Project
Summary
For this task the concept was to understand and analyze logo
and symbols, to know and understand the difference between logo and symbols and
how to differentiate them from each other. Upon receiving such understanding we
are needed to recreate and develop a logo or symbol on my own terms and design.
First we learned about the definitions of visual communication and cultural
meaning behind visual images and how they affect the audience. From there we
analyze the images and find the story or cultural meaning behind the image and
learn why they do the design the way it is. In the process of analyzing the
logo or symbol, we learned that all of the logo was based on a foundation of a
specific organization or theme and that symbol or logo are strongly related to
that theme or organization to give in identity purpose.
Specific
Aims
- To understand the difference of logo and symbol
- To understand the cultural meaning of logo and symbol
- To learn the process of creating a logo or symbol
- The design theory and methods of creating a logo or symbol
- To understand visual communication and how design
theory and methods of creating a logo or symbol it affects society
Background
and Significance
What is Visual
Communication?
From what I understand visual communication
is the form of communication through visual or images, similar as verbal
communication only different medium. Visual Communication has a lot to do with
signs, symbols, icons and typography and are vital to a Graphic Designer as it
will be the main focus on the project or design focus any Graphic Designer is to
be able to communicate with the audience through visuals. However in this
module we learn more in depth in the field of logos and symbols, how they are
different from each other and how they contribute to the society.
Semiotics: Science of Signs
= anything that contain a meaning
The term that we learned is semiotic and that
symbols are actually logos that contain meaning/cultural references. In terms
of the “meaning” it is actually the story behind the symbol of how it was
created and why is the was created that way and also we learned the differences
of Signifier and Signified
Signifier Signified
Lighting
= Rain
Red = Danger
It is more on what it looks like and what it
actually means. The meaning of the symbols changes according to the situation
and location of where it is located. For example, the red colour can be “danger”
on a high rise area but down on the street the meaning leans towards “stop” more
than “danger”.
Icons are the representative of something, while
symbols have a meaning although they are very closely related, once understood
the concept of symbols and icons the differentiation is easy to do.
First we learn how to identify icons and symbols
by doing a little exercise
Icon
Symbol
From there shows the understanding of the
difference between symbol and icon. Icon is a basic form of representation of
the item, object or action like the is no story to be told or any history
behind the icon, when you see the icon you know what is it and it performs just
as same as the text of the item/object/action itself. For example:
RECYCLE
Without the need of any
explanation you understood what both of the object shown above that is how icon
works
For
symbol it work a little different:
We all know what this is, it is the symbol of
Batman it represents the Dark Knight, however it also means more than that.
Batman is the symbol of fear to the criminals, a symbol of justice in the eyes
of the citizens of Gotham and the symbol of an injustice vigilante in the eyes
of authorities.
This symbol means hope of the citizen
everything they see this, and the end of the line for criminals
How was this created? Batman uses his own
fears which is the fear of bats and uses it upon his own enemies, in a way
Batman became his own fears by turning himself into the bat and his enemies
himself.
Preliminary
Data
In this part of the project we found 5 different symbols
from both local and international to understand each story and function in
society. How each symbol an image contributes to portraying information to
audiences is based on how good is the symbol design and the colours that they
used, for example:
It is the symbol of the female gender and combined together
with the pink colour which everyone thinks it is a feminine colour, it gives
out a stronger impression rather than a black and white version.
5 Symbols (International)
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
Figure 3: Ankh, Symbol of
Life/Reincarnation/Revival
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.
Figure 4: Heart Shape, Symbol of
Love/Life
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"
Figure 5: Gender Symbols, Symbol of
female and male
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.
Figure 6:
Symbol of Peace
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 7:
Yin & Yang, Symbol of Balance/Spiritual
5 Symbols (Local)
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.
Figure 8:
Hibiscus, Nation Flower symbol of Malaysia
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 it’s an object of respect.
Figure 9:
Keris, Symbol of Authority
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.
Figure 10:
Rafflesia, Symbol of Flora
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.
Figure 11:
Twin Tower Petronas, Symbol of Modernization
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.
Figure 12:
Wau, Symbol of Malay Culture
Experimental
Design and Methods
Finally the project begins and chose the Hibiscus without any
delay the sketching begins
After playing with colour, I proceeded with ratio
After the ratio is done, I move to experimenting with a more
geometrical shaped design
With that the experimenting is done and the final design is
selected an completed with scaling and black and white.
Reference
Figure
1. Hibiscus [Image] At: http://cf.ltkcdn.net/tattoos/images/std/9250-425x319-Hibiscus_tribal.jpg (Accessed
26th September 2014)
Figure 2, Keris [Image] At: http://sundaytimes.lk/110807/images/Malay-Keris-in-the-Kandy-gallery.jpg (Accessed 26th September 2014)
Figure 3, Rafflesia [Image] At: http://www.kew.org/files/styles/content_featured/public/assets/KPPCONT_028829.jpg?itok=ZCguMDbL (Accessed 26th September 2014)
Figure 4, Twin Towers [Image] At: http://laptopgardener.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Malaysia1.jpg (Accessed 26th September 2014)
Figure 5, Wau [Image] At: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF76Ng4na0c/Tdtnz7_80PI/AAAAAAAAAVE/rT_jjzjn72M/s1600/scan0011.jpg (Accessed 26th September 2014)
Figure 6, Ankh [Image] At: http://www.brothersofpaterson.com/uploads/Ankh-Symbol-of-Life.png (Accessed 26th September 2014)
Figure 7, Love Shape [Image] At: http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.5290347.6114/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg (Accessed 26th September 2014)
Figure 8, Male and Female Symbols [Image] At: https://cdn.tutsplus.com/vector/uploads/2013/10/symbols-017.jpg (Accessed 26th September 2014)
Figure 9, Symbols of Peace [Image] At: http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Wicca%20&%20Witchcraft/peace_4.jpg (Accessed 26th September 2014)
Figure 10, Yin Yang [Image] At: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Yin_and_Yang.svg/1024px-Yin_and_Yang.svg.png (Accessed 26th September 2014)
