Week Six - Interpreting messages and Enhancing Communication

Interpretation- illustrators/Creatives select and use a ‘zeitgeist’ to interpret the message.

To explain this principle I will be using the example of Batman and how this superhero evolved from a character in a comic book to such a hugely popular movie The Dark Knight. Batman started out as a comic strip in a magazine in the year 1943. He represented an icon of heroism. In the early times he represented the expression of the general American society giving its readers the unique psychological challenges faced by the post modern mind.

The post Depression years of the 1930s was a period when famous criminals enjoyed an almost hero-like status as men who made something of themselves during the hard times. As the national mood began to change and the law finally began to crack down on crime, the heroes became those who fought crime rather than those who committed it. That is when in 1938 Bob Kane created the character of Batman.

1930s

In its early years Batman was introduced as having a holster and a gun beneath his suit, but he was never shown using it as those at DC comics did not want it to have a negative effect on its young readers. However, it has changed dramatically with pop culture. At first, his suit was used to accommodate the items of his detective trade from the fifties to the seventies with changed into a more advanced version of changing into armour in the eighties. Reflecting the state-of-the-art equipment in this ‘information age’ has dramatically changed his costume to a technologically advanced version in this day and age.

1940

Even the Gotham city was a representation of the ‘postmodern condition’ reflecting a dark city full of malice and evil. The time demanded that the ‘dark, brooding’ nature of batman be lightened up and so in 1940 Robin was introduced as his sidekick. During the war Batman served in helping the war effort and also served as a much need escape for the readers. The fifties brought a  time of general intolerance for non conformity and difference, accusing these comics to be leading the children astray and promoting the fact that Batman and Robin were gay. This resulted in the fact that in 1955 the golden age of comics was over.

1960s

By the 1960s pop art culture was on the rise and Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein were using comic book art to use in their works. No in this day and age audiences want the Tim Burtons version of a dark brooding Batman, portraying the now, more aware version of America with its conception of society and its perceptions of law.

What platforms have been used by Illustrators/Creative’s to enhance communication?

Illustrators have to use a variety of platforms if they want to enhance their work in the more open markets. They use platforms such as editorial including magazines, book covers, in advertising and also in fashion and textile. On a larger scale, advertising can include billboards which give the biggest platform for an illustrator to showcase their work.

Catalina Estrada

Catalina Estrada, a freelance graphic designer, who does illustrations inspired by Latin-American folk-art, making intensive use of tropical vegetation and animals. She makes fascinating works bursting with colors and enchanting characters. Some of her clients include Coca-Cola, Microsoft Zune, Nike and Chronicle books, to name a few.

Her work has been portrayed on a number of platforms. Her designs are now available in the form of iPhone and laptop skins, stationery, cushion covers, umbrellas, travel bags and helmets. She has created the design for this limited edition bottle of Coca-Cola for Easter which was distributed in Australia. This is a huge opportunity for her to get her work noticed.

Not only has her work been published freelance but she has also worked in fashion to create stylish totes, bags and textiles for dresses, working with designers such as Paul Smith, Marks and Spencer and Brazilian label Anunciacao.  This has given her the opportunity to be recognized by the top brands, and also to expand her work to more foreign locations.