IDX102:- Lecture Notes

Overview of each class with my own edits and thoughts!!

Week One:- Introduction and Reverse History

Similar to IXD101, week one was just an introduction to the module and each other, we were told that we would learn about design history from the past and work our way to the future. I was told about WordPress, a blog that I would be using to showcase my designs and to document my process, research and thoughts. Before any online design work, I was told that we should always start with a pen and paper to get all our ideas down.

The class also participated in icebreakers so that we could all get to know each other.

Coursework Task – 

We were asked to watch the talk when we build and to write and overview with our thoughts. We were also given our first coursework assignment which was to sketch out three different designs for a type specimen screen for a Ipad. We

I had to choose between six different typefaces, which were –

• Futura
• Gill Sans
• Helvetica
• Palatino
• Times New Roman
• Baskerville

I chose to research and design for Palatino

Week Two:- Guttenberg and Moveable Type

In week two the printing press was looked at and how the invention helped to revolutionize typography. The printing press also helped to spread information fast within a western society as it meant that everyone could receive the same information at similar times.

A further look was taken into the typefaces that the type specimen screens were suppose to be based on

• Futura
• Gill Sans
• Helvetica
• Palatino
• Times New Roman
• Baskerville

The differences between different types such as Serif and Sans Serif were looked at, I found this interesting as I had not previously realised that there were an fact actual distinct differences between them. I also found that learning about how line height, letting etc. was really useful as it made me realize how much goes into type and how type can be made better. Type is a very important aspect for designers as it is basically decoration for words.

Type Related Websites Recommended –

• Typographica
• Font Font

Books Recommended –

• Just My Type
• Type and Typography
• Basic Design – Typography 

Example of typography I liked in the real world –

Week Three:- A Century of Change

In week three the industrial revolution and some the different changes relating to it were looked at. Society began to focus more on mass production and due to this people moves from the country to the city in hopes of being able to find work.

During 1900 there was a great amount of change as a number of different technologies were discovered/advances were made such as flight, the lightbulb, motor vehicles etc. Since people wanted more roads, materials, machinery etc. meant that crafts began running low, not long after artists/designers reacted against this industrialisation.

When Japan opened trading routes in 1850 it meant there was a stream of arts and crafts into Europe. The Japanese influence of Europe art became known as Japonisme.

There was an Arts & Crafts Movement which was an anti Industrial Revolution movement. The Arts & Crafts aesthetic started as a reaction against the staid, production-line style developed by machine production. It drew its inspiration from nature keeping things simple without superfluous decoration.

Art Nouveau
Using inspiration from natural forms and nature and imported Japanese arts and crafts the Art Nouveau style can be seen within architecture, ceramics, jewellery etc.

During this week a video was posted detailing how to use Figma to create a Type Specimen Screen – https://ulster.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=04954d08-64e3-47e8-be90-ac4d00b208dc&start=2.735324

Week Four:- Typographic Screen Critique

During this week I received  feedback on my Type Specimen Screen – The feedback can be viewed on my type specimen post.

Week Five:- Revolution and the Bauhaus

In week five we had a look at Bauhaus and some different revolutions.

Bauhaus was a school that opened after Germany lost WW1. Their main purpose was to bring back art and life after a big lost and for awhile they succeeded , but nowadays they are regarded as a place of the past.

The De Stijl (meaning, the style)  was created by Van Doesburg  and Piet Mondrian as they were searching for a way to end individualism and nationalist egotism they believed it to be the cause of the first world war. De Stijl art is represented through its use of geometric/abstract art

Constructivism was also looked at, created by Vladimir Tatlin and Alexander Rodchenko, it aimed to reflect modern industrial society.

A TV series called Abstract was also mentioned as it allows you to take a look at how some of the most innovative and creative designers think

Coursework Task –

In this class we were also introduced to our second assessment project which was the group presentations.

The class was split into groups and within our groups we had to create a presentation for one of the following topics below.

• Bauhaus and the New Typography
• Design Systems for the Olympic Games
• The Influence of Modern Art
• The Modern Movement in America
• Pioneers of Postmodern Graphic Design
• Pioneers of Web / Digital Design

(A pre-recorded class session had to be watched – video )

This week modernism in design was looked at.

Design in the Modernist Movement was defined by –

• Reject traditional forms and decorative elements
• Seek a solution that is simple and direct
• Use systematic methods rather than intuitive ones
• Think about relationships in form and content
• Use geometric shapes: circle, triangle, square
• Use primary colours
• Use sans-serif typefaces
• Show contrast in typographical material
• Use photographs and photomontage rather than drawings or illustrations
• Use silhouetted photographs with white backgrounds
• Use maps and diagrams
• Use graphic symbols and icons
• Use of asymmetric page layout
• Use of grid or clearly delineated page-organising method
• Apply a planned visual hierarchy

During this time artist, designers, musicians, and anyone that went against Hitlers’ ideals were prosecuted. This meant that many creatives tried to flee Europe to escape persecution, due to this the European creatives brought their ideas and designs to places such as the US.

I found this session interesting as I had not previously known that the Europeans brought their ideas and designs with them to the US and if that had not have happened design may have been very different that what we have today. I regard this as a pivotal point in design history.

Coursework Task – 

At the end of class we were able to go into blackboard rooms in order to talk within our groups. During this time my group decided to do our presentation on – The Influence of Modern Art.

After that we then sorted out different modern art movements for each of us to research, mine were Cubism and Futurism

Week Eight:- Group Presentations

Week Nine:- Postmodernism

Week Ten:- Internet History