After watching the video course, answer the following questions:
- Objective observation During the interview, Marian mentions, «When I worked at Digitopolis, I was working almost entirely on the computer, basically the computer and with photography. And now I am using a wide variety of materials, sometimes still involved with a computer and sometimes just with the materials themselves. But having a space like this allows me to obviously store them all, and to work on these various surfaces in different media.»What is your opinion on the use of the computer combined with different media? Write one page (350 words) on your opinion of the importance of media and design and your take on the use of computer technology.
- Pushing technology and changing philosophy While describing her style development, Marian states, “I am not an expert on illuminated manuscripts by any stretch of the imagination, but there are a couple of purposes of it. But one of those purposes is definitely to invoke wonder in this way that was very interesting to me and was feeding directly into my ideas about that symbiotic relationship between graphics and text.»How do you think this links to the philosophy of the Swiss International School? How is it different? Has technology given us an advantage in expressing the symbiotic relationship between image and text? What about Marian’s work? Is this reflected in her work? Do a write-up (350 words) on the relationship between image and text as seen in Marian’s work and relate this to the Swiss International School. Substantiate your answers with relevant facts. You may use a visual example of Marian’s work and that of the Swiss International School to facilitate your analysis.
Objective observation
My opinion on the use of the computer combined with different media is that it makes designing for everyone. When only working with computer or digital tools, it limits the use for some. We are different, and what is easier for you may be difficult for another. When combining, everyone can find their way. Somebody likes to draw and sketch by hand and others think it’s easier only to use digital tools.
Combining the use of different media, is also something that can make your designing result much better. When you have an idea, it is much easier to just draw it fast/sketch on paper, from that you can work and develop your design on a digital platform. Or if you draw the design and finished it by hand, you can scan the piece and finalize it in Illustrator. I have also heard before that when we draw or use a pencil, we use the more “creative” part of the brain. We store information and think different from when you use the computer.
When it comes to digital tools, there are some limits to what you can create and often it is something new. Drawing is something you have done since you were a little kid. I think that people get a little intimidated by the digital tools and think they have to learn a lot, but often it isn’t as hard as you think and there is just a new thing you have to get used to. When learning, it can upgrade your design, it can be a great help and make it easier to create the idea you want.
The more you are combining, the more possibility you will get, and it will help you to solve problems that could have been limited if you hadn’t combined.
Pushing technology and changing philosophy
I think what links the philosophy of the Swiss International School and Marian’s style is what she says, the symbiotic relationship between graphics and text. Both of the styles focus on the use of text and imagery together. But at the same time, the two styles are very different. The swiss international style is clear and alle about simplicity, while in Marian’s work you have to take time to explore and understand them. You have to interpreter her work to fully understand her vision which gives it a more personal connection. In Swiss style the focus is more universal, and the simplicity is for everyone to understand and they stay away from personal views.
Technology has definitely given us a lot more options when it comes to the expressing the symbiotic relationship between image and text. Visual communication probably plays a more important role than ever.
In Marian’s work the relationship between image and text goes together. She crosses boundaries of style and technology. Her pieces are detailed and it has a structure underneath the pattering and ornament. The pieces are very interesting and are very important for the visual culture.
Examples of Marian’s work:
cathrinenilsen.com 