How Graphic Design Affects Culture Cultural Studies Essay

How Graphic Design Affects Culture Cultural Studies Essay The culture of the world is highly dynamic. The rapid change that is experienced has been attributed to many factors. In order to fully understand the extent to which graphic design influences the culture, it is important to understand what the term culture means. Culture can be taken to loosely mean the way of life for a particular group of people. However, there have been more detailed definitions of the term. This study seeks to provide an insight into how culture inter- relates with graphic design while mainly inclining on the impact of graphic design on culture. The paper addresses the topic by first understanding the two variables; culture and graphic design, and then reviewing the various instances when the culture has been influenced by graphic design. The study also touches briefly on the dependency of graphic design on the culture of the people. There exist numerous studies that has been conducted on the issue of the inter-relationship between culture and graphic design. In the studies, various definitions befitting graphic design are prominent. A study by Phill Meggs concentrates on tracing the history of graphic design. In this work, graphic design is traced back to the cave men where there were drawings of the animals they hunted for food. The study also brings out the development of the alphabet as having descended from symbols (Meggs 1998a). A paper by Helfand (2001) reviews the work of Richard Hollis who shows that graphic design dates back to the industrial revolution of North America. Further, he claims that the first individual to have used the term graphic design was William A. Dwiggins in a 1922 article titled New Kind of Printing calls for New [Type of] Design (Soar 2003, page 20). This implies that graphic design has been in existence or rather in practice for a long time and has evidently shaped the human way of life over time. Graphic design can be attributed to various forms of art. In a study by Helfand (2001), the words of a prominent designer, Milton Glaser stands out. In the definition, graphic design has been interpolated in the particular cultural setting and has been seen as to comprise various disciplines. It places such disciplines as typography, images and other forms of media with the aim of conveying a particular message. The purpose of graphic design is to pass a message with the aim of giving instructions, persuading the targeted group to either perform some activities. . As emissaries of communication, they visualize solutions for the presentation of abstract data, turning ideas into things: They create books and magazines, posters and packaging, exhibitions and Web sites, logos and film titles (Helfand 2001, p. 6). We can therefore conclude that graphic design is a communication form that utilizes the visual aspect of communication to transmit certain ideals or to stimulate particular feelings and emotions from its audience. This message has mainly been put across by a two-dimensional setting that is articulately aimed to convey a specific type of information. A study of Lorenzo London underground attributes graphic design with the attainment of aesthetic attributes of presentations or in construction. In order to point out how culture has been influenced by the practice of graphic design, we need to generate its definition. In a study by Sun Kang (2007), culture is shown to mean the pattern of human daily activities mainly reflected in their music, art, fashion and food. The study gives culture some different aspects on which we can be able to deduce how graphic design impacts on it. The three aspects of culture are derived from what is referred to as the core of culture. It is constituted of the values which are defined as the cultural meanings [that] are conveyed through practices which relate to the various communication forms [and] may include human behaviors, actions, and all other visible performances that people create and act in everyday life (Sun 2007, page 08). In concluding the Hofstedes theory, Sun (2007) points out that culture cannot be separated from the aspect of conveying the various cultural meanings. He posits that the core of culture; values, is transmitted through symbols and systems of symbols by different communication behaviors (page 8). In a different paper by David Carlson in the David Report (2011) culture has been attributed to the more complex ways of living [that incorporates] value systems, traditions, beliefs and habits; including knowledge, morals, law and customs, acquired by those within that Society (Page 8). David (2001) further claims that these attributes are the symbols of the integration of the beliefs of different individuals in a society that shares a common culture. They are therefore used as the cultural values or the cultural objects with which the standard way of living for the society is mirrored upon. We can therefore take the culture to refer to the ordered way of life of a particular society based on their established and accepted values. In this paper, I will tackle the topic of how graphic design influences culture based on various aspects of the culture. These aspects stand out prominently as defining the culture of a society. They are communication. Consumption patterns as well as the ways in which people present the literary works. In settling for these three aspects, the study aims to capture almost all spheres of human relations as well as their lives. It is important to note that these aspects have been taken as umbrella factors which cover a wide range of other aspects of the human life. It is true that graphic design has been in existence for a long time in the history of mankind. It has undergone many changes which have been attributed to many factors, the cultures of the society standing out prominently. Many studies have been conducted on the influence of culture on graphic design. The facts that have been presented are able to show that indeed there is a correlation between graphic design and the culture. However, the direction of the causation may not necessarily be in the direction they have dutifully established. It is for this reason that this study is appropriate. The paper does not, however, aims to dispute the established causation theories but rather seeks to indicate the existence of causation in the different direction. A study by Forty (1979), points out the impact of graphic design on culture through its influence on visual communication. When designers convey messages through visual media like specialized packaging, business logos and posters they are able to convey information not just to about the product but also about what it means to be associated with the brand. It is therefore common to find people who associate with a particular brand. Political views have also been greatly influenced by graphic designs. The evolution of graphic design has seen many changes in how designers presented their ideas. The Avant-garde movement was however, considered to be the inception of the contemporary work. Jan Tschichold was one of the designers of the time who is reputed to have used typography and images to stimulate changes in political polarization and instability (Owen 2008). This implies that not only has graphic design shifted the world on how we communicate but also on how we relate with each other which constitutes the politics of a society. Through the use of asymmetrical design as well as sans serif typefaces, he was able to capture the peoples emotions thereby influencing how they lived with each other. In another study, Lavin (2001), as quoted in Helfand (2001) shows how todays designers have failed to bring out the realities but rather wraps the mess in a clean envelop (page 31). Further, the study points the historical and contemporary track record of graphics in making powerful political statements, in functioning as intriguing personal creations, and in consciously influencing cultural norms (Page 31). There is also the factor that Lavin further blames the designers for failing to use the potential that they have to shift the political attitudes. Additionally, the study also points out the need for graphic designers to critically influence the culture. It is clear that the designers are perceived to have veered away from the course of positively influencing the societys culture. Perhaps it is time that the designers stopped concentrating on the corporate product designs to creation of art that invokes emotions in the society. As quoted by Helfand (2001), the failure of todays designers to positively influence the societys culture can be attributed to the inherited preoccupations of history and criticism (analyzing design products, compiling designer biographies, and developing a historical narrative of style influences (page 31). Further, as put across by Mills (1963), as quoted by Helfand (2001), between the human consciousness and material existence stand communications and designs, patterns and values which influence decisively such consciousness as they have. The mass arts, the public arts, the design arts are major vehicles of this consciousness (page 32). With the use of expressions, a designer is able to shift the conscious of their audience through employing various styles of graphics, colors, and material. The combination of graphic design and advertisement has been seen as the sure way of influencing the culture of the people. In this light, Soar (2002) has looked upon the use of artists and the elite group of the society largely seen as mass consumers with comfortable jobs. When the advertisements are aimed at this group, they employ the use of well known personalities who have been known to have a substantial following. In this way, the artists used are seen as having taken serious mass cultural products and converted them to popular cultures among the people. The end result is that the people adopt behaviors that are in close relation to their favorite celebrated personalities. Consequently, this influences the individuals way of life and therefore, their culture. There is a pedagogic function, then, in advertising and design, in which private codes are disseminated to a broader cultural mass via the [creations]. Indeed, their own cultural readings are highly attuned, being perfect consumers operating in a particularly rarefied social milieu (Soar page 14). As shown by Barchas (2003) there has not been an instance that graphic designing has not inter-related with the culture. He points out the case of Mr. Fary who is able to discredit the purchase Bohee tea especially on account that it was overpriced. By using poetry, he was able to influence the way the foreign Bohee tea was perceived thereafter. Indeed, Barchas points out that the Bohee tea became the new symbol of decay in the eighteenth century. The use of graphic design in advertising such products as the Bohee tea and displaying them as superior will surely influence peoples lifestyles. It was seen to be perpetrating materialism in the society. The retailer took advantage of the great influence that the advertisement had on the society to overprice them as well as to sell them substandard products. The culture is seen to be influenced given that such work influenced not just how people think, but also how they act afterwards (page 4). When we view the mode of presentation of the various works of art, they also have had an impact on the worlds perceptions of literary work. Barchas shows how the various changes in the print culture affected not just how the text was disseminated but also how it was interpreted. In his review of Eisenstein work, he shows how the changes in the print culture to include the presentation of literary work in book form influenced verification and legitimization of the work (Barchas 2003, page 8). This work has been viewed as the artifact that not only has value in its content, but also in the way it had portrayed history and culture. It had influenced how today the scholars present their work as well as the recognition of not just the material used in the presentation but also the layout as well as the design. Graphic design has been influenced by cultures across the world over time. People from different regions, cultures and ages are mesmerized by the nature of art displayed by designers. Art on the other hand is influenced by different cultures. The artist generates an item based on the environment that they have been exposed to. It is then possible to link different cultures through art. When a graphic designer makes a logo that reflects their culture for an event or for a corporate, then their audience becomes bigger. Such a logo may influence the lifestyles of people from different societies with different cultures.

Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 12

The next few days drifted by, chock-full of wedding planning and menu sampling. At night, the Sutherlands settled into a steady routine. Mrs. Sutherland took to the sewing room, teaching Lydia to make quilts and bonnets. Bridget indulged in a late-night beauty regime that involved brushing her hair in one hundred strokes and lathering herself in cream that I could smell all the way from the parlor. Winfield always retired to his study with a tumbler of brandy, perusing the paper or going over his accounting books. I'd taken to pacing the first floor, coming up with plans to ferry the Sutherlands to safety only to shoot down most of my ideas. I also now needed to plan my feedings. My steady diet of city animals was harder to keep up now that I was under the watchful eye of every Sutherland and servant. It was almost like they expected me to try and make a break for it, though it was impossible to know how much of that was genuine wariness versus Damon compelling them to follow me. Sometimes I managed to slip away, whether up to the roof or silently down to the backyard to try and find a rat or pigeon or even a mouse to satisfy my needs. Hazel, the house cat, was off limits of course, but fortunately her wild tomcat friends were not. Damon had no such nutritional problems. Nor did he care much about secrecy. He came and went as he pleased, doing God knows what in the darkest corners of the city. I often saw a maid or manservant summoned to his suite in the coldest hours of the night as I skulked about tending to my own needs. For my brother, life with the Sutherlands was like living in a grand hotel – he attended dinners in his honor and was feted all around town at the top establishments. He was a prince and New York was his adoring kingdom. When Damon arrived home on Thursday, Winfield poked his head out of the study. â€Å"Oh, good. I'm glad you're here,† Winfield said, holding out two glasses of whiskey. â€Å"Please come join me.† There was a stray drop of blood carelessly smeared on the corner of Damon's mouth. Anyone else would have assumed it was a shaving cut. Suddenly the cozy study seemed suffocating and the corners darker. Damon casually wiped his lips, his eyes on me, then threw himself down on the couch next to his future father-in-law, less like an Italian count and more like†¦ well, Damon. â€Å"Good evening, sir.† The fact that he dropped his fake accent in their presence highlighted just how under his thrall this family was. â€Å"I wanted to have a chat with the two of you about your futures,† Winfield began, chomping on his cigar. â€Å"Oh, I have big plans, I'm thinking long-term,† Damon said. â€Å"Living here with the family, of course. I love close kin.† My throat went dry and I ran a hand through my hair, beginning to panic, reminded once again that I had no idea what Damon really wanted. â€Å"I think I should like to go into business for myself,† Damon began to say. But then the door of the study slammed open and Margaret came striding in. â€Å"Papa!† Without a word to either of us she threw a copy of the day's Post down into her father's hands and tapped at an article. â€Å"Read this.† Winfield fished around in his pockets for his glasses and slid them on, peering at the paper. â€Å"Sutherland house is scandalized as two penniless suitors sweep away the last of the eligible Sutherland girls. Heartbroken sons of bankers, politicians, and empires of capital complain bitterly about the sudden move. Is it blackmail, some wonder? An unnamed source close to the family claims that†¦ Oh, rubbish,† he said, throwing the paper aside and taking off his glasses. â€Å"People talk about the silliest things.† â€Å"We will be ruined,† Margaret said, almost pleading. She completely ignored Damon's and my presence. â€Å"At the very least, can't you see how it would be bad for business?† â€Å"Don't you think you should leave that sort of talk for the menfolk?† Damon asked lazily, returning to his accented English. But his ice-blue eyes bored straight into her head, as if he wished he could put a bullet there. I stood up, placing myself between Margaret and him. She didn't seem to notice his hatred, or the danger she was in. â€Å"I understand your concerns,† I said quickly. I had to convince her to drop this, for her own sake. â€Å"But believe me, I want nothing but the best for your family.† â€Å"And in fact, we menfolk were just talking about business,† Winfield added. â€Å"Damon, you were saying?† â€Å"All I need is a small sum of cash,† my brother said, turning his head and effectively cutting Margaret out of the conversation. â€Å"Which will allow me to travel to my home country and start picking out vendors for exports†¦.† Margaret let out a gasp. â€Å"You're not actually thinking of giving him more than his dowry?† â€Å"Don't be greedy, pet,† Winfield said, shushing her with a patronizing gesture. â€Å"It's just seed money to get him on his way†¦.† â€Å"Have you gone crazy?† she demanded. â€Å"You don't even know this man. Let him work for you first. Or give him one of your smaller businesses to run.† Damon rose from his seat, coldly furious. I tried to take Margaret's arm, but she shook me off. She pulled herself up to her full height, staring straight back into his eyes. Though she wasn't quite as pretty as either of her younger sisters, she was certainly imposing. â€Å"You all have been acting completely mad since he showed up,† she said to her father, not looking away from Damon. â€Å"Letting him – and him† – she gestured at me – â€Å"become practically members of this family, live under our roof, share our bread, and then offer them cash and your daughters and everything else! Doesn't anyone think this is strange besides me?† Winfield looked upset, but confused. Damon widened his eyes. â€Å"Stop,† he compelled her. â€Å"Just accept Stefan and me – we're here to stay.† She looked at him for a long moment. I waited for her eyes to glaze over, for her pupils to dilate ever so slightly. But all she did was shake her head in disgust. â€Å"Your phony ‘count' act might work with other people, but not me. I want no part of this.† I stared at her, stunned, as she stormed out. I'd never seen Damon fail to compel someone, not even when he'd been young and weak. I inhaled deeply, searching for hints of vervain, anything to explain what had just happened. But there was nothing there. All I could do was hope that whatever it was, it would continue to keep Margaret safe.

The One Thing to Do for Essay Research Paper Topics

The One Thing to Do for Essay Research Paper Topics A good example essay is one of the most simple essay forms that are readily available. So select a topic from the subsequent lists and compose a research paper MLA and APA format which is provided by professors. Choosing one of our suggested topics will enable you to get started writing a thriving research paper. Creating a structure or plan is very good college info for virtually any task you encounter, not only writing papers. Browsing our essay writing samples can provide you a good idea whether the standard of our essays is the quality you're looking for. A research paper can be lengthy and one ought to maintain their degree of interest through their paper to stop from sounding wordy. Needless to say, selecting the perfect topic for your research paper is the initial and most critical step on the best way to writing the paper itself. Writing a research paper even though may appear challenging is a considerable portion of normal student life. The Benefits of Essay Research Paper Topics You might also want to suggest additional research or comment on things that it wasn't possible that you discuss in the paper. If you wish to discover topics for research paper use our website! An excellent research paper entails detailed info on your subject of choice. If it's the very first research paper out of some series, attempt to pick the topic which can be used for all of these. There's well-known that you aren't going to have the ability to compose a fantastic insightful research paper if you're not interested in the subject overall and in the subject specifically. Attempting to compose a research paper on a topic that doesn't have a lot of research on it's incredibly hard, so before you choose a topic, do a little preliminary searching and be sure you are going to have all the info you have to compose your paper. When you decide on a research topic, make certain it is one which you understand and have a firm grasp on. Much like any research paper essay, the most significant thing is to construct your topic and paper with the robust evidence. Therefore, it's always important to come across a topic that interests you. You must be certain to understand everything clearly once you go for an essay topic. After the topic is chosen, it would be helpful to make an outline so you could see whether you have sufficient information for good-structured research paper. If it is too narrow, you might find it hard to find the relevant literature. A Secret Weapon for Essay Research Paper Topics The more you fully grasp the simpler it's for you to compose a thriving research paper. It is very important to make sure that your research has no plagiarism and such errors as they could be utilized to penalize you. Research is a fundamental portion of nearly every profession. Your research will finally have a flow. The largest and most important portion of development is brain and mental health that may be carried out by doing research to understand the several practices required for mental wellness development of the kid. In light of the above mentioned, let's consider some intriguing research paper topics and suggestions for your research paper. Every custom made research paper would have to be unique and for that you have to collect a great deal of information with limited sources. Organizing your research work is critical. If you haven't ever written a research before, it's far better to get an expert help. For that reason, it's far better to avail professional aid for structuring a research paper. What Essay Research Paper Topics Is - and What it Is Not Actually, the key aim of revolution in technology is to aid in improving our quality of life on the job, home, and anywhere else. If you're writing a background synthesis, in some instances it could be appropriate that you offer you an interpretation of the material or have a position (thesis). If you should write only 1 paper at the conclusion of the period, you can breathe out since you are blessed. When you are worried about writing research paper, it can cause you to be stressed and not to have the capacity to perform in the simplest way throughout different re gions of your life.

Comparing 1984 Vs. V For Vendetta - 1280 Words

1984 vs. V for Vendetta: Methods of Control in Two Dystopian Societies â€Å"If you want a picture of The Future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever.† (280) These are the chilling words uttered by O’Brien to Winston Smith towards the end of George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984. This statement captures the brutality of Big Brother’s Party as the â€Å"boot† that strives to crush the human spirit. The crushing boot of the State is also apparent in the film V for Vendetta, in which the totalitarian Norsefire Party aims for complete domination over the bodies and minds of the State’s citizens. Both States use many similar strategies in controlling their citizens, but it is the Party in Orwell’s novel that goes much further in its desire for complete domination. While the governments in both the novel and the film control their citizens by manipulating information and promoting mass hysteria, the Party of Big Brother is the most sinister in its use of Newspeak as the ultimate tool of indoctrina tion. Both the governments in the film and the novel purposely manipulate their media to put forth a very specific version of the truth. The parties in both the novel and the film distort the truth, making â€Å"truth† a subjective matter, something that is not occurring, but created by the parties as a form of control over their citizens. They manipulate information so that â€Å"reality† and â€Å"truth† become what the government wishes it to be. In 1984, Winston Smith works at the Ministry ofShow MoreRelatedMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pagesexamined only notable mistakes, and based on your favorable comments about recent editions, I have again included some well-known successes. While mistakes provide valuable learning insights, we can also learn from successes and find nuggets by comparing the unsuccessful with the successful. With the addition of Google and Starbucks, we have moved Entrepreneurial Adventures up to the front of the book. We have continued Marketing Wars, which many of you recommended, and reinstated Comebacks ofRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesApplications 239 3 The Group 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Foundations of Group Behavior 271 Understanding Work Teams 307 Communication 335 Leadership 367 Power and Politics 411 Conflict and Negotiation 445 Foundations of Organization Structure 479 v vi BRIEF CONTENTS 4 The Organization System 16 Organizational Culture 511 17 Human Resource Policies and Practices 543 18 Organizational Change and Stress Management 577 Appendix A Research in Organizational Behavior Comprehensive