RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
Sketchbooks Research & Analysis Ideas for Week 5.
Different ways graphic designers produce work collaboratively & the essential components of collaborative practice
The concept of solitary creative genius is a myth (Moseley, n.d.). Truly unique work that is fresh, unlike anything else and pushes boundaries comes about as a direct result of collaboration (Designboom, 2019).
Essential Components of Collaborative Practice:
· Open-mindedness and curiosity
· Freedom to create and be inspired
· Participation, co-operation and consultation
· Communication, dialogue and asking questions
· Organization and accountability
· Adaptability
· Mutual Trust and Respect.
Collaborating with different industries, countries, and people automatically brings about new ideas, perspectives, and imaginings. Evian has over the years collaborated with leading fashion designers Paul Smith, Jean Paul Gaultier, Diane Von Furstenberg, Chrisitan Lacroix and Issey Miyake, who draw from their collections and conceptual visions to cross-pollinate and create awe-inspiring packaging (Evian and Virgil Abloh Put A Rainbow Inside Soma Bottles, n.d.).
Fig. 1: Versus, n.d.
Cultural project visionary Kenjiro Kirton creates designs that engage communities through creative play for companies like Google and Facebook. Similarly, the London based studio Kellenberger White advocates a responsive, playful public participation process to create unique outcomes.
Originality through collaboration is evident in the creation of Havana Club by Pearl Fisher. The agency team went to Cuba and emersed themselves in a joyful, visually arresting culture and its people, showing in the brand identity. Collaboration with local artists, illustrators and photographers showed raw creativity and a distinctive style of handcraft and layering in a chaotic, energized, authentic way that evokes the spirit of Cuba through human touch.
Fig. 2, 3: Fisher, P., n.d.
The creativity of Absolut Vodka can be attributed to the evolving collection of creative collaborations contained in the numerous works of design, fashion, music, modern and contemporary art. Absolut Rock launched in 2009, wrapped in leather and studs, to pay tribute to rock and roll by working closely with visionary photographer Danny Clinch and the Australian rock band Wolfmother. Absolut India, Home of the Tiger, collaborated with National Institute of Design alumnus Ajay Boga to create a motif that pays homage to the conservation effort to protect India's tiger population (Absolut, n.d.). The limited-edition bottles hold symbolism and meaning to different countries, people and genres. The collaborations have in themselves created lasting art pieces.
Christoph Miller collaboration methodology behind Migrant Journal is to broaden the audience's perspective and narrative around migration. A team of designers, academic researchers, journalists and photographers collaborated across six journals to showcase migration of everything from people moving across South America, through Mexico to the US, to the flow of money, capital and information, and water migration of whales escaping noise pollution. Miller hopes this may give people pause for thought and debate.
Morag Myerscough creates social design for society as a whole. Her work transforming the Sheffield Children's Hospital ward bedrooms showed a collaboration through design thinking, dialogue, participation and consultation with staff, patients, architects and printers to bring bright colours and patterns to life and improve patient care.
In collaboration with Lemn Sissay, Myerscough conducted poetry workshops with young patients and then transformed the poems, designs and patterns into vibrant wallpapers and stencilled for five children's hospital dining rooms. "Variety of form and brilliancy of colour in objects presented to patients are an actual means of recovery" - Florence Nightingale, 1859 (Sheffield Hospital Bedrooms - Morag Myerscough, n.d.).
Fig. 4, 5, 6: Morag Myerscough, n.d.
Danielle Pender's Riposte Magazine collaborates with authors, photographers, editors, and print production to create an inspirational magazine for smarter women celebrating their achievements. By asking questions of her collaborators, she unearths the unexpected and brings to light the unknown.
Fig. 7: Riposte, n.d.
Be it through dialogue, participation, play, workshops, asking questions or debate, collaboration with different industries, artists, society and the public, gains insight and perspective that results in unique and unexpected creations.
IMAGINE
Sketchbook Workshop Challenge ideas for Week 5.
The Pirelli Calendar
The Pirelli Calendar began as a corporate advertising tool and slowly became more progressive and successful before achieving cult status as a trailblazer. The authentic aesthetic and cultural philosophy is seen as a precursor to changing times and achieves this goal through collaboration with artists, photographers, musicians, influential people and movements that inspire a global audience.
Harri Peccinotti’s 1968 calendar took inspiration from the poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Allen Ginsberg and Ronsard. Sarah Moon, in 1972 broke taboo’s to become the first woman photographer to shoot the Calendar. In 1987 Terence Donovan’s ground-breaking Calendar featured only black models, including a 16-year-old Naomi Campbell. The following year Barry Lategan included a male model for the first time in a traditional showcase of female beauty. The Calendar launched creative careers and drove industry change.
Herb Ritt’s 1994 calendar, entitled “A Homage to Women”, set out to capture a woman's place in the world as proud, sexy and beautiful on the inside, with a line-up of supermodels including Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, Kate Moss and Karen Alexander.
Photo reporter Steve McCurry’s 2013 shots revealed the changing social and economic situation in Brazil. His cast included the Brazilian actress Sonia Braga, singer Marisa Monte, and models Adriana Lima, Petra Nemcova and Summer Rayne Oakes, who all shared a shared commitment to charity work, supporting NGOs, foundations and humanitarian projects.
Annie Leibovitz’s, 2016 Calendar focuses on the woman as the bearer of positive messages. The American photographer gathers together thirteen distinguished women who have achieved important professional, social, cultural, sporting and artistic life (Harri Peccinotti | SHOWstudio, n.d.).
No limitations or restrictions are placed on the collaborators to ensure freedom to create and inspire: a brave brand strategy and a testament to the values of Perelli.
Workshop Challenge Final Outcome - Pirelli Calendar.
REFLECTION
I have always held the concept of collaboration at arms-length, choosing instead to rely and depend on myself to carry projects through from start to finish. I am only now starting to see the value and inspiring creative work that can come about through curiosity and relying on perspective, input and divergent skills.
The collaborative skills of fashion designers translated to inspiring Evian water packaging. The process of asking questions led to exciting and original content for Riposte. Dialogue, curiosity and participation resulted in Morag Myerscough changing health and wellness. Kenjiro Kirton's creative play engages communities, and Kellenberger White loses themselves in the process to achieve a unique outcome.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Reference: Moseley, C., n.d. 6 crucial collaboration skills (and how to foster them). [online] Blog.jostle.me. Available at: <https://blog.jostle.me/blog/6-collaboration-skills-and-how-to-foster-them> [Accessed 30 June 2021].
n.d. Evian and Virgil Abloh Put A Rainbow Inside Soma Bottles. [online] Available at: <https://www.ifitshipitshere.com/design/bottle-design/designer-evian-bottles/> [Accessed 30 June 2021].
Reference: Moragmyerscough.com. n.d. Sheffield Hospital Bedrooms - Morag Myerscough. [online] Available at: <https://www.moragmyerscough.com/commissions/sheffield-hospital-bedrooms> [Accessed 4 July 2021].
Reference: It's Nice That, Danielle Pender (2019) Nicer Tuesdays: Riposte magazine, [online video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOWyVOy7JwMM (Links to an external site.). [Accessed 4 June 2019]
Referemce: Hari Peccinotti, https://showstudio.com/contributors/harri_peccinotti (Links to an external site.)
Reference: DesignBoom (2019) Interview with graphic designer Vaughan Oliver,[online]. Available at: https://www.designboom.com/design/interview-with-graphic-designer-vaughan-oliver-12-19-2014/ (Links to an external site.).[Accessed 4 June 2019]
Reference: Showstudio.com. n.d. Harri Peccinotti | SHOWstudio. [online] Available at: <https://showstudio.com/contributors/harri_peccinotti> [Accessed 30 June 2021].
Reference: Absolut Absolut. n.d. Absolut. [online] Available at: <https://www.absolut.com/za/products/> [Accessed 30 June 2021].
Image 1: Versus, n.d. [image] Available at: <http://agence-versus.com/portfolio/evian-limited-editions/> [Accessed 4 July 2021].
Image 2, 3: Fisher, P., n.d. Havana Club. [image] Available at: <https://creativepool.com/pearlfisher/projects/havana-club-3-anos> [Accessed 4 July 2021].
Image 4, 5, 6: n.d. Morag Myerscough. [image] Available at: <https://www.moragmyerscough.com> [Accessed 4 July 2021].
Image 7: n.d. Riposte. [image] Available at: <https://www.port-magazine.com/design/riposte-a-smart-magazine-for-women/> [Accessed 4 July 2021].
Image 8 - 18: Vanity Fair, 2015. The 2016 Pirelli Calendar Breaks Tradition and Stereotypes. [image] Available at: <https://www.google.com/search?q=PIRELLI+CALENDAR+2016&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiWquqj6cnxAhV3EWMBHWOiAVUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=PIRELLI+CALENDAR+2016&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECCMQJzIECCMQJzIECAAQQzICCAAyBggAEAgQHjIGCAAQCBAeMgQIABAYMgQIABAYMgQIABAYMgQIABAYOgYIABAFEB5Q-4khWJeQIWCVkSFoAHAAeACAAcACiAGACJIBBTItMy4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=BODhYJaYFveijLsP48SGqAU&bih=1193&biw=1332&client=safari#imgrc=alkjrMW1eGz1LM> [Accessed 4 July 2021].
Image 19: Daily News, 2013. Pirelli releases calendar shot by Newton in 1986. [image] Available at: <https://www.google.com/search?q=pirelli+calendar+1994&client=safari&rls=en&sxsrf=ALeKk007QCNx0EIABmI9zo-WBiJ3DaaarQ:1625415576951&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim-c3w6MnxAhVVgVwKHbtuBS0Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1332&bih=1193#imgrc=TT0Wvb6LDf_p9M&imgdii=V9XR-PgxKfpW5M> [Accessed 4 July 2021].
Image 20: Fashionista, 2012. TITS AND TIRES: THE PIRELLI CALENDAR FROM 1964 TO TODA. [image] Available at: <https://fashionista.com/2012/11/tits-and-tires-the-pirelli-calendar-from-1964-to-today> [Accessed 4 July 2021].
Image 21: Worth Point, 1994. PIRELLI CALENDAR 1994. [image] Available at: <https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/pirelli-calendar-1994-168658489> [Accessed 4 July 2021].