Visual Design Communication: Jordan IV "Laser"

 

Pictured here is the Jordan 4 "Laser", which is one of Jordan brand's most exclusive shoes to have been released. 

Representational:

This Jordan is representational of the original Jordan 4, but in terms of design, it is completely different and actually the first of its kind to involve laser engraving within a shoe. Evidently, the most prevalent aspect of the shoe is the laser design which (if looked at closely) is actually a combination of all the other Jordans on the retro card (the last image). With this in mind, the shoe demonstrates that it is part of the Jordan lineage while also incorporating the most recognized Jordans within the design as well. Having done this, this shoe is set apart from the others which don't have the lasering, making this shoe not only one of a kind but innovative. From not only a collector and design standpoint, I feel like this was properly executed in the sense that it is paying homage to the legacy that is Michael Jordan. In terms of relating to the other two levels, I feel like it communicates the most due to the complexity while still maintaining originality. However, if broken down to just the abstract view, the overall communication of what it is would be completely lost. Furthermore, if broken down to just the silhouette, it would be well recognized as a symbol of not only the Jordan 4, but of one of the most well known shoes he has developed.

Abstract

If broken down abstractly, there would be complete design chaos because of the amount of detail that was placed onto the shoe. In terms of shapes, colors, and lines, this shoe is extremely complex. However, if the laser was taken away, the shoe could easily be broken down into small shapes and lines which could probably be rearranged and developed into a whole other design. With this in mind, I can truly appreciate the design aspect that Jordan took with an already classic base. In my personal opinion, when looking at the shoe from an abstract point of view, it's interesting to think of the amount of underlying structure that has been established from the get go. Abstractly, I can see how it must have been a difficult process to incorporate the huge amounts of detail with the laser into such a small, compact space. Since the original shoe played a huge role in Jordan's career and the marketing of the brand, I can see how symbolically the shoe elevated him to the next level. And with that in mind, seeing the transition from the original (shown on retro card) to lasered model, it is interesting to note the dramatic difference from old age design to new age.

Symbolic

Symbolically, the actual Jordan 4 itself plays a huge role within the company in the sense that it has been one of the most recognizable products that they have had to offer. In terms of this shoe specifically, I feel like the different Jordan symbols lasered on the shoe give it a unique look while further promoting Jordan's legacy. Since all the shoes lasered on were from the original 14 (retro card), with him incorporating each, he is able to communicate to his customers that each of the originals were important and all played a role in his success. Furthermore, since each Jordan represented a different time era in which he played, the viewer can understand the significance of having all on a shoe showcasing the time line of his career in a different manner. In relation to the other two levels, having a finished product incorporating elements which truly acknowledge detail and legacy (lasering with the jordans), the viewer can see that the designers were trying to communicate to the customer "Hey, were doing something spontaneous and innovative, but we haven't lost track of what this company is about".

Design Visual Information. Week 14

Representational.

This image is an image of Nike's first professional athlete, Steve Prefontaine. His superior athleticism makes him not only a proper spokesperson for Nike, but a model for perseverance. This image is representational because of the way he's posing as he concludes his race. His position and attitude are accurately portrayed through this image in the sense that you know he has performed to the peak of his abilities. With him also being posed in the "looking back" fashion, the picture highlights the intensity of the race and the significance of the moment. This still shot accompanied with a black and white effect allows the viewer to see the deeper message in the image, to push your limits and finish strong. Furthermore, this image effectively communicates to the viewer that the strength of an individual is directly correlated to effort he is willing to exert.

Symbolic.

The image I selected is the infamous Nike swoosh. This particular logo has been a symbol of not only peak performance and athleticism, but quality product and material. Since this brand has been synonymous with the top athletes for the past few decades, one glimpse at this image automatically stimulates the viewer to relate to their favorite athlete or sport. Originally, this was a wing of the Goddess "Nike", meaning victory. Although it is a very simple and basic design, this logo has made its way to some of the most well known clothing and footwear in the game. Ultimately, this image explains to the reader that any relation with this particular brand would result in quality goods and peak athletic performance. And by doing so, the hype and following behind nike only increases.

Abstract.

 This image is abstract in the sense that it is broken down to the simplest visual message. Although this is a common sign on streets, no words or directions are necessary to explain what message it is trying to communicate. This abstraction derives a simple arrow with a slight curvature demonstrating the road ahead. What is most interesting about this sign is the fact that it's so self-explanatory that one glimpse automatically explains its message, so placed in any environment, any viewer could understand. I feel that such a simple message contributes to the abstractness of sign and what it is trying to communicate to anyone who sees it. Furthermore, I feel as if this image is derived purely on visual forces and a message so simple that placed in the context of driving, it is very effective.

 

Visual Techniques.

LEMAR AND DAULEY BRAND.

 

Visual Design Techniques:

Contrast; Harmony

Simplicity; Complexity

Subtlety; Boldness

VINTAGE DEADSTOCK SNAPBACK HATS.

 

Visual Design Techniques:

 Economy; Intricacy

Contrast; Harmony

Simplicity; Complexity

                                                                   Subtlety; Boldness

 Repetition; Episodicity

I chose both of these images because each showcases a different article of clothing that I'm truly interested in and appreciate. Both types of clothing demonstrate extremely similar design techniques, which is why I feel like I have an appreciation towards them. For the most part, both have intricate and complex styles/designs, but also have a tad bit of simplicity and economy as well. For the shirt, it's an extremely bold and loud design, but somehow the basic graphic of the hand, rings, and stars compliment one another to demonstrate simplicity. With the texture relative to the design of the shirt, the top portion and bottom portion contrast one another making for appealing aesthetics. I like how the shirt is complex in terms of texture and shapes, yet it's still just a mixture of different colors and shapes to create something entirely different. Snapbacks wise, they're extremely simple hats that implement small graphics, animals, and bright colors to transform the hat into something new. What I enjoy is the straying away from basic letters and fonts for teams and the transition into animals to showcase a particular mascot/logo. Also, I enjoy how there are the basic snapback hats with a simple logo, but there's also the ones with more detail and design to the hat in general. The snapback hats tend to have more visual techniques because of the fact that there's more of them and it's a smaller canvas to show the designs. But, with the smaller canvas, there's a more dramatic portrayal of subtlety to boldness, complexity to simplicity, and repetition just because of the consistent implementation of elements in different fashions (snapbacks tend to use the same logos, colors, and fonts but just place them in different locations). Furthermore, these two different articles of clothing demonstrate very similar design techniques (hence the reason I chose both), yet still have their differences in terms of how they're developed within the clothes.

Week 11 Contrast: Advertisements.

 

In terms of this picture, though I don't completely feel that contrasted contributed to a failed design, I don't think it was used in a positive manner. For example, this advertisement contrasts not only space, but color in terms of the comparison of the hot pink to black background. However, with such a huge amount of negative space in the picture, the true message of the image isn't properly conveyed. I don't think the designers did an adequate job just because of the fact that the focus of the picture is too small of a component of the overall image. In reality, the woman dunking takes up only about a fourth of the entire picture, so her role isn't impacting enough to the viewer.

 For this particular gatorade advertisement, I was impressed in how they marketed their product. In terms of contrast, not only is Jordan doing one of his infamous dunks, but he is the main focus of the image. By doing so, he conveys his message accurately and further promotes the athletic appeal that gatorade offers. Not only does his presence contrast space relative to the entire image, but his colors stand him out from the black background. Ultimately, in terms of space and color contrast, this image does a better job of highlighting a message and promotion than the first one solely because of the improper design implementation demonstrated prior.  

IMPLIED MOTION IN DESIGN via Nike Posters.

In this particular poster, nike has an ad with John Aloisi in which they are marketing their soccer products, while still demonstrating implied motion. Although there's the silhouette of him kicking the ball, it is apparent that he is moving. The reason I use so many nike examples within this blog is because I'm a huge fan of not only their product but the way they advertise their line. The implied motion in this image helps to stimulate a genuine intensity within a still image, which is very interesting. Nike does so by simply highlighting particular aspects of the picture and drawing attention to the movement the soccer play is involved with. In the end, just by seeing this ad, we can understand the general message of the image and the tone in which he is trying to represent. Just by viewing the image, we understand how intense this situation truly is. The blurred aspect of promotes just how much energy is trying to be portrayed through his fast motion.

In these images, implied motion is portrayed through the animals corresponding to particular shoes. Since I have a really big interest in shoes, I was intrigued by these posters because of the fact that they completely transform the design of each shoe and imply motion. With the different arrows and bright colors, you can begin to understand the energy conveyed through the shoes and the animals they're representing. With the frog, spider, and hawk, each is moving, but with their curved lines and sharp angles their movement is emphasized. The color choice definitely adds to their movements and how the designers were trying to convey a particular message. Those these are still images, with the design elements the designer used, nike is able to show change in transition from the shoes to the animals. Ultimately, the designer was able to communicate implied movement through these semi 3-D graphics and their change in structure from shoes to animals. Furthermore, nike successfully developed a poster which uses motion with color to portray intense energy.

Dimension, Depth, & Space : Nike Foldable, Packaway Jacket.

This particular example of design demonstrates relationship between clothing and actual space. Having the jacket be completely wearable (and stylish to add) and also being able to collapse allows easy storage and accessibility. Another thing to note is the efficiency of having a jacket like so in two forms, with the jacket stowed away it not only takes up less space but makes it more practical for packing. In terms of movement in space, this item is essentially stationary, but by having the folding aspect the perception of the jacket is completely altered. Since the sleeves and body of the jacket fold and move can be changed freely, this item utilizes the concept of an actual object in actual space. In relation to the class lecture, there were examples in which the objects could be transformed or rearranged to have a completely different appearance. This jacket, since properly designed, brings society one step closer to being able to make everything portable. In an age where everything is becoming smaller, more compact, and easily accessible, this jacket is properly promoting which. And with clothing beginning to take this direction, it is not only until similar design concepts are implemented in a variety of clothing (hats, shirts, socks).

Tone & Color : Sole Collector.com

www.solecollector.com

Like stated in the lecture, tone and color definitely play a hierarchical role within the design of the website. For the most part, SC (Sole collector) does a superb job in having the navigation tabs at the top and the most recent relevant news in the middle. By doing so, it makes the website far more user friendly to the non-so often visitor. In this particular circumstance, I feel as if tone compliments with scale the best due to the fact that relative to the other elements of the page, the recent news pictures/articles play a huge role in layout. Having the design in this particular fashion allows the viewer to be drawn to hottest news instantly, then led to their usual viewing tendencies. With the layout of the website in this way, the viewer sees the most fundamental elements first. Color plays a huge role in this website because it highlights particular elements and areas to draw attention to importance. Furthermore, with all the vibrant colored pictures and highlighted tabs it is easy to navigate with this interface. Since color of certain elements are relevant only in particular circumstances, the website makes an effort to not overwhelm the reader with color in many different spaces. Color interacts with a variety of shapes on this page to differentiate different things. In some cases it happens to be coinciding with links, and in another it happens to be implements with buttons to other pages. In this case, the color is used to help with the "pop-out" effect like previously stated, to show importance. In other words, the color along with the tone work together to manage visual complexity. In doing so, this site becomes far more user friendly to anyone.

Product Design through the Fashion Industry.

 

Dondis Basic Element: Lines.

Pictured here is the concept design for the "Marty Mcfly" sneaker shown in the movie "Back to the Future". Nike currently is in the works of possibly developing this shoe, and the image shown is a leaked schematic for what the overall structure is going to be based on. Within this concept image, the line plays a crucial role in showing what the structure is going to look like. and possibly become Not only does the line also leave room for imagination, but by not having the design fully completed, the blueprint allows for a large amount of space for additional concept ideas. Although there aren't dots shown within the design, the lines connecting in certain points helps to portray a 3D image and demonstrate the progression of the blueprint. Like stated in the lecture slides, the line allows the shoe to be "pre-visualized" and to a certain extent, predetermined. The line, like in many stages of design is essential to the progression of a concept to a prototype. Furthermore, the use of the line in this image identifies the main contours and overall sketch of what could be the Nike "Mc-Fly".

 

 

Dondis Basic Element: Texture.

 Pictured here is a crewneck sweatshirt by Lemar and Dauley, a streetwear brand which uses various design elements to set their clothing apart from the rest. In this particular circumstance, texture is extremely prevalent. With the various bright colors, spacing of elements, and undefined graphic shows a distinct texture. I noticed when observing this sweatshirt that the design properly uses the concept of texture to emphasize graphic of Andre Agassi swinging. Not only does it use texture and bright colors to get this point across, but it further adds to the vintage look of the sweatshirt. Furthermore, with the texture in this fashion, it sparks interest because of the dramatic difference to common sweatshirts. With the texture gradient portrayed in this sweatshirt, depth is created, which further adds to the appeal of the sweater. In contrast to an ordinary solid or striped sweater, this overall design differentiates itself by simply playing around with accent colors and texture. However, this sweatshirt works with color and shapes to ultimately provide a different look that other companies don't normally apply.

Dondis Basic Element: The Dot.

Although there are a few design elements prevalent in this jacket, the most active one is the dot. Extremely basic and easy to implement, the dot plays a major role in the overall fashion aspect of this jacket. Though one dimensional and extremely simple, the dot (working with color and movement) show a dramatic transition from shape to plain color. Also, the polka dot  layout works to show how basic design principles (such as dots, movement, and color) can be blended together to have a working piece of fashion. Like Pointilist artists, this implementation of dots develops an overall design picture and a working gradation from the bright yellow to the faded white. Ultimately, with the spacing between dots and transition of colored dots to white, the jacket highlights proper design techniques in a fashionable way.

Syntactical Guidelines examined within Sneakers.

This shoe pictured above, in my opinion is one of the most sought after and brilliantly designed Jordan of the collection. However, I feel that this is the case simply because of the fact that the design is extremely basic. Just the basic design elements and material usage add to the elegance of the sneaker itself.

Perception- Within first glance, this simplistic design is extremely appealing to the eyes in the sense that the shoe has a very smooth, crisp look.
Balance - The balance between the white mid sole, clear sole, mesh upper, and patent leather is amazing, a perfect balance of all elements.
Stress- No particular element is stressed on this shoe, unless it's the patent leather which draws a great deal of attention due to its shine.
Leveling and Sharpening- This shoe is able to achieve adequate balance within all the different materials used.
Attraction and Grouping- Interaction within different design elements of the shoe is superb. There's a good contrast between areas of shoe.
Positive and Negative- Ample positive and negative space relative to the white mid sole to black contrast of shoe.

This shoe pictured here is another Jordan designed by the same company, yet lacks the same amount of brilliance within appearance. While I notice that both shoes use very similar materials and colors, this shoe seems to lack the same amount of simplicity as the one previously posted. I also believe that the overall complexity and design of the shoe overpowers the original concept.

Perception- Through first glance, there's a design element that looks unique, but is ultimately too busy for mind to keep up.
Balance- Isn't a good balance between patent leather, images of shoes, and different materials.
Stress - Too much stress within the images of different jordans, which draws away from overall design of shoe.
Leveling and Sharpening - With all the different colors and materials, the shoe has too much going on for someone to enjoy.
Attraction and Grouping - Not a whole lot of interaction within design of shoe, one area is overpowering.
Positive and Negative - One portion of the shoe draws too much attention of viewer which takes away from overall design of shoe.

"Unemployment"

Uneasy

Diverse

Irritated

Worried

Nervous

Anxious
In a rush.
Annoyed

Body language, above anything else in this image, is extremely evident. First off, the first lady seems extremely frazzled with balancing a telephone conversation and filled out paperwork simultaneously. The following person portrays himself as prepared for whatever he is about to do, but is still somewhat nervous for the task ahead. His look of uncertainty on his face explains his situation accurately. For the remainder of the picture, each of the individuals have particular looks on their faces that explain their emotional response to their environment.

By taking one glance at this photo, one could quickly understand that the people shown are definitely uneasy. While you wouldn't know that the explanation of this image was for unemployment, due to the upscale outfits and business attire, the individuals all look irritated and troubled. Verbally, this image says "Unless you want to be in the same position of uneasiness and annoyance, then get a job". Furthermore, from judging the levels of irritation in each of the people's faces, I can accurately understand what message this image is trying to convey. The emotional component of this image helps the viewer to realize just how important employment is. Also, I was thoroughly impressed with the image in the sense that it highlighted not only the minority's obstacles, but the working/middle class struggle to attain a job today. Since the people in the image happen to be wearing nice quality clothes and having business images, this picture also strays away from the image of "homeless people standing in an unemployment line''. Unemployment happens to affect people of all backgrounds and situations, which is why this image can properly showcase the problems our society faces. In simple terms, this image is described as the diverse working/middle class all dealing with unemployment (and expressing their mood through facial expression) while standing in line.

http://newsmagz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Unemployment-in-Ohio.jpg

Puzzle Project

For me and my roommate (who attempted the puzzles), we both used the process of deduction and slowly using trial and error. While we both were attempting the puzzles, I was trying to rotate the paper and see (for the first puzzle with the shapes) which direction and formations matched with others. For the most part, once both puzzles were finished, me and my roommate looked over the strategies and realized we both used "matching and categorizing" in our heads while completing the tasks. Interestingly enough, when attempting the second puzzle with completing the pattern, we used the process of "pattern completion" to be able to determine what we believed was the correct answer. And lastly, while we both began getting stuck at particular points during the process, we discussed afterward how important thinking outside of the box was and approaching the same work at different angles mentally. From what I've learned in class and while attempting these puzzles, I've truly realized that attempting the same task with the same process will ultimately equal the same results. In conclusion, the operations of visual thinking subconsciously played a role in being able to complete as much of the task successfully as possible.

The Inspirations for my interest in Design: Bill Bowerman & Tinker Hatfield

 

Bill Bowerman at work on the first generation Nike Waffle Shoes.

 

Tinker Hatfield, designer of air jordan sneakers, showcasing sneakers at a convention.

The reason that I'm so interested in these designers is because not only were they pioneers to a huge shoe culture nowadays, but they have amazing attention to detail for not only style but aesthetics. Both of these designers paved the way for a career I see myself in in the future, nike shoe development. While I am an industrial design and product development major, I hope to at one point fill the same shoes that they have. These two designers, while they may not have purposely tried to do so, have a strong eye for concepts within shoes. In terms of Bill Bowerman, (the top picture) he was the first developer of the "Nike Waffle" which was one of the first running shoes created by nike. His first design was created from his kitchen using an actual waffle maker to develop the track shoes that are now popular today. I personally, admire his ingenuity with the equipment he had and the fact that his designs were way ahead of his time. Tinker Hatfield is just as famous due to his brilliant design and material implementation, his shoes have been worn by Jordan and have led nike to the next level of street/athletic wear. While both of these designers have a keen eye for visual patterns and features, I feel as if they also have a strong sense of what the masses preffered.

http://www.projectbluefoot.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/erinpatton-tinker3.jpg
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/03/waffle_shoes_responding_to_a_need.html

Top-Down Visual Processing.

This particular image is a screenshot of one of my most visited sites daily. As you can see, there's a great deal of news and graphics going on in the homepage, however the organization of the site is actually extremely user friendly to the trained eye. While we as humans have natural active vision whenever we observe something for a long period of time, this site's set up is easy for any visitor to follow. I feel like this website is relevant to my intended study because of the different design elements demonstrated on this website and the website in general being an excellent source for numerous design principles. While this site is for selling/buying of sneakers, it is also a forum for common collectors to discuss a variety of issues while socially networking. I noticed when I was looking at this screen that they place the tabs and links at the top of the home page to make sections easily accessible. Furthermore, while I enjoy the layout of the website since I've seen past models, I can understand how elements are too spread out with too much information possibly skewing people's scan paths.

www.solecollector.com

DAI 323 Visual Design Literacy - Vincent Santiago