Monday 7th March 2016
For the first lecture back after the Workshop and Assessment weeks, we were going over the prequel/sequel topic and many areas that fall under its range. Stephen went through some key points whilst running a documentary throughout the lecture that spoke of ideas not being original any more - or at least how it is very difficult to be original nowadays. The first of the key words that he spoke about was 'Connect', speaking of how one needs to be able to find that connection with their audience in their designs. The audience that something is aiming to influence can also serve as a basis for originality in the processing of ideas, as many may have already tried similar efforts to woo over the same target audience.
The second key word touched one was that of 'Intent', focusing on how the meaning of the design must hold some sway in certain aspects of its creation - giving it some way to influence an audience through its intended ideal. To go against this point however would be to look at what Paul Rand once said in an interview about his IBM logo creation as displayed below; saying how he chose to go with that particular design because it 'looked good' - or at least something along those lines was his intention for it.
(http://qz.com/461040/how-to-design-an-enduring-logo-lessons-from-ibm-and-paul-rand/)
Another point of emphasis from this lecture was the point where we were told to work with an acknowledgement of the past by using previous methods in our work (or at least in some way shape or form using it as a reference when needed). After touching on the first few points of interest, the first part of the documentary 'Everything is a Remix' was played for us in the lecture. Part 1 being aptly named 'The Song Remains the Same' - within the first rendition of the documentary, it was discussed how many musical artists were not original with the music or vocals that were used in their songs. The primary point of discussion for this part was that of Led Zeppelin's creative process of their songs. The first section basically spoke of how there are only two legal forms of legal remixing - covers and knock-off's.
Moving onto the second section of the documentary, it went on to depict how remixing is used in film, with the title 'Remix Inc.' the documentary went on to give examples of how particular films and directors would use old film's as a grand influence in many of their movies' scenes. For instance, George Lucas and Quentin Tarentino were/are both directors that have used old cinematography ideas in their own movies. For example, Lucas would use old Westerns and War films for Star Wars' action sequences, and Tarentino is known for making links to Japenese film of the 50's through slight nods in his own films - i.e. Kill Bill's famous outfit that was worn by Bruce Lee in one of his own films.
The third instalment of this documentary went onto explain the discovery of certain things and something that has been invented - and if we would still be the same today if we hadn't had said inventions. It went on to make the point of how those who invented the light bulb, steam engines, the internet and even the modern day PC, should they have failed in delivering this invention, there was likely another individual on the same path of discovery. This was then labelled as Multiple Discovery - saying how more than one person may be on the path to finding the same idea whether they be doing so in the same year/day or some time behind the items release.
Before reaching the final part of the documentary, we went over some other examples of how ideas come from something else. For instance, Paul Rand, a leading designer of his time went on to say "Don't try to be original, just try to be good. That sounds sort of naive but its true." Then moving onto talk about how all art and design movements of the past have somehow come from one another in some respect, showing that nothing is truly original. The final part of this documentary finally went on to talk about how social evolution resulted in a 'System Failure' with the terms of coming up with an idea, or copying one. At this point it went on to talk of how ideas are now considered property. This is because of the growing demands in a market, people are starting to stop others copying their ideas as designs become more in demand in the growing markets.
When we copy we justify.
When others copy we vilify.
