eye magazine
Electronic Links
http://www.designobserver.com/archives/entry.html?id=6599
http://www.designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2009/mariscal
http://www.artchive.com/ftp_site.htm
Title
(An investigation into the) A comparison of Spanish and British Graphic Design over the 20th Century
I propose an investigation into the graphic design world, comparing and contrasting the differences in Spanish design and the design in the UK. Taking into account cultural differences and how this affects the work, how freelance differs, the concept of a design studio and the current opinions of how design is perceived by non-designers and designers in both countries. Asking the question of how outside factors (culture, the economy, tourism, aesthetics and demand) influence the way designers work, live, and think.
I will do this by sending out surveys to designers that I know who live and work in both countries, interviewing these designers to create first hand knowledge of their opinions. Also I will collate information from websites, books, and reports that I find appropriate for my subject. This will involve generating enough substantial evidence to pull conclusions together about the design industry. I will ask a company that I did my work experience with to fill out a questionnaire, I will call them up and do a phone interview with the managing director and in house graphic designer. This will give me the opinions from a commercial point of view, mixing this with the other side of the spectrum whilst looking at the opinions of the average person. I then will look at two or three specific designers from each country and compare them and their style and how it relates to each country (whilst referencing to sources that show evidence of the graphic design industry in both countries). Hopefully resulting in defining the few exact differences between each style relating to its/their origin. Comparing and contrasting throughout, using the specific language associated with a comparison essay.
Looking back at the likes of gaudi, (more famous Spanish artists from the time of gaudi, Juan Miro, Fransico Goya up to the end of the reign of franco) and relateing the intensity of how, a country that is infamous for its fine art (holding some of the most famous artists of all time to its name) is not known for its graphic design throughout this period in any way shape or form. Why is this? A full investigation into this will take up probably a lot of the bulk in the form of a chapter in my report. I will look at the book “Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design” by Emilio Gil, which has so far, proved to be extremely helpful. Stating that:
“…how it was possible that a country with an artistic tradition as rich as Spain’s-with names as famous as Gaudí, Picasso, Gris, Miró, Julio González, Dalí, Clavé, Bores, Tàpies, and Saura- that had so expertly tapped the creative vein of the so-called greater arts would leave the fate of Spanish graphic art, considered a more vulgar occupation, in the hands of second-rate (sic) professionals and attributed the situation to the country’s lengthy political and economic isolation.” Introduction to “Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design” Emilio Gil, Introduction written by Anna Calvera
Chapter headings (Suggested)
Aim of Report-State what I intend to investigate
Introduction to design differences between Spain and UK-looking at and analysing key trends from each country, 1939 - present day.
Development in graphic design from 1939-1975 - once again comparing UK and Spain (on their development throughout this time.)
Key designers/design agencies and how the world around them influences-(compare and contrast)- relating my survey results to the work each company or designer produces and reflecting this to the publics view of design in each area to analise whether what the designers are producing is in result to the demand of the average consumer. (Focusing on the role of the designer in a consumerist point of view).
Then moving flowingly on from influences, to how Spain became only recently became know for its design and how in the last 80 years how much it has evolved. Looking at how this happened (moving on from the times of Franco), why it happened (the need for advertising?), and who it has the most influence on.
Conclusion-drawing together an overall anaylsis of the evidence that I have acquired throughout my report… answering my title question to perfection to round up and close the report.
Quotations (just a few ideas)
“ The ideas of graphic artists are images. Their graphic though. Their immensely iconic desire to communicate.” Introduction to “Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design” Emilio Gil, Introduction written by Anna Calvera
“…how it was possible that a country with an artistic tradition as rich as Spain’s-with names as famous as Gaudí, Picasso, Gris, Miró, Julio González, Dalí, Clavé, Bores, Tàpies, and Saura- that had so expertly tapped the creative vein of the so-called greater arts would leave the fate of Spanish graphic art, considered a more vulgar occupation, in the hands of second-rate (sic) professionals and attributed the situation to the country’s lengthy political and economic isolation.” Introduction to “Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design” Emilio Gil, Introduction written by Anna Calvera
Suggested bibliography
Bo Bergstrom (2008) Essentials of Visual Communication
Emilio Gil (2007) Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design, first edition published by Index Book, S.L, Barcelona
Bruno Munari (2000) Design as Art, Published by Penguin Group
John Berger (….) Ways of Seeing, Published by Penguin Group
Charles Harrison & Paul Wood (2008) Art in Theory 1900-2000
Grafik magazine (issue February 2009)
Eye magazine
Electronic Links
http://www.designobserver.com/archives/entry.html?id=6599
http://www.designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2009/mariscal
http://www.artchive.com/ftp_site.htm
Hi Lucy,
ReplyDeleteWow – you’re trying to cover way too much here. You’ll quickly run out of words if you start writing about Spanish art and design history! You can boil the history stuff down to a timeline that can run throughout your report.
I think the most exciting aspect that you’ve proposed so far is the compare and contrast of modern day (21st century) design practice of Spanish and UK based graphic design. This is what the whole report should be about – you can easily reach 4,500 words with this. Really focus on the interviewing and primary research aspect of this project.
Maybe you can back it up with some facts and figures about the money earned by Spanish and UK designers, the sizes of the industries etc.
It could be interesting to speak to non-designers in both countries about their appreciation of graphic design too. Do Spanish people regard it higher than UK people for example?
Obviously some background in to key Spanish and UK designers etc is needed to help explain the differences but as I said above – this could be dealt with via a timeline or other graphic devices in that support the main text. They often do this in facts and figures books to cram more info in.
You need to start considering how you’ll design this proposal for Friday’s hand in too.
Keep going, whittle it down – you’ll get there in the end.
drn