Biblion:Frankenstein critique

These views of Biblion: Frankenstein, an iPad app from New York Public Library is showcased in the March/April 2013 issue of Communication Arts Interactive Annual 19.

The logo of Biblion is only on a few of the pages while a balance between imagery and type is achieved in the main content by either placing the image to one side of the text or above and in one case centered with text in both the upper right and lower left corners.   One view choose not to use type but instead uses a apparently endless spiral of indistinct whose specific identity is left up to the user but whose context is the images from the various stories that are in Biblion: Frankenstein.

The same spiral is used to link this view with the last one that has the spiral minus the images but with writing in the corners.  Through its images it is linked to the other views tying all the views together in a group unity that reveals the theme of a library full of stories.

The black background of the views gives Biblion: Frankenstein a elegant classical feeling which also goes with the choice of images in the various views.

Graphics of Records

The graphic design on these records was of quality refined enough to be published by the Graphics Design Annual which is may or may not have been since I seemed to have conflicting information.  I also have a note for New Packaging Design 2009. I did obtain it from the Parkland Library but I did not check to see if I was given the book I was asking for.

Both record covers are definitely internally unified as well as having a certain unity between them.  They have a simple color palate and are both innovative, trendy, and somewhat remind me of the Beetles Yellow Submarine movie of 1968.   Contrast is maintained by using darker shades or somewhat lighter backgrounds as different sizes of similar objects. 

Website Graphics

I obtained this image of the Architectural Woodwork Industries website from Graphics 100 Best in Design 2012.   It stops the motion in order to reveal this energetic but orderly environment in still motion.   Pictured in this work are five page views from the website that show a unity of design that concentrates on showing of the product of AWI

The top right and middle view rely on one image to make their point and each has a fairly high degree of contrast.   The bottom left also uses a single image and skylines the building though the trees in front seem somewhat distracting.  The top left view is a mixture of text and an image that seems to emphasize the image over the text as if espousing the adage that a single image is worth a thousand words.  The last view uses several more ordinary images as the emphases is given to the text.  The headers are repeated on each view with different links active and the background is a darker translucent or completely transparent depending on the content of the page being viewed.  The footers when they are shown follow the same general pattern.   This achieves the goal of unifying them with the content and connecting the logo to the product and information displayed.

Ad Graphics

This graphics design image is from the Art Directors' Club Annual 90.  It is a 2012 published design work done to appeal to a certain customer base.  It uses design to evoke humor as well as to emphasize the effectiveness of the Tip-ex product.

The design of elements is simple relying on its chosen audiences familiarity with YouTube to make the overall design successful.  It overlapped images, using the video's dominating presence and the product's ad placement to introduce Tip-ex into the whole and making the story about it instead of about the angry bear and the hunter. 

The actual add is interactive and is still available.