For this exercise I chose to research the 50s as it’s a decade I feel connected to. I used the internet and things I saw personally as material.
People and clothes
Architecture and Interior
Design
Transport and Engineering
Pop Culture
After this I had to create an illustration using the reference photos of 2 people on a street corner. The image also had to show elements of my chosen time period, the 50s.
I think that the idea behind this image was better than the result. I like the chiaroscuro effect created in the image. I have used light to draw attention to some areas. This is used to highlight different aspects of the 50s hiding within the picture. I took inspiration from Britain and the USA as I believe that this creates a better representation of the influence America has had over culture. I think the the style of the image shows an influence from Mary Blair after a past exercise.
Here are a couple other layouts I thought of, before choosing the one above:
The idea behind this one was that a long Highstreet continued down a hill and that you could continue to see it off in the distance. I felt that this looked too long and didn’t create an attractive picture as there wouldn’t be a lot in most of the image.
I didn’t like this one either. I didn’t feel that I could fit enough in the image to meet the breif.
50s from a visual perspective:
The 50s was overtaken by bright pastel colours. The era tried to hide any signs of the war that had just ended. Chic, glamourous clothing and bright, joyful imagery was used to gloss over the tragedies caused by the past 6 years. This was also a time of new technology, which could be seen everywhere. Enviable celebrities were all over the place, whether on tv, on the street or on the big screen. Luminescent signs could be seen on the streets. Golden haired beauties were in abundance. There were buildings inspired by space and cars that were sleek and beautiful.
Although there were many bright and wonderful things about the 50s there was also the flip side where the war had created panic and anxiety. There was still suspicion of spies and communists roaming the streets as evidenced by the blacklisting of suspected communists, Like Harry Trumbo and Arthur Miller, who had to appear in court to defend themselves. The remains of bomb shelters could be seen and advertising was used as a way to frighten and influence. Drab colours were used to inspire negative emotions and garner anger amongst the masses. Misogynistic and racist imagery could also be seen around in magazines and on TV.
Illustration log 