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Pictograms The following presentation is concerned with symbolism, icons and the reductive visual language of pictograms. This presentation shows examples of how an image can be simplified, refined or pared down to capture the subjects visual essence. This project is designed to act as a basic primer for more in depth identity projects that will follow during the students course of study. This exercise is also designed to extend the students drawing & crafting skills. We will be looking at line quality, observational skills and a students ability to visually rationalise within a context.
Semester
Year 1 - Brief 4
What is a pictogram? pictogram or pictograph noun a pictorial symbol for a word or phrase. Pictograms were used as the earliest known form of writing, examples having been discovered in Egypt and Mesopotamia from before 3000 bc.
Native North American symbols
South American Mayan Glyphs
A modern universal Pictogram
You are surrounded by Pictograms
they are a form of visual shorthand
Pictograms as Sterotypes
Stereotypes are standardized and simplified conceptions of groups based on some prior assumptions.
All Mexicans wear sombreros?
Animal Pictograms - A Fox
Pictograms are stylised representations
Pictograms are stylised representations
More examples of stylised animals
Examples of stylised hands
Reductive visual language - Johnny Walker
This image relies as much on what is not there. As the viewer you make up the rest
Reductive visual language - The colonel
Stylised and simplified
Reductive visual language - Abraham Lincoln
An Icon - Ernesto “Che” Guevara
Regarded as the most famous photograph in the world and is rivalled only by the Mona Lisa as perhaps the most replicated image ever. It is based on a photograph by alberto diaz gutierrez, who adopted the surname ‘korda’. Alberto korda captured his famous frame on 5 march 1960 during a mass funeral in havana. Korda describes che’s expression in the picture, which he labelled ‘guerrillero heroico’ as ‘encabronadao y dolente’ - angry and sad. The picture was one of only two frames taken. The original shot includes palm fronds and a man facing che, both subsequently cropped out.
An Icon - A few examples
Obahma - Shepard Fairey
Reductive visual language - The Shell Logotype
Reductive visual language - The BMW Logotype development
The circular BMW logo was a representation of a spinning propeller of a Bavarian Luftwaffe. At the time, aircrafts were painted with regional colors and the colors of the Bavarian flag were white and blue. It is said that the pilot saw the propeller as alternating segments of white and blue, hence the logo.
Reductive visual language - other car logotype development
Reductive visual language
Akzo identity - Wolf Olins
Akzo identity - Wolf Olins
Akzo identity - Detail & refinement
Past Olympics Pictograms
Berlin Olympics -1936
London Olympics -1948
Tokyo Olympics -1964
Mexico Olympics -1968
Munich/Montreal Olympics -1972/76
Moscow Olympics -1980
Los Angeles Olympics -1984
Seoul Olympics -1988
Barcalona Olympics -1992
Atlanta Olympics -1996
Sydney Olympics - 2000
Athans Olympics - 2004
A look at Archery over the years
London 48
Tokyo 64
Mexico 68
Munich 72 Montreal 76
Moscow 80
Los Angeles 84
Soeul 88
Barcalona 92
Sydney 2000
Athens 04
Beijing 08
Atlanta 96
A look at Weight lifting over the years
London 48
Tokyo 64
Mexico 68
Munich 72 Montreal 76
Moscow 80
Los Angeles 84
Soeul 88
Barcalona 92
Sydney 2000
Athens 04
Beijing 08
Atlanta 96
A look at Hockey & Ice hockey over the years
www.theolympicdesign.com/deu/olympic-collection/graphics/pictograms/
Olympics Pictograms that referencing history & culture
Winter Olympics Norway based on ancient ethnic markings
Sydney Olympics referencing aboriginal hunting tool
Beijing Olympics referenced traditional markmaking
Athens Olympics referencing mosaic and ceramic styles
The London 2012 Olympic Pictograms - Set one
The London 2012 Olympic Pictograms - Set one
The London 2012 Olympic Pictograms - Set two
www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2009/october/london-2012-pictograms
Really useful sights to look at for this project
www.london2012.com/sport www.1stmuse.com/pictograms/ www.en.beijing2008.cn/spirit/symbols/ www.1stmuse.com/pictograms/ www.theolympicdesign.com/deu/olympic-collection/graphics/pictograms/ www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/02/24/sports/olympics/pictograms-interactive.html?emc=eta1
Advice on getting started - Consider the Grid & structure
Advice on getting started - Cosider creating a Grid ofr framework
Advice on getting started -Consider continuity through shape
Symbols for a Vintner based on a circle. Simple information graphics designed to inform the customers which food goes best with which type of wine
Illustrations made from the classical Chinese tangram puzzle involving arrangements of the same seven pieces
Advice on getting started - Always draw & sketch with focus from good reference
Advice on getting started - Consider positive & negative....then colour
Mexico 68 - one of the most colourful (symbolic of the era?)
Advice on getting started - Develop & explore a range of subtle versions
Some basic equipment
that
will help
you generate your initial designs
Key words to reference throughout this exercise
Think Reference Observe Study Focus Concentration Rationalise Contextualize Simplify Reduce Refine Refine again....and again and again