Las Vegas Signage

So over spring break I traveled to fabulous Las Vegas. I didn't do much but I did notice a lot of things. So as I was walking down the strip as I do every time I go there, I noticed that designs were changing. The Treasure Island identity changed from a decorative, pirate themed sign to a new sign. I had noticed this before but I didn't think twice about it. I also noticed that the Planet Hollywood logo had changed as well. The previous one that I remembered was the blue planet with stars and Planet Hollywood streaking across the front. The new sign is simple and minimal, much like the new Treasure Island sign. I found this interesting for some reason. Then I started noticing that a lot of design is changing to be more minimal in an attempt to look high-end or modern. I don't know. I'm finding it fascinating. I actually liked the old Treasure Island sign with the pirate skull. The new sign is too plain. I don't get a Treasure Island feel when I look at it. I mean it's a good design but I don't feel it’s functioning or pertaining to the theme of the hotel. The new Planet Hollywood design is okay I guess. I still get a feeling of a planet but it's Vegas. Come on. Have some fun. They're starting to get a little too minimal with the signs. If I was given the opportunity to create an identity for a Hotel on the strip I would go crazy. I would design something fun and attention grabbing. That’s the point. Yes, simple is better, but give me something that can stand out of the crowd. Something sexy and intriguing. Make it modern and edgy.

Propaganda

This British poster was created during WWI and was utilized to get men to join the cause by playing on their internal emotions. The masculinity of the father figure comes into question because we're left wondering if he fought for his country. His son playing with toy soldiers, symbolizing that his son supports fighting for the country. The man stares out at the viewer as if he does not know what to do and this creates the idea that we don't want to be this man. We want to be able to say " yes, I fought and defended my country", instead of being embarassed by our children and not having this "wimpy/pansy"-esque look. That is one take on the poster. the other is that he did in fact fight in the Great War and is now able to tell his children about the duty he performed and that everything turned out alright. There is debate on which way the poster goes. I think it can go either way.

Design Mind Map

Design, Culture, and Language

Design is a form of communication. It is the instrument from which we express or convey a message. This message could be personal or societal. Design delivers this message to people and cultures that view it or experience it.

Culture is a shared set of values, beliefs, and traditions of a certain group of people. There are many different kinds cultures. Culture is difficult to define due to the fact that culture could be a new movement, an old tradition, or even language that a group of people adhere to within society. That society that they are in could contain within it hundreds of different cultures or movements. Thus, an intertwining of cultures and shared knowledge, patterns, blending and defining society.

Language is the form of communication we utilize to communicate culturally, visually, verbally, theoretically.