Overused Symbols

I agree with what Jacob Cass said about icons, shapes, and symbols being overused in graphics.  I never realized how often I see these symbols, and never thought they'd be considered a cliche.  When looking through some of the symbols that he used as examples, I could think of numerous places that I've seen them before whether it was in a magazine, on TV, in an advertisement, or on a clothing logo.  I tried to think of some other symbols that are being overused, and this is what I came up with......

One of the most overused signs that I see today is the peace sign.  

Not only does it represent peace, but also a form of saying bye.  

Not to mention all of the people who take pictures holding up the peace sign.  

Very cliche.

Another symbol that I thought of as being somewhat overused is the shamrock.  

This symbol represents luck.  People who are Irish are more likely to use this symbol.  

Many people also have this symbol as a tattoo or associate Pubs with being Irish.

The most overused sign that I've seen is not the number sign, but the hashtag.  

This is the sign that can be found all over Twitter; it is known as trending.  

Now that many people are on Twitter, it is being used more and more.  

It's even being carried over to Facebook.

Pen Tool Exercises

Color Basics

Color Wheel

 Complementary Color Grids

Elements of Design in Advertising

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN IN ADVERTISING

COLOR

This ad has both primary and secondary colors.  It uses the color element of design.

DIRECTION

The way the airplane is going off the page your eyes wander; it is the direction element of design.

LINE

The arms coming from the goalie symbolizes a ferris wheel are also the line element of design.

SIZE

The size of the little car in comparison to the large fork represent the size element of design.

SHAPE

The continuous rectangular shape of the chocolates are also an element of design: shape.

TEXTURE

The way the makeup is shown in the background of this ad represents the texture element of design.

VALUE

The grayscale of this ad with its white, light gray, dark gray, and black use the value element of design.

Milton Glaser

I found a few things interesting about the film on Milton Glaser.  I like that they interviewed him in a variety of settings, including his office that didn't look like what I expected.  One of the things that I liked that Glaser said was, "Always operate by interruption."  This means he could be one the phone, talking to someone, and making a design that turns out great.  I also liked that he said he doesn't fully understand art because I don't think a lot of people do.  It was interesting to see the designer of the I <3 NY because I've seen that everywhere for so long but never bothered to see who came up with it.  Glaser said once you see it, it stimulates your mind and you remember it.

When looking through the work that Glaser has done, I notice some familiar pieces that I didn't know were his.  I find them all very interesting and fascinating.  Aside from the NY design, another piece that stood out to me that was also mentioned in the film was the Fortune 500 one.  Something as simple as putting a number rather than a word and making such an impact just amazes me.  

I like how FORTUNE is written really big at the top of the page.  The thing that stands out to me and probably everyone else is the number 5; it is big, bold, and colorful.  There is also symmetry in the design.  It was an interesting idea to use the word hundred rather than writing 500.  I think it makes the piece stand out more and make it more memorable.

Another design by Milton Glaser that caught my eye was for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. There is a lot of color and lines throughout the piece.  At first glance I didn't realize the letters written inside in black, "MIA." Writing the word Institute around the edge like that also makes the eyes wander. The colors that Glaser used are interesting as well.