A LOOK AT A

YOUNG
GRAPHIC
DESIGNER IN
ST. VINCENT
AND THE
GRENADINES
BY KIZEANNE MATTHEWS

.
.
 Table of Content

Purpose of the study 2

Introduction 2

The Artist 3

Modern Designer 4-8

Analysis 8-9

Conclusion 9-10

Appendix

List of terms 10-12

Purpose of study
The purpose of this study is to find out more about what our Vincentian artists has to
offer. Vincentian arts are truly amazing we as art student could say we‟ve learn a lot by
interviewing, writing and presenting a study about an individual who has a passion for
art. This person is a young man, he is a Graphic Designer and by looking at his work it
motivates me in wanting to become an artist someday. While looking at his work it was
interesting, especially all the wonderful colors in his designs.

Introduction

Very little is known about the process of creating a design on the computer or about what
the design process is when creating commercial art. To answer this question, this project
was conducted and information gathered after interviewing an artist; a graphic designer,
then compiled as a study. There is enlightening information about what young designers
and graphic designers in SVG have produced. Included are illustrative materials,
biographical data, an evaluation of the designers work and a comprehensive discussion of
his style of the work, and his contribution the visual arts community. In the last few pages
is the list of art terms used in the study.
 The Artist
Very few young graphic designers are allowed the opportunity to be in an environment
where they are able to use their artistic ability. Young people with artistic talents in SVG
are usually employed where no one knows nor appreciates their artistic ability and few
are known. Some maybe involved in community activities where only in that small
setting can their abilities be celebrated and appreciated. Fortunately Dwight Davis was
given the opportunity to become a budding graphic designer in SVG while being
employed at the Multi Graphics Services, located in the capital, Kingstown.

His talents were recognized at an early age when he was found drawing at young age.
Born in 1985, he is now twenty four years of age and is presently living in Redemption
Sharpes, in Central Kingstown. He was a past student of the Bethel High School,
Campden Park and has been an artist since he was in Grade Four in Primary School, still
practicing and developing his abilities. Most of what Davis creates are designs for
commercial purposes, business cards, invitations to celebrations, logos and vehicle
graphics as well as a few promotional, announcements and acknowledgement designs.

Davis stated that he loves to draw and that drawing is his first love. He also informed me
that when he began seriously creating his designs was when he was not working and had
a lot of free time. Since being employed at as a graphic designer, most of the designs he
has created were for use on vehicles, informative signs on buildings and small contracts
for entrepreneurs, who are young like himself. He notes that he enjoys his job because he
is in an artistic field. Being a graphic designer allows him to explore all possibilities and
put his stamp on the design community of SVG. Resources to create these designs are
sourced from the internet, the computer, books and magazines, where he uses these as
inspiration for his work. Not only does he use these resources but he also has the
assistance of computer generated designs from programs such as Photoshot, Illustrator
and Composer.
Sometimes clients may convey to him that they need a special request and may ask him
to incorporate their personal items in designs. The materials that are used to complete his
work are the materials used by graphic designers. At times wood, cloth, vinyl material are
used to created banners, which brings extreme pleasure and joy when the designs have
come to life. His future plans of owning a graphic design company will be realized in a
few years. For the moment his attention is on raising his daughter while being as creative
as he can, satisfying his clients.

He also stated that in S.V.G art has the potential to do well but the visual arts are not
being given serious acknowledgement by locals and is therefore not being taken seriously
enough. Davis also mentioned that he feels pleased about his work, he loves his job and
the work he has created since working at the company and on his own for the past year.
Davis advised students whose dreams of becoming an artist is that, „It‟s hard work,‟ but
he still encourages them to stay focused and work even harder to accomplish their goals.
Modern designer
Graphic designers use different techniques available and invent other methods of getting
their specific message across. Many times typography is all a design needs to
communicate ideas effectively. Design and layout techniques are used in the creation of a
design as graphics can support the type or vise Varese; type can support the graphics.
However if a designer wants to deliver the message in a particular way, he/she needs to
make sure the selected type is expressive enough, the design is unique enough and the
composition is powerful. The end result is that sometimes the design might be viewed as
being extreme, artsy, unusual but they are often a different way of imagining a concept
from ways in which other artists may never imagine. It is evident that designers must
explore new horizons and explore new ways of viewing and interpreting an ideas so that
it can inspire us, inform us and make us question our perspectives of what graphic design
is about. Modern graphic design has done that and especially with the use of the
computer. Davis has created some examples of
bold, questionable and new typography to
create typographic posters, illustrations or
other graphic design concepts. This idea of
using typography and bold images is evident in
this promotional advertisement (Figure 1) for a
popular company in the Caribbean.

Figure 1. Promotional advertisement.

In this example for Lasco infant formula, the designer choose the colours of purple and
pink, yellow and gold to highlight the important sections of the design. In the background
the baby, his daughter, she looks like if she is sleeping, her head may have been resting
on a pillow in the original, but instead of a pillow, here her head is resting on the Lasco
logo. In the foreground is the formula bottle that has been superimposed on the front of
the design. The message he is sending is that this type of baby formula is excellent for the
growth development of your child, since he has used his own daughter as part of the
design.

Figure 2. Hair salon logo.

This use of typography is very feminine with the font in a whimsical and flirty design
suggests us that this is for a female. Tammi B (Figure 2) is a design for a hair saloon in
which a limited colour scheme has been used. Unlike the previous design, the prominent
image is the name of the saloon with a simple flower above. This design seems quite
simple but it is complex because Davis needed to use the elements of design in creating
this logo.
Children want to be able to be free and enjoy their childhood and the message here is that
this preschool is happy, hence the name Happy Day Preschool. This is a promotional
banner was created to celebrate the preschool‟s its thirteenth anniversary, he has used
four styles of typography and colours that are associated with babies mainly, pink and
blue. In the background he has the ribbons
that are falling from above, he has popular
cartoon figures from the Looney Tones, the
Baby Loney Toons characters. I think that
this is successful because the message is
that this is a happy place and that at this
party every child will have fun.
Figure 3. Anniversary banner.
This athletic theme design has used the faces of popular athletes, Marian Jones and Usain
Bolt, both international athletes. Bolt is from the Caribbean island of Jamaica and Marian
is an American, both are known for their abilities on the track. King has placed these two
athletes beside each other as if they are both running against each other, going after the
same trophy. However instead of the athletes wearing the identification of the
international race, they are wearing the colours and the name of Henry House. The
colours are predominantly of yellow hues, with the trophy in gold, highlighted with the
sunlight streaming from the top of it. The house‟s motto is also written in bold black
colours at the bottom of the design.

Figure 4. Banner design for inter-house sports at a secondary school.

Women want to know that their hands and are soft and touchable and some even go to the
salon to have them professionally manicured. An advertisement for a nail saloon (Figure
5) has monochromatic colours of red purples. A lady‟s face showing her hands he well
manicured nails, with her pinkie finger being bitten on ever so slightly, is positioned in
the top left hand corner. This design is very sexy, even sensual because of the placement
of the lady‟s face and the fact that we only see a part
of her face. It‟s as if Dwight is asking us to identify
her and to associate her with every woman in the
island. In the background he has used curved lines
and a variety of shapes, some geometric and some
organic, takes up the majority of the background. The
opening hours of the saloon is written at the bottom
along with the opening hours. Figure 5. Nail saloon design.
Discussing politics in SVG is the beginning of an argument among supporters of one or
the other political parties. Brain “Peco” Jordon was running for the constituency of North
Leeward in 2005, and therefore he needed some promotional banners and posters to
encourage voters of North Leeward. His face is within a heart, with a contented slight

Figure 6. Political poster/banner.

smile on his face, a smaller heart is above his head and there are trees in the background.
On the right hand side is a map of SVG, with the encouragement to vote for him at the
bottom. Next to the X marks the spot, are two hearts, this time in orange and red against a
blue background. When I looked at this design I thought it was something about love and
not politics. I think that this design is not successful; because the heart is connected with
Valentine Day and this is not a politically charged poster. If I were in this community I
would not be encouraged to vote for him because I think it looks tacky. This design was
rather daring and bold however it is not very good or successful

Figure 7. Design for a passenger van.

Passenger vans travel in many areas throughout the country and they all love to outdo
each other with their designs. The design for the passenger van, Big Smoke (Figure 7), is
in the graffiti style popular in Europe, North and South America. The name is in a 3D
style, with a dark blue background colour, the name is multicoloured with red, orange,
brown, yellow and black accented by a white outline also trimmed in black lines. This
design draws my eyes across the middle of it first because that is where the lighter
colours are located then I noticed the other aspects of the design.
Analysis

Graphic design is part of the visual experience of art and Dwight has made some
contribution in the short time that he has been employed as a graphic designer. His
designs unfortunately have the same colour schemes, where his work is mostly
monochromatic. This style of using one intensity of colour seems to be a trademark of
his. Maybe it is because he has not had that much experience or it could be these are the
colours requested by his clients. His chosen colours are mostly red and purple hues and
that seems to be a big distraction for some of this designs.

Although he is very talented, I am sure that anyone with a decent design program and
some artistic knowledge will be able to create imaginative designs. He understands and
knows the importance of layout in graphic design as well as the use of the elements and
principles of design. He has also demonstrated a good use of space, line and typography.
This font styles chosen are suitable for the designs, particularly Figure 1, where the image
of the sleeping baby captures your attention. However not all of his designs have been
this successful as mentioned, tacky. His work is diverse showing that he is able to work
with any request. Some of his designs have more than one type of font which can „make
or break‟ the design.

The designs produced by the designer were found to be colorful, creative and attractive.
Although his designs are commissioned he seems to give the clients what they want, most
of his work is realistic which is determines by the request of his art. The designs reflect a
modern style of graphic design where he does use some elements of modern art. In most
designs he has combined typography and graphics to bring his message across. The
graphical designs created are mainly used for adverting for business world the art work is
not unique because other artist may have done similar work. After a closer evaluation of
his work, I noticed that he does lack some something. His style will be developed once he
gets more experience and then he will known for a specific style. Something else was
evident in his designs. He used typography just like other designers but his designs are
similar in style and content as other graphic designers in the country. He there is evidence
of a passion for the visual arts but he needs to have more exposure so that his name will
be recognized.

Conclusion
Sometimes it is difficult for artist to get their work notice by the public. I know for some
artists they usually complain that they are not getting enough support that they need from
the government and people from St. Vincent. Dwight is putting all his effort into his work
to be noticed by others, this is what he does for a living. Everyone has to have a talent or
be good at something in order to make money. This man work has a gift from God and is
doing extremely well. It‟s a great opportunity for others who have dreams of becoming
artists to take and look at the art work our own Vincentians have to offer us. Look up to
them as your own brothers and sisters and you will learn more from them and even more
than you expect.
List of terminology
Background: the area of a picture that appears farthest away in a three-
dimensional illusion.
Balance: a principle of art that is concerned with the sense of stability of the visual
elements. There are three types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial.
Collage: An artistic composition of materials and objects pasted over a surface,
often with unifying lines and color.
Colour: a visual element that refers to what the eyes see when light is reflected off
an object. Hue, value and intensity are three properties of color.
Commercial art - art used for commercial purposes (as in advertising)
Composition: a arrangement of the visual elements in an artwork often used to
refer to a work of art itself.
Conceptual art: works of art in which the idea is equally if not more important than
the finished product.
Content: the message the work communicates. The content can relate to the subject
matter or be an idea or emotion. Theme is another word for content.
Context: the location, information, or time-frame that informs how a work of art is
viewed and what it means.
Contrast: a principle of art that uses the differences between the visual elements to
create variety, emphasis or interest. Contrast in value is the difference between light
and dark.
Creativity: using imagination rather than imitating something else. Generation of
ideas, images and/or solutions.
Design: the overall conception of a work of art
Dominance: effect created by making certain elements appear more important than
others in a composition
Elements of design: the basic components used by the artist to create works of art.
Shape, value, texture, space, form, line and color are elements of design.
Emphasis: a principle of art that stresses one element of art, defines a center of
interest or draws attention to certain areas with a work of art.
Graphic design: The practice or profession of designing print or electronic forms of
visual information, as for an advertisement, publication, or website. Graphic design
is the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an
effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters,
signs, and any other type of visual communication.
Monochromatic: a color scheme of one color plus black and white
Movement: a principle of art used to guide a viewer’s eye throughout the work; a
trend.
Negative space: spaces surrounding shapes or forms in two- and three-dimensional
art.
Overlapping: placing one object in front of another, to create depth in a work of art.
Principles of design: refers to the ways artists organize the visual elements of art:
generally found to include balance, emphasis, contrast, unity, movement and
rhythm. May also include: proportion, scale, repetition, pattern, and variety.
Shapes are created when lines are combined to form a square, triangle, or circle.
Shapes can be organic (irregular shapes found in nature) or geometric (shapes with
strong lines and angles such as circles, triangles, and squares).
Space is the area between and around objects. Increasing or decreasing the amount
of space around an object affects the way we view that object.
Unity: a principle of art that is concerned with the sense of wholeness or
completeness.
Value: the visual element that refers to lightness and darkness.
Visual elements of design: the basic ingredients artists use to create works of art:
line, shape, form, color, texture and space.
Typeface: The surface of a block of type that makes the impression, it can also be
the size or style of the letter or character on a block of type.
Value is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and
white and all the tones in between. Value can be used with color as well as black and
white. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.