by Sofie Neudecker -

Index: Structure of my Research Process

How I want to Continue with the Exploration of my Topic

In this research process, I aim to examine facial shapes from various perspectives and delve deeper into studies across a wide range of diverse scientific fields. There is an abundance of material available, and many fascinating discoveries have already been made about human faces. However, much of this evidence seems to exist in isolation. My goal is to bring these important insights together, combine them effectively, and place them within the broader context of design and art. I want to emphasize the significance of my findings in the field of creative studies and establish a bridge between rational scientific evidence and its relevance in the creative process. To achieve this, I have outlined the following list of subtopics I plan to explore in the coming weeks. Initially, I intend to focus on scientific research in the field of perception psychology. As my research progresses, I will further explore the areas of art and design to assess the relevance and connections of my earlier findings within these fields.

  1. Proportions within Faces
  2. Face Perception
  3. Facial Emotion Recognition
  4. Problems in Face Recognition
  5. Facial Beauty
  6. The Power of Makeup
  7. Child Scheme
  8. Facial Shapes in Visuals 01
  9. Facials Shapes in Visuals 02
  10. Digital Face Detection
The designer and artist Bruno Munari loved to play with facial shapes.
He was emphasising specific areas
of his own face.
Or exchanging them with
foreign objetcs.

Image Sources:

Marie Claire Maison. „Bruno Munari Portrait.“ Bruno Munari. Marie Claire Maison. Marie Claire, n.d. https://www.marieclaire.fr/maison/bruno-munari,1143186.asp.

Mondoblog. „Image of Bruno Munari.“ Bruno Munari, My Favourite Italian Genius. Mondoblog, November 9, 2010. https://mondo-blogo.blogspot.com/2010/11/bruno-munari-my-favorite-italian-genius.html.

Colomer, Carlos. „Image of Bruno Munari.“ Bruno Munari: Una Vida de Arte y Diseño. Graffica, September 20, 2023. https://graffica.info/bruno-munari-una-vida-de-arte-y-diseno/.

Casati Gallery. „Image of Bruno Munari.“ Bruno Munari: Italian Artist, Writer, and Graphic Designer. Last updated June 24, 2020. https://www.casatigallery.com/designers/bruno-munari/.

by Sofie Neudecker -

Intro: Facial Shapes

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
Bruno Munari:, Multiple Identities of a Face, „Design as Art“, 1966
Bruno Munari: „Look into my Eyes“, 1970
Logos with Facial Elements by Paul Rand
Logo with facial features designed by Paul Rand in 1938
Pictorial version of Rand’s rebus from 1988

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.