Due to my involvement in music, subcultures are very close to my heart. As a student of Art Pedagogy, I decided to connect art and music in my diploma thesis. I took on the research of subcultures and their beginnings, which brought me all the way to freemasonry, world’s first organisations that can be considered as subcultures. We can draw a number of parallels between freemasonry and subcultures, such as the refusal of the principles of society and societal beliefs. Freemasons had their own logos, signs that represented them, similar to today’s subcultures. They were connected by similar lifestyles and ways of thinking.
I researched, listed, and described a few graphic signs used by subcultures today and explored how the signs have developed in different analogue and digital forms due to communication demands. I asked young artists how they get creative ideas and use symbolism. Every artist searches to find inspiration from their environment. They try to use symbolism in a way to improve their products without compromising the clarity of the meaning of signs. The most popular techniques of graphic design today include computer design, various print makings, graffiti, tattoos, even sewing...
Graphic design in modern capitalist era is predominantly used for advertising purposes, which can't be understood as art. Or can it? I have noticed people can make a lot of money with graphic design since visual communication always, at least indirectly, influences consumers. Commercial art is currently thriving while it promotes capitalistic thinking and, at the same time, helps the artist to make a living.
In my diploma thesis, I also present my original graphic sign that I created for my musical band together with a few examples of its use.
The lesson plan in the last part of the diploma thesis is designed for the sixth grade of primary school. We will be making stencils and creating our own subculture signs.
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