Some of the ideas that I am struggling with ( II )

■ Option two: Designing some posters to visualise (abstract) concepts. These concepts may be individual feelings (e.g. my first feeling when I came to the UK) , general feelings (e.g. fear or anger), abstract concepts (e.g. distance, darkness, order, and unity) or they may be content of some litterateur works (e.g. visualising poetry or a story). There may be a philosophy behind these concepts. For example there is a philosophy behind the concept of symmetry in the eastern art. I like to try visualising at least some of these concepts by using Persian elements and symbols. Also I would like to do art graphic design which means the posters must be artistic peaces of graphic. What I have in mind is that the products must have artistic values and be beautiful from a fine art point of view, but they must have basic elements of posters as well (e.g. they try to communicate a message, use written texts and typography). My goal is to create works that although transfer some massages, but people like to keep and save them for some reasons more than their messages. If I take this issue as my subject then my research would be a very brief look at history and structure of poster and then I would work on to choose concepts and pieces of litterateur which have deep meanings. After that I would research on patterns and symbols which can be used to visualise the concepts.

Some of the ideas that I am struggling with ( I )

My approach to the works is derived from my background, which means I would like to use Persian art and literature as much as it will be needed.

■ Option one: Making a book by using Persian traditional lay outs and patterns (including tiles, carpets, potteries, etc) and Persian symbols in a new way. In the traditional way of book making in Iran artists have used different forms for lay out. They also have written some parts of books (e.g. their titles) using calligraphy which make books much more beautiful. Pages of these books usually have great deal of decorations and illuminations which are combinations of gold and silver with bright colours (Tazhib). Even in some examples artists have used letters to make pictures like tree or lion. There are similarities between some of the illustrations of these books and the pattern on tiles or carpets which could be a subject for working on. If I take this issue as my subject then my research would be working on the history of lay out and patterns. The meaning of a symbol could be searched in the context of history, culture and its environment.

For an introduction to Tazhib (Illuminations), Calligraphy and Carpet see (*)

Need to read more and more

I have really enjoyed the first session that we had with Neil Modernism in Design. I have studied history of art in Iran which was mostly based on fine arts and had a brief look at design area. Considering design through the time and design movements in western countries are very new for me; I’ll try to read and think more about them to get a point of view and be brave to share my thought.
I had a quick look through the art library last Monday 18th Sep. Some of the books are great; I borrowed the visual Research; an introduction to research methodology in graphic design, by Ian Noble and Russell Bestley.

Starting of my diary

I have decided to use this blog as a dairy for my M.A programme. I’ll try to writ down as much about my ideas and work progress as I can. First of all what has happened up to now; we had two weeks induction which was very useful, we get to know different parts of the university , department staffs and a brief induction to the MA programme muddles. We have been told to think and gather ideas that we like to work on and research about. By the way, I have got my student and library card and my Athens ID and Password which are great. Every thing is ready to work with and now I really need to focus on the ideas and design questions and issues. I have to work fast and deeply. Time is too short.

The Beginning

It is the start of a new world and a new skill for me . Writing in English isn't a thing that I would looking forward but here I am making my own first blog in English isn't it funy?