Absoluteness In Graphic Design | Pratt Institute School of Design

Visual communication design is often obsessed with constructing fantasy worlds. Based on the visual thinking mode of modern society, the sense of reality that images can give is gradually weakened. When the designer not only wants to create a fantasy world for the audience, but also tries hard to put the audience in an inherent framework, it tells the audience directly “what I am doing”. It is difficult to say whether the quality of the design work is not satisfactory. Designers use straightforward, mediocre, and superficial visual language and text to output the content to readers. And the audience receives directly what the designer wants to convey. But is there really only one mode, a means of communication between the designer and the audience, which is “I tell you, and you listen to me”? Designers can learn a lot from absolute music. Designers can create infinite possibilities for the audience to imagine, instead of limiting the audience’s thinking. Today, designers need to use design elements smarter, and they also need to trust their audiences to “imagine” and “feel” the beauty behind their designs.

Thesis book of Absoluteness

Thesis Capstone 01

Experimental Design 1: Based on my understanding of the absolute concept, I created a simple dynamic graphic composed of lines. Because of its simple composition and without too many elements, I did not put too much emotion into it when creating it and ideas. When the audience sees it, it can give the work as many audience feelings as possible. But this is lacking. The author's as little expression as possible leads to the audience's understanding of the work being limited to the audience themselves, and the lack of interaction with the author.

Thesis Capstone 03

Experimental Design 3: In the third capstone, I added more decorative elements. It has both blurred effects and rich and varied colors, it seems to be able to express my emotions more clearly. And the feedback from the audience is also in my expectation.

Thesis Capstone 04

Experimental Design 4: I have been thinking about how designers can communicate with audiences through their works. Should designers put themselves first, or hide themselves behind their works? How to make the audience think more, instead of unilaterally accepting design works? A work that adds too much embellishment will make the audience overthink, a work that says nothing will make the audience confused, and a work that talks too much will make the audience feel dull. How to open the door, let the audience walk into the design work, and how much gap should be left in the door are all issues that need to be explored.