The Design Museum

Today I had the privilege of visiting the UC Davis Design Museum’s current exhibit, Typographic Explorations in Hangul. I was completely blown away by the talent expressed by the artists in each piece. Art pieces ranged from single words constructed into art, to pieces where the words were the art. The collection featured pieces from Hangul. All pieces were done in native text, which also heightened the interest of the pieces. One particular design that I considered to be very strong included Dream of a Swan, by Pil Choo, 2009. The image was a digital print, printed on cotton canvas. The print included typography formed in the shape of a swan. It was limited in color but was a stunning piece altogether. Though the exhibit had a lot of different pieces to offer, perhaps my most favorite was a piece done by Hyuhj Lee, entitled Formation and Emotional Impact of Hangul. From the color, to the typographic elements, every part of the piece contributed to its overall flow. It was truly a sight to see. The overall presentation of the exhibit showcased each individual piece. The pieces were arranged by different media elements. Work done on canvas opened the exhibit, followed by handmade paper pieces, and finished up with mixed media images. The presentation of the exhibit helped to highlight the hard work put in by the each individual designer.

It is always amazing to see the different interpretations of design. For these artist, they put their visions and designs into word art, which is a very different way of approaching design. The pieces created by Hyuhj Lee was a piece which demonstrated a clear picture of his design and vision, but through the use of typography. He used words to symbolize different parts, rather than using words to tell a story. The detailing of each letter acted as a vital part to his overall design process. It is interesting to see all of the different forms of design which are present in our society. It is through these designs, that our world can be considered a unique and creative atmosphere.