The First Journey: September 2014

24 September 2014

Task 2 - Proposal (Animation 2 Part 1)

Task 2 - Proposal

A brief presentation on the introduction of the animation and also research on the topic given, next is to choose the method of animation, Narrative, Motion Graphics or Short Film.

This is the animation schedule for the project, however it start from week 4 as the pre-production was a bit delayed.

Task 1 - Brand Study (Graphics Design 2 Part 1)

Task 1 - Brand Study

After asking to identify what is brand, brand identity and brand elements. We are required to pick a brand and do a sort of case study on the brand on its, achievements or products and uncover the background of that specific brand.

For this I chose Universal Studios in favor of my major which is Animation, are closely related to movies

Universal Studios has been around for some time and created numerous movies and animation. Considered as Hollywood's Big Six (one of the main production studios) founded in 1912, the studio has 100 years of history in movie making. Started as a small studio and well integrated studio style movie production studio it slowly grow in 1915 into the largest motion picture production studios on a converted farm outside of Hollywood. Laemmle, CEO at the time did not want the studio to turn into a theater chain therefore he start letting tourist into the studio, and remain as the largest movie studio for a decade or so. Universal studio manage to get hold of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit although Disney and Iwerk were the ones that created that character, they enjoyed a successful run for the film until Disney and Iwerk created Mickey Mouse and the first sound cartoon short, Steamboat Willie (1928) this secured Disney's foothold while Universal remain in the shadows.

1945, a British entrepreneur, J. Arthur Rank wanting to make a presence in America made a 4 way jointed operations but was dissolved one year later. Indie company International remains interested with Universal and stayed along. By the 1950s MCA (Music Corporation of America) takes over and in 1970, Universal tried to teamed up with Paramount Pictures and Cinema International Corporation and created 3 tide turning movies, Airport (1970), The Sting (1973), American Graffiti (1973) restored the company's fortune and name, in 1975 Jaws was released further sealing the company's place. CIC decided to merge with MGM Entertainment and release a few more titles, Back to the Future (1985), E.T (1982), Jurassic Park (1993). Universal then created their own production studios DreamWorks in 1997.

Universal as a brand, movies comes to mind and as the word "universal" means the universal/the world therefore the globe is used as part of the brand indicating that they and their products are accepted by everyone in the world. There are two types of the Universal brand, one is as the above that is portrayed in the movies the other is visible in their Universal Studio theme parks.

In the movie making industry, Universal Studio has a lot of competitors such as

Disney

20th Century Fox

The brand design is a simple globe/earth with the American continent showing (because that is where they originated from)

The globe represent the globalization of the company, meaning it is an international company where its productions are accepted by the whole world. In addition to that the wordings "UNIVERSAL" orbits from the right to left, further indicating and enhance the globe feeling and also to introduce audience this is an Universal Studios production.

For it's dynamics, there are plenty from merchandise to theme parks, but the most iconic of all are the theme parks, where the audience of the movie can actually play a part in the movie themed rides and also get along with the characters from the movies in photo sessions and shows.

23 September 2014

Discussion & Collect Visual (Visual Communication)

Discussion & Collect Visual (Visual Communication)

a) List 5 local and 5 international symbols

Symbols and Icons are almost similar to one another but however, the distinct difference between the two is that Symbol contains more cultural meaning than an Icon does and for that here are the 5 local symbols

b) What kind of visuals used to communicate? Does it work? What is it for? The purpose of this task is to identify the function and information from the form (symbol) that you will gather

c) What is the relation of those symbols in social or cultural context?

LOCAL

Fig. http://cf.ltkcdn.net/tattoos/images/std/9250-425x319-Hibiscus_tribal.jpg

The Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia, it can be also a symbol for country itself a different version of a flag for the Malaysia country. The flower itself explains by itself as everyone who lived or studied in Malaysia knows of the Hibiscus flower is the national flower, the bland image of it will remind us of our country. The red colour represent the courage in the Malaysian flag while the 5 petal represent the 5 Rukun Negara of the country.

Fig.2 http://sundaytimes.lk/110807/images/Malay-Keris-in-the-Kandy-gallery.jpg

When we talk about Keris a type of weapon the malays use during the 18th century, we think of the Melaka history of which involves Hang Tuah a very famous fighter during the period of time. This is used as the symbol of power, authority in many government department. The Keris is a traditional weapon used by the malays during the invasion of the British, it is not only a weapon but also a cultural piece to Malaysia. It was once represent as a weapon, now its an object of respect.

Fig.3 http://www.kew.org/files/styles/content_featured/public/assets/KPPCONT_028829.jpg?itok=ZCguMDbL

For the Rafflesia flower this is used as the symbol for flora in Malaysia, most of the time when Flora and Fauna, Rafflesia is used as the representative of Flora as the flower is the largest flower in the world making it the perfect representative/symbol for Flora in the country.

Fig.4 http://laptopgardener.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Malaysia1.jpg

The Twin Tower can be said as an International symbol or icon, but nevertheless it is located locally in Malaysia. This amazing construction marks the modernization of the country as the symbol of progression, trade and modernization. Note that this building is even more recognizable than the country itself.

Fig.5 http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF76Ng4na0c/Tdtnz7_80PI/AAAAAAAAAVE/rT_jjzjn72M/s1600/scan0011.jpg

Lastly is the Wau, a traditional kite used and played by the malays. Symbolically representing the malay race in the country or the culture of malays in the country. Easily when seen automatically reminds you of the malay culture, the wau may seem simple but its not easy to make and it works fine as a kite even its appearance doesn't seem workable as a kite.

INTERNATIONAL

Fig.6 http://www.brothersofpaterson.com/uploads/Ankh-Symbol-of-Life.png

The Ankh has been the symbol of Life for a very long time used in many occasion to represent life. In video games this is used as the symbol of revival or the power of life. In other stuffs, the Ankh is representing life and death

Fig.7 http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.5290347.6114/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg

The shape of the heart is known as the symbol of love by everyone who knows how to identify a shape. The heart shape also been used as the symbol of life but more individuals use it as the symbol of love as the love comes from the heart.

Fig.8 https://cdn.tutsplus.com/vector/uploads/2013/10/symbols-017.jpg

Rather than just a stick version of a man and women, the male female symbol is as of the above. The original symbol for this comes from the Greeks where they use this to represent Venus and Mars in 1962, William T. Stearn published an article "The Origins of the Male and Female Symbol"

Fig.9 http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Wicca%20&%20Witchcraft/peace_4.jpg

The Symbol of Peace, many people knows as the V sign shown by the point and middle finger. The original symbol for peace is as the above. Started as a Anti Nuclear War movement during the 1958, Artist Gerald Holtom drew a circle with 3 lines inside, after he finished the design, it was use for many anti-nuclear movement then eventually used as a peace sign in the US in the 1960.

Fig.10 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Yin_and_Yang.svg/1024px-Yin_and_Yang.svg.png

Yin and Yang, often known for the appearance in movies for rituals, but the true meaning behind it is balance. The black and white represents the opposite of elements (male = female, passive = active, negative = positive) The nature of the symbol is that everything in reality works in balance, there can never be too much of something and too little of something

Figure 1. Hibiscus [Image] At: http://cf.ltkcdn.net/tattoos/images/std/9250-425x319-Hibiscus_tribal.jpg (Accessed 26th September 2014)

19 September 2014

20 Icons and Symbols (Visual Communications)

Tutorial Classes (Visual Communication)

In the recent tutorials we were asked to find and list down 20 icons and symbols around the world here are the 20 examples I found