Che Guevara (Journal 9)

I had always seen Che Guevara's famous poster everywhere from the internet to t-shirts. I wanted to know who this guy was.

Elena Serrano was the designer for Che's famous poster.

Che Guevara's real name was Ernesto Guevara he was born on June 14th, 1928 in Rosario Argentina. He studied medicine at the University of Buenos Aires. He traveled South America observing the living conditions. He then met Fidel Castro in 1954, this was when he helped Castro overturn the Cuban government. Guevara became in charge of a prison in Cuba and had 156-550 people executed. He tried to get people in Bolivia to rebel but he wasn't successful. Guevara was captured and killed in La Higuera by the Bolivian Army in 1967.

Che Guevara actually became a legendary political figure, his name is synonymous  with rebellion, revolution, and socialism. Although these all sound like passionate beliefs, he could still be ruthless having prisoners executed without trial in Cuba.

It makes you think if he was a revolutionary or a sinister being with militant thoughts. Which brings my Journal to an end. I found this weeks reading fairly interesting and learned a lot about recent history of graphic design. I find the more recent history to be more interesting than the history from cave painting days.

References:
http://www.biography.com/people/che-guevara-9322774
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara

Cave Paintings, Posters, Maps, Globes, Mapquest, Google (Journal 7)

Astonishing, that we can progress from simple cave paintings to something as complex as Google Maps, which can find your location, give an accurate geographic location, and give you directions to your next location. Google maps is more than just a map. I did some exploring into the application and it turns out you can check weather, local webcams, videos, pictures, and wikipedia links! It's almost endless, you can get directions for driving, walking, or public transportation.

Although Harry Beck wasn't the first map maker he was an innovator. Beck wasn't concerned with geographic accuracy but with the user friendly-ness of the map itself. Getting people to where they need to go with an easy to comprehend diagram/map.

Beck-type maps are used even today in every part of the world. Most subways, bus routes,and trains use a similar type of diagram. (see below)

Planning a trip couldn't be any easier!

Surrealism Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali was a Spanish surrealist artist. He has many recognizable pieces like "The Persistence of Memory" (right) Surrealism was very influential in most of the graphic design we have today.










As I see it this form of design has been used in movies, books, video games, and posters. Many artists on deviant art create surrealistic art. Also movies like "Up" and "Alice In Wonderland" were very surreal. Surrealism was a well put together combination of fact and fantasy. Video games like "Soul Reaver" and "Kingdom Hearts" were perfect examples as such.

I believe graphic design would be far different without surrealism, it plays an important role within the realm of graphic design. The Dada movement also had an important role because this is what Surrealism was influenced by. This enveloped different political ideas, and philosophies.

Take a look at modern day Surrealism...