Modernism
An Introduction into the influential movement of the 19th century
Lecture notes:
- Advances in technology meant Modernism bran to break through at the end of the 19th century
- Western society began to develop new ways to shape human culture
- Modernism covered many creative disciplines from design and art to architecture, music & literature
- Power of machines forced artists to re-think their practice
- New tech provided opportunity for mass production, the machine became a them in modernism
- Modernism particularly inspired fine art, it saw the break in the world of 'ism'
> impressionism
> Cubism
> Fauvism
> Futurism
> Surrealism
- Modernism arguably the most influential movement of the 20th century
The Unité d'habitation in Marseille developed by Le Corbusier
Graphic Design & Typefaces
- Modernism changed the thinking process for communications, Graphic Design & Typography
- Designers of the era of modernism abided to strict, structured grid system with emphasis on negative space
- The idea was to create strong graphics that want against commercialism, greed and cheapness
- Typical typefaces used include Franklin Gothic, Monotype Grotesque, Futura and Helvetica
De Stijl
- Theo van Doesburh is considered the 'ambassador' of the movement De Stijl
- De Stijl is a Dutch group led by architect Theo van Doesburg
- Distinct look consisted of block primary hues, plus the use of black and white
- No curves allowed.
I have to be honest, before this lecture I was still reasonably unsure about what Modernism actually meant. I kept hearing it being said and I assumed it was just anything that was deemed modern looking or anything mentioned in the Vignelli Canon.
After this lecture and further research, I now have a much better grasp of the movement and how to spot it in other design.
I have to say I am a big fan of a majority of the methods, techniques and rules within the movement and I will try to further implement my understanding of the word into my own work whee I deem it necessary or suitable.
Clean, simple design is something that first attracted me to this discipline and is why I thought myself suited to the way of working. I am very neat and have a good eye for attention to detail and realised that I can use this to a greater extent in the practice of Graphic Design.
I have to be honest, before this lecture I was still reasonably unsure about what Modernism actually meant. I kept hearing it being said and I assumed it was just anything that was deemed modern looking or anything mentioned in the Vignelli Canon.
After this lecture and further research, I now have a much better grasp of the movement and how to spot it in other design.
I have to say I am a big fan of a majority of the methods, techniques and rules within the movement and I will try to further implement my understanding of the word into my own work whee I deem it necessary or suitable.
Clean, simple design is something that first attracted me to this discipline and is why I thought myself suited to the way of working. I am very neat and have a good eye for attention to detail and realised that I can use this to a greater extent in the practice of Graphic Design.
