The Effect of Humanisation and the Appearance of Facial Shapes in the Field of Design.
Throughout the history of graphic design, facial features have consistently reappeared as a significant element. Although the context and degree of abstraction have varied across different historical periods, it is clear that shapes resembling the human face have a distinctive character that particularly appeals to us. Faces are a rich source of information, providing insights into identity, state of mind, emotions, intentions, and other interpersonal factors (PubMed Central, July 2020). The phenomenon of „facial pareidolia,“ where our brains detect patterns, especially faces, in inanimate objects (Ouellette, Jennifer, 2021), is another intriguing aspect worth exploring.
Next my research, I intend to delve into the psychology of perception to gain a deeper understanding of how humans cognitively and emotionally perceive and interpret different kinds of faces. With this knowledge, I will analyse the design of notable modern and contemporary visual works on a more profound level. As starting points, I will examine creatives like Bruno Munari, who included “25 loose colored cards centered around the theme of faces” (Exile Book) in his book Design as Art, and Paul Rand’s works, like his logos designed for Esquire magazine in 1938 and the pictorial version for IBM in 1988. My goal is to understand how graphic designers utilise the humanisation of their work to communicate messages more effectively within their specific historical contexts. Ultimately, I aim to conduct experiments that will culminate in the production of my own creative work, incorporating elements of the human face.
Publications by Bruno Munari
Logos with Facial Elements by Paul Rand
Sources:
Munari, Bruno. Design as Art. London: Penguin Books, 1966.
Oruc, Ipek, Benjamin Balas, and Michael Landy. “Face Perception: A Brief Journey Through Recent Discoveries and Current Directions.” Vision Research 157 (April 2019): 1–9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7371014/.
Ouellette, Jennifer. “Faces, Faces, Faces Everywhere: Our Brains ‘Read’ Expressions of Illusory Faces in Things Just Like Real Faces.” arsTechnica. July 13, 2021. https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/07/our-brains-read-expressions-of-illusory-faces-in-things-just-like-real-faces/.
Images:
„Look into My Eyes.“ Corraini Edizioni. Accessed November 11, 2023. https://corraini.com/en/look-into-my-eyes.html.
„Variazioni sul Tema del Viso Umano“ Corraini Edizioni. Accessed November 11, 2023. https://corraini.com/en/variazioni-sul-tema-del-viso-umano.html
Paul Rand’s Logos with Facial Elements:
Doe, Jane. Logo with facial features designed by Paul Rand in 1938. 2024. In Wade Thompson: Son of Sons Reflects Paul Rand’s Influence and the Current State of Design, by Wade Thompson. Burnaway. November 11, 2023. https://burnaway.org/magazine/wade-thompson-son-sons-reflects-paul-rands-influence-current-state-design/.
Quito, Anne. “How to Design an Enduring Logo: Lessons from IBM and Paul Rand.” Quartz. July 23, 2015. https://qz.com/461040/how-to-design-an-enduring-logo-lessons-from-ibm-and-paul-rand.
