Project #1: The Postcard

Our first assignment was a bit of a daunting one for me. I found it a challenge to start training my brain to think another way. We were given a very broad topic and instructed to pick an object based on it. The object we choose was to follow us the ENTIRE semester in ALL of our projects. We then needed to make a postcard that would translate the essence of our object to the receiver. Heavy stuff, so I figured I needed to choose my object wisely. My topic was "printed media" and immediately the idea of graffiti popped in my head. I don't know why, but it literally was the first thing- specifically a picture I took while in NYC a few years ago. The photo is a graffiti tribute to the legendary artist Fernando Carlo, tag name "Cope".

Harlem, NYC

My thought process to get to this inspiration image was this: All printed images start with a template or stencil---------> the stencil is always the same but the way the image is manipulated can change-----------> the stencil allows you to replicate a work quickly------------> some graffiti artists use stencils to quickly reproduce their work in the streets------------> so my project would be a piece of graffiti, using a stencil, based on my picture. I had this image in my head and I had to find a way to make it work (my first lesson to learn).

I used black card stock and colored pencils to do my postcard. I wanted to do my take on the picture I took of the graffiti. The stencil I used was my handy dandy triangle (I was pressed for time and it was the only stencil I had in my possession at the time!).  So the triangle remained the same I just manipulated how it was on the page. I was pretty happy with my work but once we had our critiques I did see its shortcomings.

Postcard Assignment

It didn't translate the essence of the object. It leaves the viewer wondering what the actual object is. My idea was too conceptual and had competing ideas. In hindsight, I totally agree. I was so stuck on my idea and making it work vs. really focusing on the translation and understanding the essence of my object.  I was thinking too abstract when I needed to be more literal. So I was forced to go back to the drawing board for the next assignment with this phrase stuck in my head, Keep It Simple Stupid............

Posted in: Postcard Assignment