Modernism vs Postmodernism Graphic Design

Modernism vs Post innovativeism Graphic Designthroughout the 19th century creative persons and painters had a truly conservative mindset when it came to the innovation of art. The images and art forms that were made during this age were composed of a certain artistic mold which reflected conservative moral values, virtuosity, righteousness, nobility, sacrifice, and Christianity1. Most artists during this sequence period conformed to the roughhewn artistic mold, which is clearly seen in the works of that century. The 20th century however, aphorism a new period of origination known as contemporaneousness, which would last lead to postmodernism after orbit state of warf be II.Un the alike the prowesss of the 19th century, the modernist and postmodernist periods were composed of real revolutionary and transformed images. The ideas and opinions behind the images became more broad-minded and hence the images themselves were more flexible and avant-garde2. The period of mod ernism truism the partial abandonment of conservative traditions. Modern artists looked ahead to the future and not to the past, they supported freedom of expression and equality.The years between World War I and World War II allowed modernism to expand dramatically. Propaganda and war posters are perfect causas of modernism3. Not only did modern artists ply social awareness they also actively supported political revolutions, such(prenominal) as the Russian Revolution. The Russian revolution provided and excellent opportunity for modern artists to experiment with new expression methods. The posters and propaganda of this revolution in particular were very abstract and futuristic, al roughly industrial all of which fitted the Soviet ideology4. A very weighty historical piece of modernism is its emergence in Germany. Typography in German pictorial public figure was very important, Bauhaus for example used very specific typography and rules barely more importantly analyzed th e specific roles of items to transmit information. It is interesting that modernism was also seen in German natural design as some critics believe that World War II effectively drew an end to the true feeling of modernism5.Keeping in mind the social and political circumstance of modernism, the actual graphical aspects of modernist design make sense. Modernist images were generally very radial and alignment was very important. Images were structured and simplified fonts were arranged in very specific manners to complement the images themselves. Fonts were generally unprejudiced such as sans serif or sometimes looked almost hand drawn. Also pop in modernist graphic designs were the use of rules and empty space as components of the works structure. The famous Uncle Sam and Britons recruitment poster of World War I are simplified images, with very basic font. In both posters the images and fonts are arranged according to a grid, and as such they are very leveled and aligned. An in teresting point in both posters is the font is different for the discourse you, it is bolded and outlined providing more emphasis on the importance of the person nurture it. These are only brief descriptions of many similar works of the modernist time period6.Following World War II and what some take away the end of modernism a new form of graphic design materialized this is known as postmodernism. This period time started sometime in the fifties and continues today. Some consider postmodernism to be a movement against modernism. While modernism was more pure, rational and truthful postmodernism was more chaotic and stylized, it no long-life had such deep meaning behind the designs. Postmodernism uses symbols, images, and typography as simple stylistic devices. Unlike the structural and simple modernist designs, postmodernist design is obsess with style and creativity, basically looks. Graphic design was now being presented in popular media in the same methods as fashion it wa s up-to-date, advanced, and tasteful7. This time period included the Cuban Revolution and of course the Vietnam War, both of which allowed artist to create interesting works of graphic design.The technical aspects of postmodernist graphic designs were very different from those of modernist design despite having some similarities. Postmodernist design included collages, photography, some hand-drawn images, and in general more chaotic and unpremeditated arrangements. The postmodernism period also witnessed the dawn of a new age. The development of the estimator and continuing ingenuity in technology presented new opportunities and new methods for graphic design. Technological developments, particularly in communications also brought forth the possibilities of mound media and culture. Graphic designers were now able to apply their craft to Television, Radio, Print, Mass Marketing, Advertising, and lastly the Internet.A particular aspect of mass media and culture where the differen ces and similarities between modernist and postmodernist graphic design can be seen is Music, more specifically the artwork of the record album dorsums. The following examples are fine illustrations of the different design types. The modernist intentional album conceal is Elvis Presleys self-titled entry album Elvis Presley, spell the postmodernist designed album cover is the Rolling jewels evict on Main St.Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley 1956Elvis Presleys self-titled debut album was released in March on 1956 to this day it remains one of the superior and most iconic album covers of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine8. Several artists have borrowed and mimicked the album cover, including The Clash which used it for their 1979 album London Calling which coincidently is also on Rolling Stones greatest album cover list. It is amazing how iconic the album cover is despite its shear simplicity, a simple photograph with the title Elvis Presley in very basic font and chro mas. Following the modernist guidelines the title is arranged in a right angle, and the font is completely legible.The artists intent was clear simplicity, legibility, and barely enough color and contrast to peak interest. Having the font in color and the background photo in black in white directs the viewing audience immediately to reading the title and then the image. The artwork also has a more personal and playful aura due to the particular pickax of the colorful and humorous font. This may have been aimed to give the public a feeling of trust and personal acquaintance with Elvis. Another album cover that seems to be very similar to this is the Thelonius Monk 1965 album cover, it shares the simplicity of font and the photo as the background. The qualities of this album cover are clearly modernistic, super different when compared to the following sample of postmodern graphic design.Rolling Stones, Exile on Main St 1972Similar to Elvis Presleys debut album, Exile on Main St, i s 5 on Rolling Stones 100 Greatest phonograph album Covers9. Released in 1972 the designer of the cover John Van Hamersveld10, best draw the attitudes of the time The general tone of the time was one of anarchy drug dealers and freaks and crazy people left over from the Sixties, all defiant and distorted. This album cover perfectly captured that feeling, the unique background and the title looking like it was a last minute thought perfectly capture the unhurt basis of postmodernism. The background itself has an interesting story, though it may look like a collage of photos it is actually a single photo of a poster that Hamersveld found in a tattoo parlor wrap up route 66. Unlike the Elvis Presley album cover this one apparently shows little or no structure, it is more chaotic.An analysis of Elvis Presleys debut album cover and the Rolling Stones Exile on Main St album cover, presents dramatic differences not only in the graphic design but also the historical tone of the time. The modernist design of Elvis album cover is simple, clear, and direct the postmodernist design of the Rolling Stones album cover is chaotic, stylish, eye-catching, and rebellious. nonetheless both albums are designed for one thing to attract the viewers, listeners, and fans alike. In the end it is obvious that both modernism and postmodernism are still important to this day. Thought they may be very different at times, the ultimately share a goal, to be artistic and creative.