Lecture 9: Communication & Mass Media

 Mass Media is a means of public communication reaching a large audience in a short period of time. Communication methods such as television, newspapers, magazines and radio, are used to send messages of advertisement, or news to the population.

The best subject to communicate on a massive level is Graphic Design.
Graphic Designers use techniques such as typography, advertising, animation, printing media, branding, packaging etc. to communicate to the public.

Caveman drawings - Early example of communication

Early signs of animation
similar drawings that if viewed as one give the illusion of movement

An example of taking a Fine Art piece and turning it into advertising by adding text

William Addison Dwiggins, a successful designer, said this:
‘In the matter of layout forget art at the start and use horse-sense. The printing- designer’s whole duty is to make a clear presentation of the message - to get the important statements forward and the minor parts placed so that they will not be overlooked. This calls for an exercise of common sense and a faculty for analysis rather than for art’.  

Richard Hollis: ‘Graphic Design is the business of making or choosing marks and arranging them on a surface to convey an idea’ 

Edward Manet - A bar at the Folies Bergeres

Britain compared with USA Army advertisements

Edward Johnson created the typeface of the logo 'Underground'
The original underground map (1931) - too complicated

The current underground map - communicates the information easier

Looking at all of these typefaces and advertisements, I can see the development of our communication skills through time. Graphic Design is an effective way to communicate, since it can link to any subject such as Fine Art, Animation, Advertising, and any art subject, thus reaching a wider target audience. 

Although Graphic Design was born out of the capitalists interests, it is becoming more useful to publicise social issues, thus why I think it's becoming a more popular subject.