H & R Block

As I was sitting, waiting to do my taxes, I studied the graphic design on the wall and noticed it was very well done. Like anybody, doing my taxes is a little nerve racking and I noticed how the images H & R Block uses are perfect for helping the customer feel they are going to be cared for. The green color gives a sense of peace-a color often used on the walls of offices of psychologists. Round, circular shapes with no jutting or sharp lines or edges give a more relaxed feeling. Plus, the picture depicted is a family of all ages smiling. You always have to put that one in! One complaint I have is while the information on the translucent white circle is a very interesting graphic design solution, at the same time it is completely covering up the little boy's face on the left. I think the circle could have been placed differently or resized. Now that I look at it again, I know what I would have done. I would have moved the family farther down to the south east portion of the canvas and moved the circle slightly up. We don't need to see Mrs.'s knees or Mr.'s shirt so much, it's unnecessary. By doing these changes the little boy's face would be completely visible.

Jimmy John's

One of my favorite restaurants! I have always enjoyed the graphic signs Jimmy John's uses in the restaurant. They have many of the characteristics of the food and the people who work there-simple, sometimes loud, friendly, goofy. This sign in particular is interesting because to me it is reminiscent of the Futura/Heroic Realism movement, with the "fist/bread of power." The sign also displays characteristics of the Art Deco movement with the rays emanating from the center, the jutting sharp shapes and type which makes the image feel "speedy" and the bold, limited use of color. Jimmy John's signs tend to use centered layouts where primarily red, black, white and some yellows are used and there is clear emphasis. These characteristics are powerful and fun and because of the clear layouts, they are comfortable to look at. Therefore, whenever I'm eating there I find I'm reading the same signs over and over.

Za's

If you haven't noticed, I like going out to eat. I've looked at these pictures on the wall at Za's for a couple years now but now with this assignment I actually looked at them with design elements in mind this time around. Both pictures (the third picture is a close up of the second) hint the subject matter without nailing it to the ground with detail-which reminds me of the early modern movement, when artists strived to get a point across as quickly and non-frivolously as possible. The flat planes of color of the first reminds me of Toulouse Latrec's work; the second is almost an impressionist approach landscape depiction (from afar you know exactly what you are looking at but up close it is a mix of splotches and lines of color-not a whole lot of extra sharpness or detail). Anyway, in class we are talking a lot about how the need for realistic depiction of subject matter has gone by the wayside in the twentieth century because of serious social reasons, and here I was looking at these pictures, thinking how we take for granted the immense change that took place in art and how now we don't think anything of an ambiguous or abstract work of art. It's commonplace. I was looking at these pictures thinking of how when artists first started trying out these more abstract techniques, they were often rejected or thrown out of art school. Fast forward: photography now can use very life-like images to communicate something, so art and design are not needed for this goal. In the present, the message is more important. If an artist creates an exact copy of a subject, that's what it is considered-an exact copy, big deal. The audience then asks, so what? What's the message? What's unique? What are we to feel?

Station Theatre Advertisements

At the Station Theatre in Urbana, there are always posters on the walls advertising past or future plays. I chose a couple I liked for this blog. The first is a very simplified but structured and symmetrical design that is very attractive to the eye. The second is what I believe to be a photograph of a small town close by. I've never been a fan of the town but this shot makes me appreciate it more because there are some beautiful things in this photo-the trees, the lines. I also felt the typography, even though embedded in what would normally be considered a busy background, is readable, which is an accomplishment for a black and white intricate photo. The Station Theatre's posters always attempt to depict the personality of the play they advertise, so I like to look at them and guess what the play is about.

Uncle Jack's

Another restaurant I have been to recently is Uncle Jack's, another one of those restaurants where they try to be hip by putting fruit actually in your juice, for example. Well, after looking at these pictures (on the flippy thing on the table), can you tell me you don't want some juice from there? The color management, the typography! I thought the layout was so beautiful. If you look close, you can see the bands behind the type of the second picture to coinside with the colors of the image but it is so well executed because they don't interfere with the overall layout. Very professionally and creatively done.

Famous Dave's

I go to Famous Dave's a lot not just because I love the ceaser salad but because of the atmosphere. It's a fun family oriented restaurant and the music is bluesy. The advertising design the place uses is great, every time. Sadly, Lil' Porgy's (Champaign, IL) tries to use the same kind of characteristic pig to advertise their restaurant, and while their food is good too....too late, it's Famous Dave's trademark. This in particular is a sign that was hand-painted and hangs inside the restaurant. Like all the other Famous Dave's brand designs, it's fun, colorful, lively, welcoming and approachable. I think I see all these values in this painting because the type is large and the elements fill the canvas...it tells me I will be full if I go here.

Midas

I have gone to the local Midas for my vehicle needs for years and recently they did a "Graphic Makeover." The new pictures on the walls make the place polished and professional and give one the feeling that these mechanics know what they're doing with their intricacy. While the graph-feel of the images give one the feeling of comfort in organization, the images of the cars are tilted and there is a lot of warm colors, which makes a dynamic and alluring design.