OUGD401 - Context of Practice, Task 4

Study Task Four : Collect and critically analyse 5 examples of Modernist and Postmodernist Graphic Design. When analysing each image focus on;

a) why you consider each image to be Modernist / Postmodernist
b) whether you think that the image is successful or unsuccessful
c) relate your analysis to the terminology intoruced in the session
d) use at least one quote from the essay by Massimo Vignelli to back up your analysis

Modernist

I consider this cover design by Carlo Vivarelli to be a modernist piece as it has been specifically designed to be functional which is a trait of the modernist movement. The design itself has is quite 'minimalistic' style, Vivarelli has not 'embellished' the design but instead focused on the function of the magazine which is shown by the title of the magazine, which is in three languages French, English and German so it can be understood internationally.     

I believe this piece is successful as a magazine cover, as Vivarelli has communicated the subject of the magazine through his design which is the aim of a magazine cover. I also believe that although it was designed over fifty years ago, that this design would still be relevant today.

I consider this design to be a modernist piece, as like Carlo Vivarelli's design for New Graphic Design, the designer has considered the function of the design during the design process. I believe the piece which aims to advertise or promote the Bauhaus, fulfils its purpose as the designer has incorporated a photograph of the establishment as well as its name and the dates in which it was open.

  I feel this design is successful as an advertisement for the Bauhaus as the designer has successfully communicated the experimental style which the establishment was famous for.

I consider this magazine design by Herbert Bayer to be modernist as again, Bayer has kept the cover design as minimal as possible, with no 'embellishment' such has price, barcode or titles of articles inside the magazine. Bayer also used photography as media for this piece, which during the modernist movement was relatively modern technique and threatened the use of paint which was the current way to document.

I consider this piece, 'Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge' by El Lisitsky to be modernist as Lisitsky has used basic shapes to simplify the portrayal of the storming of the Winter Palace in 1917, where the communists (or the 'Reds') fought the Tsarist forces (or the 'Whites').

I believe the basic shapes used Lisitsky, successfully create a striking layout particularly the red triangle which stands out against the black and white imagery.

I consider this poster design by Rodchenko to be modernist as again, the design has minimal 'embellishment' as Rodchenko has laid out the information so it is legible to the viewer which is the function of a poster. Rodchenko has also shown influence of modernist piece, 'Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge' by mimicking the 'circle and triangle shape' within this design.

Post Modernist

I consider this piece by David Carson to be post-modernist as Carson is trying to convey his belief that the legibility of design is not equate to it communicating, whereas modernists believe design should 'answer all the questions posed by the problem' and be functional. 

I consider this magazine cover to be a post-modernist piece, as compared to Carlo Vivarelli's simplistic and functional cover for New Graphic Design this piece is over the top and garish. Unlike Vivarelli, the designer has not considered the function or legibility of the magazine which is evident from word 'Art' which has been placed upside down.

I consider this piece by Neville Brody to be post-modernist as again, compared to the simplistic design by Vivarelli for the cover of New Graphic Design this piece has many different styles and ideas incorporated into it. I also believe by applying a 'blur' effect to the image and altering the orientation of the title, 'Face' Brody has shown experimentation into what is legible and how far he can push his design, which is a common trait within the post-modernist movement.

I believe this is a postmodernist piece as the 'smashed' effect the designer has used on the photograph, makes it illegible, the designer has used this effect to experiment with layout and not considered the legibility of the image. This is an example of function following form which is a common trait in post-modernism.

I consider this double page spread by David Carson to be post-modernist piece as Carson has not considered the function of the piece, which is an article about musician Bryan Ferry. As the typeface for the article, Carson has used Zapf Dingbats which is uses symbols instead of letterforms and is therefore illegible.