Initial Proposal

Communication instincts

Working on a variety of different briefs during the Foundation year so far, I learned how to push my ideas beyond the obvious solutions and provided me with the opportunity to experiment with different medias as well as different conceptual approaches.

‘How things work’ project introduced me to different ways of seeing when constructing explanatory graphics and wall charts. Then, while researching into this, my attention was captured by several theories dealing with vision and the participation of the brain in this process. The geometrical abstractions and the basic image/emotions relationship outlined in the Molly Bang’s book ‘Picture this’ served as an initial inspirational source before discovering the intricate perspective distortions and visual illusions in the works of M.C. Escher. Guided by the principles of the Gestalt psychology and the notion that we see only what our brain is aware of I made my decision to build my FMP around these ideas.

The project aim is to explore how the seemingly genetically embedded laws determining the way objects are perceived could be used to translate information on several layers, not only through pictures but text as well. I am also interested in looking more closely into the difference between children’s perception of images and that of the adults, which should show differences in experience and total image exposure throughout their lives. In order to achieve this I will try to carry out some visual test for children in the science museum or visit the local day care centre. In addition to this, it will be necessary to look into how people perceive shapes in different contexts and how the context affects that perception. From there I will investigate how meaning is constructed and how semiotics can be used to convey universal messages, not only through signage but through other types of communication too. For this purpose, I will need to undertake a rigorous research into the form-forming capabilities of our senses and the basic principles of perception, as well as what sort of emotional responses geometrical abstractions have on people. Experimenting with different compositions of basic shapes will give me a clear view of how to build powerful visual statements and will introduce me to different ways of building visual illusions, incorporating both text and image. The next step will be to try to apply the findings of my research to various communication mediums and see if they could work in different contexts. I would also like to experiment with different typefaces and visually incorporate image construction into typography. For that purpose, I would try to design a new typeface, which would not aim at legibility or wider usability but focus on the negative space between lines to create a subliminal message.

My evaluation for this project will be made in a reflective journal where I will keep track of how my project evolves, its progress and the difficulties I encounter. In addition, I will relay on feedback from crits and tutor meetings to critically judge my progression and adapt ideas.

...a full bibliography will be attached at a later stage...