Disucussion Point 1 : Brett Rushbrook

Discussion Point: How has use of visual hierarchy and grid evolved with the emergence of digital technologies over the traditions qualities and potential constraints inherent in letterpress? Find 2 examples to compare and contrast. 

Visual hierarchy and reference/design grids have evolved substantially over the past decades, with the main reason being technological advancements. New technology and software has allowed for development of publication design to develop into a very large market and expertise.

Software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign allow us as designers to quickly develop, revise modify and adapt our grid/reference designs into whatever purpose is necessary. Although the letterpress creates such beautiful artwork and structure, it is with modern technology that design keeps evolving and we can produce amazing graphics and artwork that unfortunately letterpress could never achieve.

1970 Rolling Stone Cover Janis Joplin

2012 Rolling Stone Cover Justin Bieber

 

As an example, I’ll compare these 2 covers of the Rolling stone Magazine, which is synonymous with rock and roll, and is one of the most famous magazines in the world. These magazine covers demonstrate how the letterpress and traditional styles of publication have evolved from same type sizing, styles, spacing and placement to how the modern day cover which has varying type sizing, scale, styles and placements.

Image one depicts the 1970 cover of Rolling stone with Janis Joplin on the cover. The cover depicts the same type sizing, colour and placed towards the left edge of the covers grid.  The rolling stone logo is placed in the top of the grid, with the large photo/graphic taking up the entire background.

The second cover depicts a Rolling Stone cover from this year featuring Justin Bieber. Immediately we see the variation in the rolling stone logo, its sizing as it is now standard to fit the width of the grid, and also the importance of the image. The biggest part though, is that we can see the variance in typography styling, sizing, scale and thickness, which all aim at demanding attention at various points on the grid.

The large image of an artist or band has always been in the styling of the Rolling Stone covers and grids, but when we look at the modern day cover, we can see a large difference in not only the type placement and styling, but also contrast between what traditional grids and visual hierarchy were like, and how the implementation of graphics has changed the design world.

References

1- Rolling stone cover 1970 (Janis Joplin)

http://magazine-covers.lucywho.com/rolling-stone-magazine-united-states-6-august-1970-magazine-cover-t2767732.html

2- Rolling stone cover 2012 (Justin Bieber)

http://style.mtv.com//wp-content/uploads/style/2012/07/justin-bieber-rolling-stone-2012.jpg