The sixth addition to our guest lectures this year was world acclaimed designer and typographer Jonathan Barnbrook. Fortunately Barnbrook gave a series of two lectures which were very inspiring. Barnbrook's humor and strong use of anecdotes throughout the lectures made both lectures very engaging and entertaining.
The first lecture was a showcase of Barnbrook's variety of work for clients such as Damien Hirst and David Bowie. Barnbrook works with typography, creating original typefaces inspired by his own surroundings, he also works with a social conscience and his work makes powerful statements against consumerism, politics and corporate culture. He talked about how he has a human moral code which determines what clients he will work for. A prime example was when Barnbrook worked at adbuster and 'Coca-Cola' came requesting his work. At the time Barnbrook was making an example of the consumer brands which shape our world with adbusters, he felt it would be hypercritical to work with them even with the tempting large pay checks.This was a prime example of a designer who will not allow his conscience come between him and his work. Barnbrook has a clear interest in world issues, human rights and other social issues and will not tolerate working with consumers who don't follow his believes. It was very inspiring to find a designer who felt so passionate about his surroundings and felt that he had the authority to put everything right from wrong within his work as a designer.
The second lecture took a personal note. Barnbrook took the opportunity to take us back to the basics explaining the rules we may have overlooked. Here are some anecdotes that Barnbrook gave in this lecture:
Defining graphic design
Art or logical? Design fits in both!
Any form of Design can be accepted as long as it supports its given task.
As designers we should all try and create something new and original.
If we decide to define the problem to narrow it will result in boring work.
Design is not a traditional industry, we all need energy and a passion to avoid becoming commercial.
It will be important to learn how to make decisions when working as a designer.
Being a student about to enter the industry it's important to understand that our design skills are only a part of what makes us employable.
Something about Type
Foundation of a Graphic Designer is typography.
Foundation of typography is attention to detail.
Something about being a designer
People who are bored are boring.
Fu*k all design institution / awards.
Be original when you copy.
This isn't no part time job.
Know a bit of history.
Your design is not for you, its for other people.
Being a good designer is about confidence.
These lectures I must say might have been my favorite from the series. The way that Barnbrook had set out this lecture made it interesting and very factual and I felt that I learnt a lot in a short space of time. Some of the subject matter were slightly obvious but these are certainly subjects that we need a constant reminder of if we are to lead a successful career within design.
No comments:
Post a Comment