Georgina Gilmour-Harris Hi! My name is Georgina harris, I am a full time media student at the university of Hull. I work part-time as a waitress at Marcos within the doubletree by Hilton hotel. My interests include, fashion and dance. This blog is used as a portfolio for my university module creative business.
Micro-macro compositions can be an arrangement of information such as small images or words arranged in order to make one whole image which can send a message. Avante garde fashion often does not stick to what is conventional and often recreate nature or even fairy tails with it’s style and colour as it is trying to break free from what is considered the every day wear. Within this photograph it is a fun collage arrangement of different flowers found in nature arranged in a way to create a mermaid tale and add accessories to an image of a model. This crosses the line of what can be clothing and pushes the conventional ideas of how it can be worn. It also send’s the message of how clothing can be more ethical and how the materials we use can be biodegradable and not harm our planet as humans are one with nature. This poster is evident of Tufte’s theory that one singular image is able to send an message with a collection of data arranged in a certain way.
“Micro/macro designs enforce both local and global comparisons and, at the same time, avoid the disruption of context switching. All told, exactly what is needed for reasoning about information.” – Tufte (1990)
The colours arranged in front of the black background help pull us visually towards the image and helps us separate the micro images from the background in order to create the overall shape. A mermaid tail is in contrast to the background and helps us also appreciate the bright array of colours on the tail. Overall it is a visually pleasing image which can be interpreted a number of ways.
References:
Image: harumi. 2021. How to make a collage with photos -Create a big picture by small pieces- — harumi. [online] Available at: <https://www.harumiphotography.com/blog/2018/7/23/paper-art-work> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Medium. 2021. Information Design (9/29). [online] Available at: <https://medium.com/@blakewilliford/information-design-9-29-ee995efb584e> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Edward Tufte: Tufte. E.R., 1990. Envisioning Information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press. (pp. 81-93).
The rocky horror picture show changed the game for alternative fashion. The movie was revolutionary for it’s time and filled with taboos including homosexuality and transvestism. Avante garde is defined as unorthodox and the rocky horror show shows the endless possibility of fashion through it’s wardrobe as shown in this movie poster where Dr Frank is dressed as what is stereotypically female clothes.
Within the poster the use of layering and separation clearly tells a story by having DR frank at the forefront and even covering some characters defines the point that he is the main character, Positioning the victims underneath as much smaller tells the story that they’re victims of Dr frank as well as the quite literal “side characters” which are layered underneath to the side of Dr frank. Edward Tufte states in his book (1990) , that “Confusion and clutter are failures of design” this poster makes sure that the characters are organised in a way that the message is clear.
The title of the movie is not at the forefront of the poster as visually the rocky horror show is very recognisable and this can be through fashion. We notice DR frank straight away not only because he is in the middle but because of his signature look. The use of colour is harmonious throughout the poster and is similar with lot’s of pinks and purples, however there is not confusion or visual clutter as the images are separated through size layering and very thin black outlines. There is no need for thick outlines for the characters as they themselves are different enough to contrast one another. This aligns well to Tufte’s idea that this is not needed as he states in his book envisioning information (1990) “Why should the trivial task of dividing up the already free standing elements become the dominant statement of the entire display?”
Overall the poster defines it’s message in a wacky visually pleasing way.
References:
Film poster: Pin.it. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://pin.it/62zDpl4> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Edward Tufte: Tufte. E.R., 1990. Envisioning Information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press. (pp. 81-93).
Within this vogue article it aims to showcase a variety of clothing which falls under the same categories which have been shown within the catwalk show. It cleverly represents a catwalk itself by the way the images are arranged. The way it is presented is by photoshopping images and selecting specific pieces worn within the fashion show and collaging them into one image on a catwalk. By layering the images and making the images in the back appear smaller it creates the illusion that they are walking behind the models in front and creates a story of a fashion show created from images. Tufte (1991) states systems of dance notation translate human movements onto signs transcribed onto flatland, permanently preserving the visual instant. this relates to this collaged image as the way the models are positioned over a flat space creates a story that they are moving forward, creating a visual that they are moving together within this single image even tho they are not.
The monochromatic looks within the neon signs catwalk story reflects the theme of an avante garde look. Designer Barbara I Gongini explains that “Keeping only a single tone gives the opportunity to work on clothing like on a canvas”. The suits also reflect the genderless and versatility of avante garde fashion as we begin to cross the line of women being able to wear suits.
The outlines of the images are subtle as they are transparent grey however they serve the purpose to show that the designs are only a small collection of what the fashion show has to offer as it clearly displays that the images are photoshopped together as one image.
References:
Collages: Nast, C., 2021. The 12 Biggest Spring/Summer 2020 Trends. [online] British Vogue. Available at: <https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/spring-summer-2020-trends> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Edward Tufte: Tufte. E.R., 1990. Envisioning Information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press. (pp. 81-93).
Article: Barbaraigongini.com. 2021. HOW TO DRESS AVANT-GARDE: WHAT GOES INTO AN OUTFIT. [online] Available at: <https://barbaraigongini.com/universe/blog/how-to-dress-avant-garde-what-goes-into-an-outfit/> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Avante garde fashion often relies on layering and playing with volumes in order to create an alternative look one way this can be done is by layering with shirts the collars often add volume to the look and also create the illusion of layering even if there is not a layer.
“The point of avant-garde fashion is not to show off the body, in the way that mainstream fashion does, but rather to make an object of art out of it, through the sculptural elements of the garments” – (Gongini 2021)
This infographic relates to this avante garde idea as it solely focuses on the collars within the images as in the (fashion) whilst eradicating the head and body of the drawing wearing it. This highlights the importance of the fashion itself.
Within this infographic small images are ordered and labeled in order to present visual information and an explanation of a variety of different traditionally “female” collars this relates to Tufte’s theory of small multiples that there is a
“comparison of small multiples as positioning similar chunks of visual information within the physical parameters of the viewer’s glance. Constancy of design between small multiples with limited variables allow the viewer to perceive and understand the differences between similar visual graphics” Tufte (1990)
The images are all visually similar as they all have the same base (same neck) wearing each collar and are all positioned lined up next to one another to make an obvious statement that they are visually similar. However due to each collar being different we can see straight away the point the image is trying to make that these are a range of different collared styles even if we couldn’t understand the writing. The colours are also kept at a minimum and are the same throughout in order to create the alignment of colours and keep the images visually similar so the attention is drawn to the differences of the collars.
References:
Infographic: Images.app.goo.gl. 2021. Google Image Result for https://i.pinimg.com/474x/56/a0/06/56a006f855de6a689bbde2b3ac42a039.jpg. [online] Available at: <https://images.app.goo.gl/xkmNX29ZUbTbFwXQA> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Edward Tufte: Tufte. E.R., 1990. Envisioning Information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press. (pp. 81-93).
Article: Barbaraigongini.com. 2021. HOW TO DRESS AVANT-GARDE: WHAT GOES INTO AN OUTFIT. [online] Available at: <https://barbaraigongini.com/universe/blog/how-to-dress-avant-garde-what-goes-into-an-outfit/> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Fashion for a lot of people can be a way to express yourself. Even if it is considered unoriginal, the way we dress can be a great way to express our personalities and interests. People often dress to fit in to certain boxes, Avante garde in fashion is considered experimental and unorthodox, this helps push the idea that fashion can be anything and also worn by anyone no matter gender, race and ability . The examples chosen reflect the diversity of fashion as well of the use of colour, relating to Edward Tufte’s theory of colour.
Within this image the clothing represents a bird and uses bright colourful feathers incorporated onto a waistcoat in order to pull this off. In contrast to the feathers, the models skin and waistcoat are muted grey/white in colour as well as the background behind her also, this brings out the harshness of the feathers and draws our focus, making the bird instantly recognisable. This aligns with the third rule in Tufte’s theory of colour that large area background or base colours should do their work most quietly, allowing the smaller, bright areas to stand out most vividly. The colours used also reflect what the image is trying to convey (a bird) as the colours reflect nature, being in tune with a bird’s colouring. Tufte states that natures colours are familiar and coherent possessing a widely accepted harmony to the human eye, this works well as despite the clothing being something you wouldn’t see it is still familiar through nature. These colours found in nature include blues, yellows and greys of sky and shadow, you could argue the grey background is a representative of the sky within the photograph. The avant-garde is a person or work that is experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society therefor the use of a bird as a way to express alternative fashion perfectly represents this definition, it can be argued that avante garde usually sticks to black and white clothing however this is done within this image in order to bring out the colour palette of the feathers as the rest of the image is grey/white.
“If you opt for a monochromatic outfit – in black, white, or gray – this will give you room to combine more textures and cuts and to focus on highlighting the details of the garments and the overall composition. However, this doesn’t mean that all avant-garde looks are in black and white. You can opt for bold, contrasting or complementing colors to showcase your color mixing skills” Gongini (2021)
This relates to Tufte’s theory of colour also as he states grey muted colours contrasted as a background works well.
References:
Pintrest: Pin.it. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://pin.it/62zDpl4> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Article: Barbaraigongini.com. 2021. HOW TO DRESS AVANT-GARDE: WHAT GOES INTO AN OUTFIT. [online] Available at: <https://barbaraigongini.com/universe/blog/how-to-dress-avant-garde-what-goes-into-an-outfit/> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Edward Tufte: Tufte. E.R., 1990. Envisioning Information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press. (pp. 81-93).
Alternative fashion is a particular interest of mine as it suggests going against the norm and being something modern and interesting. When it comes to fashion I am always changing my style depending on how I see myself, I think fashion is a great form of expression that everyone should have freedom to. Society has restricted fashion and people are often wanting to fit in. I envisioned a catwalk where people of all different body types, gender, age, ability and ethnicity show off different styles through a fashion line.
My poster which is a hypothetical art exhibition titled “dreamlike” I feel really encapsulates the word “dream,” we dream with our brains, our dreams are wacky and fun. My overriding theme was surrealism and I was inspired by surrealist artwork to make my poster feel out of this world and not ordinary. I feel achieved this by ensuring every element of my poster was something you had to think about in order to discover it’s meaning, I wanted there to be several elements which tied in together so that you can come up with almost any meaning as there is endless possibilities. The brain itself is a solar system of thoughts and the thoughts are shown as planets, the technicality of the human brain which allows us to dream and come up with such wacky ideas to create surrealism is shown through the use of a spiders web because when I think of a brain I often think of a web which all links and works together in order to come up with an idea. I want my poster to be striking on the page and to look like something no one’s ever seen because that is what surrealism is, you are stepping out of the ordinary and mundane into something new, exciting and unreal. There is a mix of nature and the nature we are completely alien to which is our solar system, despite it being real it feels especially surreal to us because it is so hard to comprehend I like to view it as almost a dream as we still don’t fully understand how our own minds work so we could be dreaming most of our ideas.
Photography started in the middle of the 19th century beginning with the Daguerreotype, 1837 by Louis Daguerre. These photographic images at the time where seen as magical and was only really accessible to the rich. After time there was over 3,000,000 by 1853 after its popularity grew. The long exposure times resulted in them being unable to be reproduced and where one off. Overtime Daguerreotypes where replaced by wet plate glass negatives which had negative images which where contact printed. As photography continued to progress cameras became better and better finally resulting in depth of field, this helps make the images look less flat and can single out a specific subject more easily than before. Different lenses are then introduced which help quality in images and can create different effects visually. For a conceptual design I photographed an orange and a wine glass and put them together with adobe illustrator. In order to do this, I removed the background of the wine glass first by right clicking and then selecting the “windows” bar, I then selected “transparency’, after this I used the curved tool in order to trace the image so I can create a mask. The curvature tool is very helpful as it helps me move around the harder curves in comparison to the rounded orange. This helped me achieve a seamless cut out. After this I selected both images at once the background and outline and selected “mask” this revealed the glass on a plain white background instead of the original one. I then proceeded to do the same thing to the orange which I found a lot easier due to its consistent curvature. After this I placed the orange into the glass, because both backgrounds are removed, they now fit together rand you would think the orange is actually in the glass.
