Wonder why?

Ever wonder why doctors from renaissance wear these bizzare costumes? that bird like beaked masks? with eyes covered with glass openings? I wondered why so when I did research on that it seems they wore these special costumes as a protective suit against the plague. These costumes were invented by Charles de L'Orme in 1619.


Source: Picture above - link

Because STEAMPUNK is absolutely beautiful!

Masks!

My new assignment is about making a mask. During my research I have found these pretty much attractive. because they dont show just one emotion but two or more different emotions. I love how it relates to me in some way xD

Project 1: Create Your Own Icon

Inspired by Che Guevara Icon, designed by me.
Credits to the photographer Shook Leng

Choice of Icon

        Through out my investigation in figure icons I notice many icons of public figure influential in pop and music culture, politics and religion.
and as my choice of icon I choose Che Guevara.
       Che Guevara (born May 14th,1928 - October 9th, 1967) was an author, physician, guerrilla leader, diplomat, military theorist and revolutionist. "Che is not only an intellectual, he was the most complete human being of our time, our eras most perfect man." - Jean Paul Sartre. After studying medicine, he worked as a doctor in Guatemala. During his days as a doctor he was disgusted by the government and social injustice and poverty. He believed that this should change and each and every individual must have their own freedom."It is better to die standing than to live on your knees" - Che Guevara
"The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe, you have to make it fall" This belief led him to join the Cuban revolutionary movement to overthrow the socialist government. Che Guevara was a major figure in Cuban revolution and has become a symbol of rebellion and an insignia within today's subcultures. "Che's life is an inspiration for every human being who loves freedom, we will always honor his memory" - Nelson Mandela

 Che Guevara has become a global insignia due to his actions. Some individuals still honor his memory and some don't. His famous picture is often printed on T-shirts posters and sprayed graffiti on urban walls

   

   A music video and a song dedicated to Che Guevara.

 

Icons today

          Icons today are used for various reasons. From software icons to road signs or just about anything. In software user interface, icons are simplified as much as you can to help the user to understand it easily. However if its too simplified it could also lead to confusion. 

See what I mean?
The icon on the right hand side
could also symbolize an arrow.

User interfaces are typically full of symbols. The symbol of a house actually means "return home" and a magnifying glass doesnt mean "Sherlock Holmes" it actually means "search".
Cubism is often used in software iconography such as finder icon from apple. 
check out this link, about Secret histories of computer software symbols.

Moving on from Software icons. Icons have also been used to represent band identities. 

 

Iconography and Religion

      Iconography is used in religion to convey religious concepts, beliefs and religious events. Religions icons often have patterns in their symbols like 6 sided or 8 sided stars. These icons are also seen in architecture like Islamic architecture on mosques.
      

         

         Icons aren't only patterns of symbols, Icons also display religious, holy and sacred figures. Realism art is often seen in religious iconography art

Investigation! (icons)

       Through out our history icons have played a big deal. We can see this clearly by Byzantine icons from the ancient times that are related to Byzantine empire and religious icons. Egyptian iconography has also marked its place in our history, from ancient times till now Egyptian iconography is heavily influential in fashion industry the most. Icons were also used in Egyptian scripts. Not only Egyptian scripts I would say but iconography is used a lot on many ancient scripts from different civilizations such as Egyptian, Indus, Babylonian and Chinese. 

     In Ancient times Iconography was used as their way of communication and often used in myth and folk lore. Often symbolizes animals and other elements in life.

Pop culture iconography

   

Things that we are familiar with doesnt need to be complete to know what it is. Icons kind of behave in this way. Such as this icon of Charlie Chaplin

Icons speak for itself

Bwahahahahah! Welcome to the dark side.