Task 1 - Project Report (Visual Communication)

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:

Figure 1: http://www.psdgraphics.com/file/female-gender-sign.jpg

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.

Figure 2: http://s772.photobucket.com/user/decaldoctorz/media/Logos/logo-female_symbol.jpg.html

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

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

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

http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.5290347.6114/flat,550x550,075,f.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"

Figure 5: Gender Symbols, Symbol of female and male

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

Figure 6: Symbol of Peace

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

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

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

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

http://cf.ltkcdn.net/tattoos/images/std/9250-425x319-Hibiscus_tribal.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 it’s an object of respect.

Figure 9: Keris, Symbol of Authority

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

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

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

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

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