Typography: Samizdat

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What is a samizdat?

A samizdat is a type of publication, much like a zine, that was used predominantly in communist Russia and its surrounding territories to spread information that the author thought was important. It particularly contained information that could be seen as controversial by the government at that time.

Intention for Project

For the final project for the typography class, we had to create a samizdat about a topic we particularly cared about. I decided to focus on the multiple mass genocides that the Late Ottoman/ Early Turkish government has been covering up and ignoring for the last 100 years.

I chose this topic because of my family connection to the genocides (my great-grandfather was a survivor) and the fact that many of the early samizdats were about human rights.

Thought Process

When coming up with the design, I really wanted to focus on making the samizdat look handmade and unpolished. That eventually developed into trying to recreate a sense of grunge design.

Another major part of the aesthetics of the piece was to poke fun at the Turkish government and comment how ridiculous it is to continually ignore their own actions. In a way, I wanted the samizdat to be like a political cartoon. However, it was extremely important to me not to make the images of the survivors and victims into something humorous.

Despite the difficulties these specific details caused, I think I created a really solid piece that has a lot of emotion and information in it.

Programs

Indesign

Photoshop

Image Pack

Indieground Ransom Note Letters Pack

Resources

I got most of my information from these sites:

https://www.greek-genocide.net/index.php

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56874811

The Greek Genocide and Extermination of Pontic Greeks

https://www.armenian-genocide.org/genocide.html

https://www.britannica.com/event/Armenian-Genocide

Official Recognition of the Assyrian Genocide Has Only Begun Lately

Motion Graphics: Countdown

Illustration: Animated Illustration

Final Animations

This animation reflects on the concept that failure is part of the process when trying to make a family recipe fit for you. It’s going to be perfect from the get go and that’s okay!

When trying to record the recipe of a family recipe, you must realize it is part recipe and part family. Focusing on simply one or another is not going to produce and outcome you want.

When you cook a family recipe, it reinvigorates the ghost of your family. You are keeping your heritage alive.

Podcast

Carrying On A Family Recipe, In Your Own Way

https://www.npr.org/2020/11/11/933796991/carrying-on-a-family-recipe-in-your-own-way

Process

Initial Concepts

Advanced Modeling: Product/Advertisement

Final Result

Bassett’s Allsorts Licorice candy

Alternative Design

Reference Images

Advanced Modeling: Photorealistic Interior

Finished Render

Advanced Animation: Flow

Final Animation

Original Sketches

Caricature

 

Brief

1. Project Name: Caricature
2. 1. How is the project in keeping with the course outcomes?
3. 1. 1. The caricature keeps in line with the course outcome by having us both study the form of ourselves, and use our artistic licensing to exaggerate certain parts.
4. 1. How will this project be in keeping with the PSLOs?
5. 1. 1. This project makes us as students use our knowledge of figure drawing and learn how to adjust and exaggerate different aspects to create a caricature. This helps us still keep in mind how the human body works while using creative arts styles.
6. Project Summary
7. 1. You are to research, reflect, and design a caricature of yourself. 
8. 1. Design Process: 1) initial written response of your idea you want to communicate (Tone, Message and Style) and initial half-size sketches of images, 2) research of other Caricature artists, 3) readdressed rough draft with enriched ideas, 4) refined idea as to what you want to achieve,  5) refined full-size rough draft, 6) feed back from others on 2^nd or 3^rd rough draft, 7) tweaking of final image to be submitted and final product, presentation, and a written response to the critique of your work.
9. 1. Design Process is shown: idea generation written and initial sketches, research of related projects.
10. 1. A written response to critique, design language to illustrate artistic choices, how it fits with course outcomes and the PSLOs you expanded upon and your growth as an artist noted citing specific examples.
11. 1. Project parameters: two images: 11”X 14”, mediums:  ink (pen) and one digital, software: Illustrator or Photoshop.
12. Objective
13. 1. To create a caricature of myself using other caricature artists as inspiration for the style. This must be inked on an 11″x14″ piece of bristol board and colored digitally and printed on 11″x14″ paper. When determining my success, I would say that a caricature that has both good craftsmanship and expresses a sense of fun energy would be a successful caricature.
14. Target Audience
15. 1. Alfred State College, classmates, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and faculty.
16. List of Deliverables
17. 1. Brief
18. 1. Documented MLA
19. 1. Design Process recorded (with all rough drafts)
20. 1. Link to file pertinent to this image
21. 1. Final images and detail of final images
22. 1. Write up
23. 1. All on WordPress before the critique
24. Competition Identified
25. 1. For my caricature, I would like it to be reminiscent of ones from ones created by street artists and Mort Drucker, the illustrator of MAD Magazine. To do this, I need to exaggerate certain features. This I generally ones that are more iconic to my person, like my mouth since I am quite the talker.
26. Details of Tone, Message and Style
27. 1. I, myself, am a very fun and quirky person. Since this is a caricature of myself, I wanted to create a caricature that is just as fun and quirky as myself. This is why I chose Mort Drucker’s art style as an inspiration for me.
28. Time Line
29. 1. 30 January- Preliminary Sketches due
30. 1. 4 February- Both inked and colored illustrations due, brief and project summary
31. Budget
32. 1. Time- 10 hours
33. 1. Materials- Bristol Board, Micron, Photoshop
34. 1. Grade- A
35. Key Stake Holders
36. 1. Alejandro
37. 1. Jacob
38. 1. Max

Project Summary

For the caricature, I had to create a self-portrait that was inspired by at least one famous caricature artist. Since I consider myself someone who has a fun and energetic personality, I went towards Mort Drucker’s art style. Mort Drucker is most famously known for satirical illustrations in MAD Magazine. The style is similar to those from street artists, where the characters look a lot like the people they are based on but certain characteristics are exaggerated.

Once set on Mort Drucker’s style, I began to do some preliminary sketches. Most of the sketches were just of my head, however, I decided in the end to do my full body. I wanted a really stereotypical 90s pose, so I ended up using either Mary-Kate or Ashley (the image I used did not indicate which one) as a reference. I think that and the photo I took of myself created a really fun and entertaining end product.

When it came to the materials, I had to use 11″x14″ Bristol board with ink. Originally, I was going to use my dip pen and black ink. However, I soon learned that my ink had dried shut and I could not use it. I instead used my 05 black micron. I then took the finished inked piece into Photoshop to color it. Overall I think that the end product came out very well, however, I do wish my dip pen could have worked because I think it would have created more lively lines.

The end product is quite nice. The tone I was aiming for is displayed, the line work is solid, the coloring is consistent, and the caricature looks like an exaggerated version of myself.

Preliminary Sketches and Basic Line Art

Photo References

 

“How To Wear ’90s Trends The RIGHT Way”, Refinery29. Alyssa Cosarelli. Refiner29. 30 June 2015. https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/how-to-wear-90s-trends.

Illustration.Blogspot. Mort Drucker.http://illustrationart.blogspot.com/2005/04/mort-drucker.html.

 

Final Project (Mixed Media Project)