Week 3: Graphic Design History

   This week's tutorial was on graphic design history. There are two parts to this, namely the history of symbols and typography history. To start things off, I'm sure everyone know what symbols are, and that is as as a universal means to convey unspoken and unwritten messages. Basically, symbols function as an "alphabet of human thought", and as such is unhindered by barriers such as language and education. Of course, there are many forms of symbols, and some of which we learnt include pictograms, ideograms, Rebus, logotypes, trademarks and corporate identities.

Below are some examples of each:

Pictogram:

Source: http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/minimal-free-icons/dot-pictograms-icons-for-minimal-style-web-designs.jpg

Ideogram:

Source: http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs48/f/2009/223/e/4/Ideograms_by_Archeleron.jpg

Rebus:

Source: http://www.xkgfs.com/images/example-of-a-rebus-story.jpg

Logotypes:

Source: http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs23/f/2007/328/5/e/Logos_And_Logotypes_III_by_deleket.jpg

Trademarks:

Source: http://www.hhlegaladvisors.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/US-Firm-Applying-for-Trademark-in-Thailand.jpg

Corporate Identities:

Source: http://blog.epromos.com/images/corporate-identity-sample.jpg

Next up on the list was typography history. To summarise, we learnt about the historys of printing, as well as the origins of various types of fonts that we commonly see in day-to-day life, such as in Microsoft Words.

Last but not least, we learnt about basic photography, which taught us to take better photos with our mobile phones and DSLR cameras. All I can say is, it is harder than it sounds! There were apparently so many "hidden" aspects to photo-taking that none of us knew before, such as the right composition, angle and lighting. And as a task, we were assigned to take some photos for each theme, and we were only allowed to take photos inside and near the school compound. The themes are Lines, Rule of thirds, Simplicity, Balance and Framing. And without further ado, here are some of them!

Lines:

Balance:

Rule of Third:

To wrap it up, this week's lesson was dynamic and engaging indeed. The hands-on activity was very interesting, and we also got to learn more about things we encounter in everyday life. Of course, it is hard to fully absorb so much information all in one go, as I am already forgetting some of what I had learnt. Thus, it is important to revise my work, and I shall also incorporate what I had learnt in my daily life. Such as taking better pictures!