OUGD401: STUDIO TASK 2 - Beauty, Style & Taste

Aesthetics

On Friday for Fred's session we were asked to bring in six images. Two with just image, two with image and type and two with just type. For each of the two we had to pick one we liked, and one we disliked.

Likes:

Dislikes:

We split into groups and discussed why we like and disliked each of the images. We were then asked to pick one of ours likes and one of our dislikes, and asked to write descriptive words which we thought best described the image. As a group we collected all the descriptive words for the images we like and all the words for the images we disliked

Like
Illustrative
Simple
Relatable
Clean
Symmetrical
Minimal
Sophisticated
Interesting
Crisp
Textured
Hand Rendered
Harmonised
Organic
Colourful

Dislike
Blurry
Cluttered
Random
Illegible
Boring
Grainy
Dull
Cheesy
Inconsistent
Silly
Confusion
Cheep
Weird

We looked at the different length of times it takes to make an opinion of something. We swapped pictures with a partner and without looking turned the image over. We were allowed to view the images for 5 seconds before turning it around and writing two words which we thought best described the image. We did this for 10 seconds, then 20 and then compared with our partner the words which we'd written for the same image. As a class everyone had picked the preferred images correct and the images which were disliked as dislikes, showing that everyone had similar tastes.

From this, in partners we made a list of aesthetic rules which we thought applied to images that we liked. Here were mine and Sam's rules:

1. Composition must be clear and legible
2. A considered use of colours
3. Innovative and creative design
4. A certain level of skill for the execution of the design
5. Use of original imagery
6. Clean and clear message
7. Appropriate and effective use of language.
8. Suitable choice of media.

From this list we realised that not every rule was to everyones likings. We then made five rules which fit to our own personal opinion of good Graphic Design.

1. A certain set of skill for the execution of the design
2. Innovative, clear and simple message.
3. A considered and intelligent use of type. imagery and colour

Above is the list of rules which everyone came up with for themselves.