I
have decided to follow the theme of Illegibility and Distortion for my Final
Major Project as I have a keen interest in both typography and surface
patterns, so I am excited to explore the combination of these factors within
the final project. The idea builds on my last project - ‘Deconstruction’ where I was following the idea of taking things apart and
recreating them. I am aiming to produce a range of unique surface patterns that
I could potentially use to upholster furniture and present in the manner of a
collection.
I started with a variety of research ranging from pattern books in the library to visiting the Photographers Gallery and the Fashion and Textiles Museum in London. Initial ideas included lots of collaging and cutting up of photos whilst thinking about incorporating pattern within the design. During the trip to London I wanted to get some primary drawing completed however after being unsure about subject matter I decided to simply be experimental with some simple life drawing.
The experimental approach stemmed from a workshop session where our class was encouraged to embrace new techniques such as drawing with our wrong hands, and not looking at the page. By following this process I managed to create a range of distorted faces, which made a good starting point for the project. In hindsight I believe I should have followed this process whilst looking at typography and lettering within my environment, as this would have been exceptionally relevant to my theme however I have managed to push my project forward so that the illegibility has really begun to push through.
From looking at an artist called Linda Hutchins, I came up with the idea of drawing according to sounds, and also the sound waves that are created from typing and talking. This idea began to push my boundaries a little, however due to he extensive research I had already undertaken I was confident in being able to produce some exciting work samples.
Thinking along the lines of illegibility I began to create my own typography, and one experimental method I followed was to draw with the pens in-between my fingers. This gave me hardly any control over the pressure or directions of the pens (see pictures above). One thing I have realised from this sampling is I am not being brave enough with my experimentation of media. From looking at my artist research it is clear I need to consider new media in order for my work to be as exciting as I planned.
My digital samples show a range of ideas that work strongly along the idea of Illegibility and Distortion. I chose the colour palette based on some of the prints I saw at the Liberty in Fashion exhibition at the Fashion and Textiles Museum. Contrasting bright colours really achieve the distorting effect as it almost becomes too much for the eye to look at. To develop the samples further I am now considering placing the text over a patterned background. In regards to distortion I was interested in researching the Op Art style of work and its exponents Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely. This is something I will begin to consider after some further sampling.
I decided to visit the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising so as to give myself some primary research of typography and I think the visit really inspired me to follow a more collage way of working. The drawings I constructed within the gallery visit helped me to visualise a broad range of typography within one composition and has definitely given me scope for development within my digital sampling.
My latest point of experimentation has been with collaging typography in order to follow the idea of illegibility. The compositions I have been experimenting with show potential and I am looking forward to developing new ideas further.
