A Brainful of Diagrams

MA Graphic Communication Design | Central Saint Martins 2022

artist's book Bookdesign csm diagram graphicdesign London magcd printdesign storytelling UAL

UAL Graduate Showcase: https://graduateshowcase.arts.ac.uk/project/347000/cover

description

How can a diagram be used as a graphic communication tool to explore a topic and/or tell a story?

Exploring the diagrammatic language and its use, with emphasis on its potential to form narratives while investigating the brain and how thoughts are developing. A visual study on diagram elements as facts versus interpretation, clarity versus ambiguity, and subjectivity versus objectivity. A journey through shapes, lines and arrows.

A Brainful of Diagrams takes the form of an artist’s book, cataloging a series of experiments that record my own perception and ideas around the topic. A collection of printed media that challenges the reader to interact with; observe, analyse, think, and shape their own interpretations.

How are our brains and eyes trained to approach graphic elements and connect/create patterns in order to come up with an interpretation?

What contextualises the project is the brain itself and how its complexity can be explored through a graphic communication lens. A journey where the brain is being transformed, taking new dimensions; revealing how can be visualised through simple dia[grammatic] elements. Creating spaces and experiences through diagrams, text, and images.

A Brainful of Diagrams takes an alternate form, treated not only as a medium to explore and record my own concerns around the topic, but it also challenges the reader to go through the different parts; explore, wonder and form their own stories.

I am introducing the artist’s book as a medium that allows a collection of various printed media to be packed together, offering to the reader an engaging experience. The artist’s book, when packed (105mm x 148mm), takes the form of a stack, visualising the brain that holds a huge amount of information/thoughts, stacked one over the other, that can then be unfolded and studied. Targeting an audience that is passionate about printing and book production, the artwork is made to be displayed as a one-of-a-kind book, in part of an exhibition.

Contents

the most meaning-less, subject-less, structure-less, point-less story

How can a narrative be communicated using simple dia[grammatic] elements? A story developed based on random thoughts, using shapes, lines, arrows and words, that altogether create the most meaning-less story. Or not?

Book specifications: A6 size, 52 pages. Digital printing (b&w) on Redeem Natural White 100gsm paper. Saddle stitch binding.

Digital Edition: https://issuu.com/panayiandreas/docs/the-most-meaningless-story

One-page book with diagrams

A piece of paper that the reader is asked to unfold, go through and form their own narratives. Although there is not a specific context here (no text), the reader will most probably relate this sequence of diagrams with the other printed media.

Specifications: A4 page, folded two times. Digital printing (b&w) on white laid textured 90gsm paper.

A series of cards

All five cards are created based on all the other printed media of the artist's book. Creating patterns, summing up information, connecting stories, etc.

Specifications: A6 size. Digital printing (b&w) on different types of paper (colours, textures, weights).

Thoughts Recording

Recording and visualising my thoughts, for two weeks, using only circles.

System: Each page = One day. One hole = One thought. Size of the hole = Duration and Intensity of the thought. Position on the page = How positive or negative the thought is.

Specifications: A8 one-page concertina book (A4 when unfolded). Digital printing (b&w) on off-white recycled 90gsm paper.

Brain Transformation

What happens when the brain takes the form of a simple circle, and how it affects and is being affected by its surrounding elements?

A visual study that uses diagrammatic illustrations to explore and communicate brain functions through a graphic communication lens. A diagrammatic journey where the brain is being transformed, taking new dimensions; revealing how it is divided, how thoughts are developing, etc. How its complexity can be investigated and communicated through simple black elements such as shapes, lines and arrows?

All 50 cards are numbered based on a specific order, framing a narrative. However, each one can work individually. What new narratives can occur when re-arranging the cards?

Specifications: A6 size, 50 cards (+ description). Digital printing (b&w) on Snowdon Cartridge 300gsm paper. + Case: 350gsm black card.

Digital Version: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VhO4Z1nxJqsi5ech9Qdw8DfYV4jaAUD_/view

Thinking through Photography

Visualising, from my own perspective, how the brain functions through a series of photographs. The main elements of the photographs used are shapes and lines, common elements that diagrams use.

The purpose of this publication is to create a contrast between all the rest of the printed media that use only diagrams. This will challenge the readers to compare the diagrams with the photographs, patterns and textures, creating relationships and new stories.

This publication is unbounded, meaning that the sequence of the pages/photographs can be rearranged, forming new visual narratives.

Specifications: Unbounded A5 book. Digital printing (b&w) on off-white recycled 90gsm paper.

Digital Edition: https://issuu.com/panayiandreas/docs/thinking-through-photography

Poster

The poster visualises a brain study using diagrams from the above cards (Brain Transformation).

Poster Specifications: A7 one-page book that unfolds into an A4 poster. Digital printing (b&w) on white 100gsm textured paper.

Research and Process

A series of experiments

- Balance between clarity and ambiguity.

- Balance between elements as facts vs interpretation.

- Balance between objectivity and subjectivity.

Experimenting with types of printing, paper, binding, etc. Important design decisions that play a significant role in how a composition is communicated and how the reader perceives each piece of information.

More about the process and the early experiments of the project can be seen in this visual essay: https://vimeo.com/557308599

Experiment 1

Visualising a poem from the collection ‘Poems on the underground‘ through different types of diagrams. Which type is the most successful?

The aim of the compositions is to challenge the thinking/imagination of the viewer. They can be interpreted in various ways but they still have a piece of text that are based on.

Experiment 2

Strolling Around is a newspaper developed based on a poem written by me while walking in my neighbourhood. Unfolding the newspaper, going through the visual story, interpreting new narratives. The diagrams are affected by the foldings (form follows function).

Using a piece of text as a source that the diagrammatic illustrations and visual compositions are based on. The sequence of diagrams is part of a printed newspaper that challenges the reader's imagination. It can be interpreted in various ways but it still has one story that is based on.

Specifications: Newspaper size (unfolded into poster): 700mm x 500mm - Final newspaper size (folded three times): 175mm x 250mm. Ideal paper: 55gsm newsprint paper [This paper will embrace the city vibe (motion, distribution, activity).]