Cassandras Class: Articles Critiques

Larsen, K. (2014, May 22) Kara walker: In public and in the studio. Modern Painters, 705, 56-57.

Kara walker

This article is about Kara Walker’s next project, she mentions some of the project’s background. The writer, Thea Ballard mentions that the reason behind this new project is “urban Spatiality” and the extent of building social projects and the racial tension that is produced for such projects.

She says the exhibition will be held at a Manhattan old Domino sugar refinery, which is going to be transformed into luxury apartments.

She describes Kara’s work as being racially influenced, also she talks about Kara’s studio as being decorated with racial and historical material she mentions the use of silhouettes curled up pictures and so on. Kara’s opinion on the exhibition is very positive and she hopes for a big public.

I believe exhibitions are a great way to express feelings of discomfort and it is an excellent way to communicate messages to the public, I find this article very interesting as it has different ideas. It invites people to visit Kara’s exhibition and also it describes her work in a way that people feel interested and motivated to visit her exhibition. 

Martin, D., (1995). Graphic Design: Inspirations & Innovations. Rockport, MA: Rockport Publishers.

Keep It Simple

This Statement is about how to design. The author, Jack Summerfield suggests that it is better to keep the designs as simple as possible. He recommends designers to think of an idea and then use that idea to transmit the message. He refers to his project Greiner annual report and how he managed to improve the 91 edition to the 92. He explained the client that in recession people gets bogged down in numbers and as 92 was a better year it was better to show something positive such a picture which is being shot from the bottom as if it was looking up.  

I really appreciate this kind of advice because I am preparing to become a graphic designer. I find this advise helpful and encouraging because it is not warning of the difficulties of design but focusing on the positive aspects that make design enjoyable.

Lupton, E., (2004). Thinking with Type: A critical guide for designers, writers, editors & Students. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press.

Designing Typefaces

Page 48

This text is a statement that tells us how text was produced in the past and how it is produced now. It refers as 500 years ago when type was only possible to be cast from lead which made this process very extenuating. It explains that computers and technology made the process of producing type easier than ever, and it also comments on the fact that desktop computer made text making available for almost every one. However it also suggests that designers these days have extra work that in the past was not necessary, such as choosing the right software, sizes and development of all the characters of a typeface.

I find this text very useful and I think it is important to keep in mind that even with all the technology available it is still necessary to put effort into our projects so instead of moving backwards we move forward towards the way of perfection.