While studying Graphic Design, I reflected a lot on my own works both art and design related, and thought about the sort of graphic designer I am and would like to be. I have a strong love for two art movements, Pop Art and Art Nouveau. Within the Pop Art movement, I enjoy the bold use of vibrant colour employed in such a graphic way, elements that are easily recognizable in my own works. Within the Art Nouveau movement, I am highly intrigued by the organic-ness of the pieces under this genre. I feel that the use of curved lines gives off emotions so strong that the piece will evoke feelings in anyone who observes it.
One of the reasons I feel that we are similar designers is the sense of randomaness in our designs. Milton has said that no one could tell what a Glaser design was as none of works seemed to belong to the same designer. I feel that this is the same for me. I design whatever feels appropriate to the task at hand, as does Glaser. As well, we both love to draw and illustrate and both share a great love for the Art Nouveau movement.
Art Nouveau derives its name from La Maison de ‘Art Nouveau, an interior design gallery opened in 1896 Paris, France. French for new art, this international art style developed between 1890 and 1910, was known by different names across the globe. In Germany, it is referred to as Jugendstil or youth style, and derives its name from the German magazine Diejugend. In Italy, it is known as Stile Liberty or Floreale, deriving its name from the London store Liberty Style. In Spain, it is known as Modernista, in Austria, Sezessionstil, and in France, Modern Style.
…often described as having,“sudden violent curves generated by the crack of a whip,” which lead to the term whiplash being associated with the Art Nouveau movement.
Art Nouveau’s claim to fame was the fact that pieces under this genre used organic, and plant-like lines so to portray an almost mystical and spiritual atmosphere. Insects, flowers, and anything else natural and exotic was found in pieces of this genre. Inspired by natural forms found in our environment, Art Nouveau uses curved lines, textures and pastel colours to create harmony within a piece. Art Nouveau artists are able to create pieces that are unlike the geometric shape and structure of stereotypical art forms, bending the rules of what it means to be an architectural or graphic designer. Anything Japanese (like block printing, bamboo, and cherry blossoms), was considered to be the latest trend. Nearing the end of the 19th century, we saw Art Nouveau pieces using less pastel colour and more bold colours, and appearing in various print materials from books, magazines, posters, illustrations, advertisements, and journals.
Milton Glaser is a Jewish American graphic designer and conceptual artist born in 1929 who is most famously known for his I Love New York logo and his Bob Dylan poster. He was an active member of both the design and education communities being an instructor and Board Member at the School of Visual Arts, New York since 1961. His work has been described as simple, direct and original, making his work one the most effective and interesting around. Employing the uses of various mediums and materials, Glaser does whatever it takes to get something done (rarely with the use of a computer), and done with the utmost excellence.
In an interview with designboom.com, Milton was asked to describe his style (in his designs) or as his friends would describe him.
Glaser replied, “Its most striking character is its randomness, its range, very often you could not say that the job was done by me, because there are jobs that require the absence of style, as well as those that require the presence of style. As a graphic designer my work is characterized more by drawings… I love to draw, love to illustrate, make pictures… What I want to say is that it would be hard for somebody looking at the range of things that I do to see a persistent pattern in them, except in the realm of drawing and illustration… Where the choice of colors and forms are more obviously personal. I have the idea that there isn’t any truth in style. It’s very temporal, bound to the moment that we live in and the way we see things…”
Glaser claims that his work is strongly influenced by the art movements of which is current to what he is designing, but his work has become more simple and direct. For example, his Bob Dylan poster has several elements from the Art Nouveau movement. The conceptual design, the curved lines; both of which are evident within the design. Ironically enough, Glaser has mentioned previously that he is always drawn to the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements, as well as the Viennese Secession, the Renaissance, and African Arts.
