Designing with a Handicap
You can tell it's summer because we've not posted in a while. I just returned from a family vacation in Alaska, and have no idea where the other BLANK bloggers are. I also spent a good part of my summer working on a client site that's almost complete, and watching movies with my family. Which brings me to some thoughts on design and it's ability to touch the heart.
After seeing some great flicks, I'm more aware of graphic design's self-imposed limitations to touch the heart. I know, it's not fair to compare apples to oranges, but I'll do so anyway. At the core (pun intended) of a medium's capability to touch the heart is the ability to tell a story in a powerful and meaningful way. Design is handicapped as a medium to tell stories. Why? Stories need the element of time to develop, communicate and mature. Film has the ability to create time through multiple image frames. Design though is like a single frame: able to communicate a message, but unable to allow that message to change over time and form a story. Unless, of course, design takes a cue from film and creates the "time" it needs to tell a story that touches the heart. What might this look like? Maybe it looks like this. Or possibly like this? Interesting, no?
I wonder if this is why I've seen graphic designers making the switch to film as it becomes more and more accessible to the masses? Hmm. Something to think about as you watch these films. I hope they spark your creativity like they did mine:
1. The Incredibles: If you haven't see the making of this film, rent the DVD. It will blow you away.
2. Wallace and Gromit: Watch any of their film's "making of" and you'll feel better about how long it takes you to make a logo.
3. Kirikou: Probably the most creative animated film I've seen this year.
4. Beethoven Lives Upstairs: Ever wondered what it would be like?
5. Paper Clips: Design meets kids meets history meets your heart.
After seeing some great flicks, I'm more aware of graphic design's self-imposed limitations to touch the heart. I know, it's not fair to compare apples to oranges, but I'll do so anyway. At the core (pun intended) of a medium's capability to touch the heart is the ability to tell a story in a powerful and meaningful way. Design is handicapped as a medium to tell stories. Why? Stories need the element of time to develop, communicate and mature. Film has the ability to create time through multiple image frames. Design though is like a single frame: able to communicate a message, but unable to allow that message to change over time and form a story. Unless, of course, design takes a cue from film and creates the "time" it needs to tell a story that touches the heart. What might this look like? Maybe it looks like this. Or possibly like this? Interesting, no?
I wonder if this is why I've seen graphic designers making the switch to film as it becomes more and more accessible to the masses? Hmm. Something to think about as you watch these films. I hope they spark your creativity like they did mine:
1. The Incredibles: If you haven't see the making of this film, rent the DVD. It will blow you away.
2. Wallace and Gromit: Watch any of their film's "making of" and you'll feel better about how long it takes you to make a logo.
3. Kirikou: Probably the most creative animated film I've seen this year.
4. Beethoven Lives Upstairs: Ever wondered what it would be like?
5. Paper Clips: Design meets kids meets history meets your heart.
posted by fivemcclungs at 11:48 PM
2 Comments:
You can't write a novel in 1000 words, but that doesn't mean a short story, a tiny snippet, or even a beautifully turned phrase can't be deeply moving.
Fully developed, plotty, complex stories are not the only things that need to be communicated.
I wouldn't look at this as a limitation, personally. But then I've always enjoyed short stories.
Ok, now I'm scratching my head....have I met you all before??? I'm from Fairbanks Ak originally and visit my family up there every year or so.
Drop me a line sometime...the connections have been interesting!
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