The Chariot - Daggers


Source: myspace.com/thechariot


The Chariot, a modern rock band always
delivers fresh, original, innovative, and
exciting artistry with their explosive
music and videos. Their latest,
"Daggers" is no exception. The
integration of the band members with
stylized illustrations puts forth a truly
unique presentation of design and
creativity. The members of the band
are effectively portrayed in a giant form
of scale, and this accomplishes two
things: first, it emphasizes each
performer; and secondly, the members
are not "lost" in the chaotic progression
of this complex video. The color scheme
works extremely well as the muted
tones of the group blends with the
surrounding background images. This
allows the band to play off the overall
sepia-tone of the graphic imagery.
Additionally, small, intermittent flashes
of color engage and hold the viewer's
attention like tiny neon signs. The
video's plot also shows a logical
progression by portraying escalating
forms of attack, with a final "victory"
being had with nuclear means of
destruction. The assimilation of 3-D
figures with the overall 2-D imagery is
especially notable here providing a
unique contrast, while maintaining a
sense of depth as images appear in the
foreground and background in different
scales. This creative video truly fits The
Chariot's music, and their music fits their
artistry. One final note worth mentioning
is that this video also can stand alone
silently. Viewing it without sound causes
you to pick up on many more intracasies
that might be passed over the first time.

[ 365 & 36.5 COMMUNICATIONS ]
2005 Communication Design 601BISANG

Source: Parkland College Library

GraphisDesignAnnual2006



Through the use of what appears to
be layered microscope slides of
different organic specimens, a
unique and revolutionary art form
comes to life. Here in the February
('F) month portion of a calendar, an
imaginative creature is formed by
clever and artistic arrangement
using slide imageries. The use of
negative space causes complete
focus and attention to the main
subject with its seemingly
mischievous grin amidst its
gruesome exterior. Various forms
and structures are achieved
through different cell densities and
the layering thereof. This creates
value giving more realism to the
piece. The bizarre texture creates
a temperament or mood that feeds
off itself adding another dimension
of perception. Consistent with the
imagery is also the heading of the
month('F) with its typographic
style, as they maintain a strong
relationship with each other. The
text that appears at the upper left
(you open my eyes to my true
self), although inspirational,
nonetheless compliments and
exclaims what can be the "true
self" in this instance.

Will Crocker

Source: Parkland College Library

Workbook Photography vol.19



Collage artwork can oftentimes
require you to scrutinize it
repetitively, but the collective
images in this photograph
cause you to immediately
recognize a light bulb. The
use of strong, artistically
layered geometric elements
unite to portray an object that
is typically curved or spherical
itself. These same elements,
or fragments also add depth
and dimension quite
creatively here. Many of the
fragments are meshed directly
while others are purposely
offset from each other, all the
while keeping a perfect
balance. Negative space is
used, broken up, and reused
again through the different
layers. Especially notable is
the bulb's filament that
appears hot on one side and
cold on the other, creating a
unique focal point.
Additionally, the overall color
scheme reinforces the warmth
that one associates with an
incandescent bulb, and the
feelings it conveys.

Peter Morello

Source: Parkland College Library

Workbook Photography vol.19



Evoking a vintage image of a death
row inmate, this unusual
photograph by Peter Morello is at
once intriguing, expressive, and
compelling despite its dark
connotations. The subject is well
balanced in the picture in spite of
the deleterious blade hanging
closely by and framing the man's
right eye. It is in fact the exact
placement of the blade which
leaves the sublject's eye, ear, and
mouth visible that makes the
composition work so well.
Additionally, the seemingly black
and white portrayal is more deeply
enhanced through the use of sepia
toning giving another eerie
dimension of life into the
photograph. Light plays an
important role in the background,
as well as reflecting as
hourglass-shaped highlights off the
saw blade. Negative space works
dramatically well as your eyes
navigate from the subject's head
going down and around the blade.
The blade itself, albeit the main
focal point still does not overpower
the composition, but appears
unified with the subject. An
interesting feature is the twine that
suspends the blade. The
photographer undoubtedly included
this on purpose. I find myself quite
envious of this piece as this is the
style of compositional
photography/artwork I enjoy
engaging in the most.

Rolf
www.langleycreative.com

Source: Parkland College Library

Workbook Illustration vol.30
Langley creative



This illustration invites you to think quite
deeply about it while still portraying an
aesthetically pleasing and well-balanced
image. The monochromatic color
scheme is very effective causing you to
focus on the entire composition, being
interrupted only by the bright orange text.
The text here is what your eyes focus on
first. This is due largely to its
complimentary shade, as well as its
"out-of-place" setting in the illustration.
Seemingly inconsistent with the
composition's color scheme, it
nevertheless serves as an integral part to
the piece. Balance is effectively
achieved through the use of the centered
tree with its five limbs and hands, and
the well-placed trios of birds and
butterflies. The human figure is off-set by
the chainsaw-wielding animal, and leaves
one to speculate if the human is apathetic
and just resting, or is about to cover his
ears for what is about to ensue. Herein
lies the irony as an otherwise peaceful
setting of nature is juxtaposed with the
noise of a destructive tool. Why haven't
the birds and butterflies flown away?
Additionally, the use of negative space
works extremely well here to emphasize
all of the imagery in the illustration.
Repetition of the hands,limbs, birds, and
butterflies also create a strong attraction to
the entire composition. Elements that are
used here are quite simplistic, but they
combine to make a compelling and artistic
piece of work.

Dimitri Daniloff
Represented by Levine / Leavitt

Source: Parkland College Library

LURZER'S INT'L ARCHIVE Vol. 1 - 2009


The art of photo manipulation is readily
apparent and well done here in this
disturbing yet beautifully done image.
The subject is real, but implies
mannequin-like qualities. Plastic and
flesh are juxtaposed to create surrealism.
The fallen portion of face reveals a hollow
interior possibly suggesting the
shallowness of the figure, as well as
emphasizing plastic characteristics.
The only eye visible is the one on the
table, and this commands greater
concentration upon it since the right eye
has been shielded by the rich, black hair.
The exposed eye is also accented
dramatically with excessive make-up.
The entire subject is indeed that more
pronounced by being photographed on a
plain off-white background. Dark hair and
clothing also contrast dramatically here
with the pale subject causing you to focus
more intently on the face, hand, and eye.
With respect to balance, it has been
achieved well here as your eye moves
freely throughout the photo without being
trapped. This is reinforced through the
dual focal points of the broken face and
the missing piece prompting the viewer to
mentally desire to "repair" the malady.
Beauty may be only skin-deep, or in the
"eye" of the beholder, but it also can be
beautiful for its own sake.

BENCH

Photographer Jessica Triggs

Source: Art Directors Annual 87
Parkland College Library


Ambiguity and a gray-like atmosphere
combine to make this a compelling
image. The use of threes screams at
you in so many ways: three subjects,
three pairs of legs, three newspapers,
three organic heads; plus the division
of the whole picture into thirds. This
also includes the repetition of three
dark lines visible in the bottom grass,
the black pants, and the horizon, as
well as the lightness of the bare
ground, the newspapers, and the sky.
This in turn forms a loosely-based,
striped pattern. The main subjects
stand out not only because of their
eccentricity, but also because of the
simple landscape and clean back-
ground. The negative space
encompassing the trio also serves to
add extra emphasis to their forms. On
closer inspection, it is easy to see that
the photographer manipulated the
images repeatedly, but has done so in
such a way to create a seamless
portrait giving the appearance of three
different figures on an overly lengthy
bench. This is the kind of photographic
artwork and innovation that appeals to
me most.