Illustrating with Words: Paula Scher

In the HIllman Curtis video on artist Paula Scher, she discuss how she develops her ideas very quickly. To me, I think this ability is very special. Not everyone can think of the perfect design right on the spot. For example she discusses how she was able to come up with the design for the Citi Bank logo by the end of the meeting. I found this very surprising. Paula Scher and her talent for coming up with a successful idea in a matter of minutes is worth commending.

Another part of this video that I found interesting was about the advice she received about "illustrating with words". I believe that this advice has become her philosophy on design. Her job is to make advertisements and words eye catching and in her case, drawings aren't always the most successful. So by illustrating with words, her designs can be the most attractive and get the most attention from society. Illustrating with words allows her to create images and still getting information out to her audience. Her "illustrations" are very appealing and has lead to much success for the Public Theater for example and also the Citi Bank logo is a very recognizable one in today's society.

Defining Design, Culture, and Language

Defining the terms design, culture and language is a difficult thing to do because these words mean many different things to different people. Here's how I define the terms.

Design: taking an idea that we see in our minds and presenting it visually.

Culture: the ideas and beliefs that surround us everyday.

Language: the words that society uses to convey ideas and beliefs and thoughts.

Design, Culture and Language are all intertwined together. Each one influences the other. Often times certain slang that people use in their communities are a product and are developed within a particular culture. Culture influences design. A structure with modern influences probably wouldn't fit well in a historic neighborhood of Philadelphia, for instance. The culture doesn't reflect this.

Design, Culture, and Language our everywhere in our society, and they all have an effect on and reflect one another.

Here's an example of how culture influences design:

The Sydney Opera House is influenced by the beachside culture of Australia. The design of the Opera House is intended to resemble a shell.