Week 2: Ideas & Sketches – Still Ideating

At this point, my project was still going in a different direction. My plan for my thesis is to explore the connections between pictograms across history. This idea would be aiming to explore the connection in between the visual languages throughout history. It may also cover how these pictorial symbols have been used to transcend traditional language and serve as a universally understood one. This would be through an imaginary exhibit based around the history of pictograms. These could range from cave paintings – to today's emojis, original and possibly AI generated mashup versions (for example Apple AI, and the Emoji Kitchen.)

Form and Medium:

The format this project will take would be mixed. It will be partly identity design, as there would be the design work relevant to the exhibition itself. For example, a pamphlet/brochure of some sort to tour one through the exhibit and its items, as well as merchandise for the exhibit.

There could also be a magazine, or booklet covering the same topics as the imaginary exhibition would. It would also include online essays/sources on the topic of pictographic influences over time. There could also be a section on the impact of AI (like emoji-bashing for more personalized visualizations).

Finally, there would also be ads for the exhibition. A range of media like billboards/poster(s), banners, transportation ads etc. Phone ads for social media and possibly animated posters as well. In this situation, the multiple access points to content would be…

➔ The installation as a whole (although it’s not real).

◆ Identity design…

◆ Flyers/walkthrough paper to lead you through it.

◆ The branding related to it.

◆ Advertisements (billboards, posters, flyers, etc.).

➔ The magazine/booklet covering the exhibition (and additional content (articles,

journal writings, etc.)

Self Directed Questions:

Post 5-10 self-directed questions about what you want to learn from your thesis project...

1. How deep the history on this topic goes… like, when were the first recorded visuals that could be considered emojis/pictograms?

2. How do these visuals connect historically?

3. What effect did these have on the people (communication-wise)?

4. How have/do these pictograms bring people together?

5. Is the way that they are used today significantly different from the ways they were used in the past?

6. What was the most interesting thing you learned throughout this project?

Outline — Plan of Attack:

• Research 1:

  • Specifically into the history of visual symbols/pictograms.

  • Narrow down on the symbols I want to include.

    • A decent balance in between some earlier ones and the more recent ones (digital).

    • Maybe skewed a bit more digital as well to show how that kind of communication is still extremely useful today.

• Research 2:

  • This research is about how these connected people throughout the relevant time periods.

  • effects had on society/cultures.

  • More about how visual languages & pictograms have an opportunity to be a universal language.

  • Sketching / Mood boarding / Mind mapping

  • Sketching out ideas for layout, flyers, general style, etc.

• Figuring out how all of these things will mesh together to form a cohesive final product.

  • Typefaces, colors, style, etc.

  • Redo the original mind map with all of these things in mind to see what else it may bring up + just general expansion.

• Beginning Actualization:

  • Preparing the written bits.

  • Deciding upon a mix of quotes, and written information about the relevant topics to get a decent understanding of the topic for the exhibit/booklet.

• Graphic Creation

• Making the relevant graphics for the exhibition…

• Signage, advertisements, potentially placards… etc.

• The booklet versions of graphics + figuring out how they meld with the imagined exhibit.

• Continued Actualization:

  • Re-consider appearance, sensibilities, If the target goal is being met.

  • Review as you go on.

  • Finalized Steps:

  • Put everything together in a cohesive form.

  • Prepare a presentable version of it.

• Compare it to the original goals – research for the project + review.

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Visual Research

There is more that I can & will add from my board of saved imagery, but this is the

general idea of what’s going on in there. In the imagery below, you can see a mix of

typefaces, other identity design project, and different kinds of visual languages.