Conceptually Sound

Exercise 4 has us looking at the concept of conceptual design in contemporary culture. So lets look at the concepts that make the world turn round.

When you look at conceptual design one might think design that crafts a visual metaphor for some idea or other. Alas on the contemporary circuit there is a difference between conceptual art and conceptual design, so the examples we will be looking at will so the differences. The first example is that of contemporary concept art:

This image is art that is made for an up and coming video game. Concept art in this instance is art that is made to keep to the "concept" of a video game or movie. It not so much a design that is suppose to articulate a certain design concept as it is to expand upon a libary imagery that makes up a universe that a motion project is trying to create. Which brings me to the second example:

This is a more traditional art piece titled: "Happiness by disassociation". Its conceptual in that it is a singular piece that tries to create a visual metaphor that communicates a concept that views can intellectually identify with. This still falls under the catagory of conceptual art as opposed to design because it was created to express a emotional paradigm not to serve any other function. Which brings us to the third example:

This is most definitely conceptual design. Its make up is quickly communicates the purpose and function of the company it was made to represent. Where the last example was more esoteric is its execution and function, this logo is non-ambiguios and forms an identifiable symbol for the business it represents.

So calling something conceptual is up for interpretation depending on where and why something is created. Surely all art and design has some degree conceptualization to it but its the difference in functionality and clarity of symbolism that separates art, design and one design from another.

Global Blizzard

Exercise 3 has us examining a interesting brand, their philosophy, identity and all that jazz. And what brand is more entertaining than Blizzard entertainment:

People who play computer games on a regular basis will almost certainly know about Blizzard entertainment, for people who dont... they make computer games but not just any computer games. Games that have people in rehab for addiction, games that have sponsored tournaments before a game is even fully released, games that have people waiting for up to 10 years in feverish anticipation for there next release. Yip Blizzard is a brand that holds a lot of weight in the pc gaming  community, one that takes the philosophy of Quality over Quantity to a whole new level. In fact the company has been know to completely cancel games (projects that take years and millions of dollars to develop) if they are not up to Blizzard insane standards. Most game development companies dont really have the resources to publish there own games and rely on big publishing companies to produce their work for a global market. Blizzard on the other hand, not only publishes their own games but once a year hold their very own video game convention: Blizzcon.

This illustrates what Blizzard does best (besides making crazy good games) PR and generating hype. Where other game companies take about 2 or 3 years to develop a game or make a sequel to some franchise, Blizzard sometimes takes up to 10 years to release a game, while they do this they slowly trickle game content to the salivating masses, giving little snippets of footage, updating websites with concept art or intros to the story line then they hold a convention where the development team goes over every little detail of their progress. Then there's merchandising and literature extending games story lines all to make their target market  burst with anticipation. Then when a game is finally released they tend to sell out very quickly.