Frolicking with clay

      Yesterday was the first day of History of Graphic Design and Laura had an clever approach to introduce history to the class.  She took us to the ceramics room where we had to get hands on with clay.  We then divided into small groups and were assigned a random phrase in which we had to portray using solely clay.  She intentionally made each phrase difficult in it's unique way to show the struggles that early designers/painters had to overcome.  Examples:  showing various colors using only one color of clay, portraying certain people (Ryan Seacrest out of all people...) and expressing emotions.

  

    Doing this exercise made me realize how much extra work and effort prehistoric artists had to do just to illustrate a simple meaning, a simple character.  As difficult as it may seem, historical artworks have demonstrated their purpose and have given us a clue into their life by simply using mud and their index finger.  This shows how wide the doors are open to designers in the present day.  The possibilities are endless and it's quiet exciting as a future designer!  I'll admit that I'm guilty of doing an assignment simply because I have to get a grade for the class,... without much thought or meaning to it.  Today made me question myself for doing this.  Why put effort into a project if it doesn't possess any emotions for myself or my targeted audience?

I searched some meaningful posters, and the one above hit home for me.  

Advertising Agency: LOWE GGK, Warsaw, Poland

Copywriter: Patryk Michon

Photographer: Igor Omulecki

Published: July 2008.