With designers seemingly conditioned by traditions when it comes to formal stationary, I propose to challenge the traditional form and notions for such occasions as christenings, birthdays, weddings, divorce and death to reflect today’s urban values.
Should birthday cards for boys still be represented as blue with a football, when the increase in childhood obesity has meant a lack of interest in sports participation and when the modern day celebrity icons of young boys openly portray their metrosexuality? Why do wedding invitations have to be represented as pure and white when the ideal of holy matrimony itself is being challenged by more contemporary relationships such as cybersex, dogging and swinging?
I aim to subvert the meaning of a whole host of formal stationary, and create the ultimate collection to represent contemporary
socitey.
Key Points:
1. Graphics designers seemingly conditioned by traditions
2. Challenging the form, use and tradition of a whole range of
formal stationary
3. Looking at occassions: Christening, birthdays, weddings,divorce & death
4. Subvert the meaning of a greeting in order to test the boundaries of conventinonal imagery and introduce irony into the commercial domain.
12 comments:
You have missed my point...not just wedding stationary- but challenge the form, use and tradition of a whole range of formal stationary. Go to a traditional printers and look at there sample books that allow for over-printing on pre-printed stock designs...should really inspire!?
GTS
I use black-edged mourning paper as stationary Matt. In the Victorian era everyone instantly knew what it was and consequently what had happened, simply because of the colour and form of the stationary. There is a plethora of different codes and unwritten rules in traditional correspondance ephemera, perhaps you can play with those?Joanne
I just realise how incredibly morbid that makes me seem....
Perhaps you could create invitations that decompose very quickly, like the marriage institution today.
Joanne
Your right, I was looking more into the wedding side when I posted the comment; but challenging the form, use and tradition of a whole range of formal stationary is certainly what I shall be aiming for. I’m visiting a couple of printers this weekend, so ill look in the sample books for what u suggested, sure it will help.
Mat
Jo u always seem morbid to me, don’t worry lol. No really, cheers for your comment, I was actually going to ask what you thought because I know you like this kind of topic. Ravi was also telling me about that mourning paper, maybe you could bring some in next time?
Mat
Oh Matt, how you flatter.
Yes I adore old print ephemera and pretty much anything Victorian. No one does death like the Victorians let me tell you...and I think it's such an interesting period as they were so structured and formal, which shows itself in the print ephemera.
I'll bring some of my stationary in to show you..
I knew someone that had an invitation made out of stainless steel and I couldn't help but wonder whether she was overcompensating because the future of the relationship was so uncertain. People seem to think if it's made tangible and solidified, it must last..
Mat...good that you will visit stationers, at some point go-see print finishers too: embosing, debosing, thermography, spot varnishing, marbelling, flocking etc...all fascinating.
Nigel et el will be able to help with contacts.GTS
Nigel is a terrific source of information. Cristina and I drew on his experties for the Typographic brief his connection with Graham and Mike (Old Street) will really help you out.
Nigel mentioned that in exchange for helping Graham with his work , he will gladly help with any sort of print..kind of a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours"!
Thanks for the comments. Think the second one is from mel? Ive emailed Nigel asking for any contacts that may be of use, as the printers i visited over the weekend didn't do these techniques. Just waiting for Nigels reply, then hopefully can arrange some visits in the next week.
Ive alway wanted to produce something using some of the print finishes mentioned. So sure i will have fun with it.
Mat
Your re-write to present tomorrow is cool, you now have the basis of a great project. Just one addition, on the last point, can I suggets that you say something like...Subvert the meaning of a greeting in order to test the boundaries of conventinonal imagery and introduce irony into the commercial domain.
GTS
Hi...been checking through your Blog and its all looking really good! It's a good start to collect examples of diverse formats and alternative approaches- puts you right in the frame. Obviously these more lateral approaches work best for a more visually sophisticated audience...is this audience the one you want to work with, or more diverse- I have no imperative, that's the joy of a final project- its up to you.
I would also suggest no matter whether your focus is the local printer, WH Smith or Paperchase, you should meet and get feedback at some point. With Paperchase for example they are always keen to see new work and may well buy concepts.
Can you also contact a colleague of mine Dave Palmer at 'Love Creative' in Manchester...they do loads of subversive celebratory stationery and print and constantly work in unexpected formats. Ask Dave to look at your Blog and mention me:
d.palmer@lovecreative.com
GTS
Hi Geoff
Thanks for the comments and for the contact details. I actually only just got the comments cos only been checking my blog for them (my mistake!)
Ive just emailed Dave at Love, explaining you were my tutor and what i was doin, as well as the blog address. Be really interesting to see what they think becasue i really like their work!
Magma arent getting back to me, so I will try Paperchase this week then can let you know whats happening when we get back.
Cheers
Mat
Post a Comment