Stefan Sagmeister:
Stefan Sagmeister is a New York based graphic designer who specialises in the use of photography based images combined with text- typography.
He uses the technique of using both text and lettering over an image or within an image to make a word, in order to deliver a message to the audience. It becomes a sort of sign of lateral meaning as the image and text often do not make sense together to the eye.
He uses digital techniques in order to achieve this effect with his imagery. I feel that by doing thus, he creates an identity for his subject and allows the audience to explore the history and purpose to the image. the photographs often look abstract and very raw- a lot of negative energy seems to feed off of the images, it's like the text causes the image to turn destructive.
I feel that Stefan Sagmeister work holds a very dark atmosphere, the feelings communicated through the use of text (layout/font and caps-lock) suggest that the subject is in distress and suffering. I have been influenced by the way Sagmeister uses text to tell the subject's story- this creates a deeper meaning within the image.
I like the way the text gives the image a voice; I have experimented with different ways of creating text with different materials to create lateral meaning.
My Own Imagery:
Use of text to illustrate an image laterally; I used hand rendered techniques to produce text on my image, I did this by collaging different fonts together to spell out lyrics from the 1950's decade that I felt showed the conflict between youth culture and society. To create tension in my work, I used both a mixture of different sized fonts and caps lock letters; I feel this was effective because although the fonts look youthful I feel that the image has been blocked out, showing that youth's voices were not taken into account in society at the time, causing unrest to form between subcultures in the social normality/standards of the older generation.
I tried to apply text laterally through the use of materials to show unrest; I felt that the most successful material was melted wax as I was able to etch a message into this medium and I liked the way the colours blended together due to the metaphoric use of sickness in society as it makes the viewer queasy. I used metal to symbolise the sharpness of society.
I went on to develop this technique using collage to rearrange a narrative by spelling out a sentence to show unrest. I feel that image presents unrest both literally and laterally and showed my own opinion of politics affecting subculture, giving it deeper thought.
overall, I feel that Stefan Sagmister has influenced me to create a deeper purpose into my work, but has morphed my imagery from the message to become darker as a result.
I tried to apply text laterally through the use of materials to show unrest; I felt that the most successful material was melted wax as I was able to etch a message into this medium and I liked the way the colours blended together due to the metaphoric use of sickness in society as it makes the viewer queasy. I used metal to symbolise the sharpness of society.
I went on to develop this technique using collage to rearrange a narrative by spelling out a sentence to show unrest. I feel that image presents unrest both literally and laterally and showed my own opinion of politics affecting subculture, giving it deeper thought.
overall, I feel that Stefan Sagmister has influenced me to create a deeper purpose into my work, but has morphed my imagery from the message to become darker as a result.