ART 2370 HISTORY OF DESIGN 
CAL STATE LA 
Fall 24


WED 6:00PM—8:45PM
FA 321

ASSIGNMENT 03


DESIGN

Industry and the Indies: Avant Garde motion graphics

Earthquakes, Mudslides, Fires & Riots: California & Graphic Design by Louis Sanshaus.


PURPOSE
The purpose of this assignment is for you to learn about the history of motion graphics in Southern California and to think critically about the style and methods used by designers to create groundbreaking work.

“If you want to make motion graphics, there’s no better place to be than Southern California. An abundance of space, beautiful light and weather, and a host of movie studios, production companies, TV stations, and advertising agencies make it the top choice for anyone moving from the East Coast or even Europe.” 
Michael Worthington
LEARNING POINTS
You will learn about when and where motion graphics developed, who were the big players and which practices were at play. We come together to discover the moving parts in the world of motion graphics in a fun and engaging manner. 

TASK
In groups of two, complete the reading on your motion graphic designer and present the following on Wed, 10/02:
  • Share the video from your reading (2mins).
  • The reading tells a story about the artist that may include their creative philosophy or approach to making motion graphics, methods/tools used to produce work, social or historical context in which the artist was making work, and influence on culture. Please share this story with the class (2 mins).
  • All students in the class came together to share knowledge on seven design movements in Assignment 01: Bauhaus and New Typography, The International Typographic Style, Corporate Identity and Visual systems, The Conceptual Image, Postmodern Design, National Visions with a Global Dialogue, The Digital Revolution. Can you look back at these movements to find similarities or connections between the graphic style of work displayed in the video and work of one designer from any of the chapters from Assignment 01? Please talk about these connection with an image example (1 min).

Come prepared for a 5 minute presentation for the next class.

Industry and the Indies
  • Oskar Fischinger, Allegretto
  • Harry Smith, Film #5: Circular Tensions (homage to Oskar Fischinger)
  • Saul Bass, The Frank Sinatra Show titles
  • Eames office, Glimpses of the USA
  • Eames office, Kaleidoscope jazz chair
  • Elias Romero, Stepping Stones
  • Elaine Bass and Saul bass, Seconds Title sequence
  • Robert Abel and Richard Taylor, 7UP Bubbles commercial
  • Chris Blum and Heidi Endemann, Levi's Evolution commercial
  • Phil Norman, Wonder Woman titles
  • Dan Perri, Taxi Driver titles
  • Robert Abel and Cod Pederson, Berger Paint TV Commercial 
  • Pablo Ferro, Citizens Band titles
  • David Theurer, Tempest, Atari Arcade Video Game
  • Robert Abel, Syed Mead, Kenneth Mirman, and Richard Taylor, Tron
  • Barbara Fairbrother Singh and Franz X. Lanzinger, Crystal Castles, Atari Arcade video games
  • David Theurer, I, Robot, Atari Arcade video game


READINGS ON CANVAS
Each group has to complete two readings - Motions graphics pdf and the page about your motion designer from Industry and the Indies pdf. ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE MOTION GRAPHICS READING, in addition to their assigned designer reading. Check Canvas Module SEP 25 for the readings.


DUE 10/02
5% of final grade 

Grading Criteria
Learn about the history of motion graphics in Southern California. Recognize motion graphic designers and differenciate between the style and methods used by them to create groundbreaking work.

Visual and verbal responses to the works and theories of designers and their influence on culture.

Draw comparisons between the graphic motion work from Southern California (30s-80s) to the international design culture (30s-contemporary) learned about in previous assignments.

You will learn about historical and contemporary design work and creative culture. It is a good idea to think about how your own visual interests, approaches, and perspective are influenced by the pluralistic and interdisciplinary dimensions of design. 



←