Showing posts with label Covered. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Covered. Show all posts
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
OUGD505: Covered: Initial Ideas/Crit Feedback
Initial thoughts and ideas on the book cover brief. For such a philosophical classic written in 380BC I would like to create a contemporary cover for it. From the crit it was suggested that I look further into the theory of forms for inspiration. Overall, my peers liked my book choice and the theorys within it. I would love to do some illustration for this project.
Friday, 17 April 2015
OUGD505: Covered/Research
I've been looking through the book cover archive as a source of inspiration. As Platos, The Republic is quite a philosophy classic with ideas and ideologies presented within the book that are incredibly profound and breath-taking, especially given how long ago the original text was written. For a classic book it would be interesting to see a contemporary cover design, and I would like to use some illustration. The book is meant to be an absolutely essential read about justice, society and the self so I think about buying it!
I picked out a few contemporary covers I especially liked. It would be good to use some hand-rendered elements to the cover.
Thursday, 16 April 2015
OUGD505: Covered/Research/Plato, The Republic Book V11
The Republic is a Socratic dialogue, written by Plato around 380 BC, concerning the definition of justice, the order and character of the just city-state and the just man.
One of Socrates' (and Plato's) chief ideas was that of Forms, which explains that the world is made up of reflections of more perfect and ideal 'forms.' The material world--the one we can see, touch, hear, and smell--is really just half-seen images of the reality of the Forms. Relying on your physical senses alone--trusting what you see, for instance--is, to Socrates, making yourself effectively blind. The world we see is only a reflection of the Forms the world represents (and not even that accurately). A Form--whether it's a circle, or a table, or a tree, or a dog--is, for Socrates, the answer to the question, 'What is that?' Only understanding Forms can lead to true knowledge. Plato uses a parable, a short informative story, to illustrate 'forms' and the 'cave,' in his main work, The Republic (which first appeared around 380 BC).
The Allegory of the Cave
Plato imagines a group of people who have lived chained in a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of the cave entrance, and begin to ascribe forms to these shadows. According to Plato, the shadows are as close as the prisoners get to seeing reality. He then explains how the philosopher is like a prisoner who is freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the wall are not constitutive of reality at all, as he can perceive the true form of reality rather than the mere shadows seen by the prisoners.
The Allegory is related to Plato's Theory of Forms, wherein Plato asserts that "Forms" (or "Ideas"), and not the material world of change known to us through sensation, possess the highest and most fundamental kind of reality. Only knowledge of the Forms constitutes real knowledge. In addition, the allegory of the cave is an attempt to explain the philosopher's place in society.
The Allegory of the Cave is related to Plato's metaphor of the sun (507b509c) and the analogy of the divided line (509d513e), which immediately precede it at the end of Book VI. Allegories are summarized in the viewpoint of dialectic at the end of Book VII and VIII (531d-534e). This relates to the idea of forms as people struggle to see the reality beyond illusion.
What is really impressive that 2500 years later and it is still relevant today.
“How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?” Plato, The Allegory of the Cave
In Book VII, Socrates presents the most beautiful and famous metaphor in Western philosophy: the allegory of the cave. This metaphor is meant to illustrate the effects of education on the human soul. Education moves the philosopher through the stages on the divided line, and ultimately brings him to the Form of the Good.
In Book VII, Socrates presents the most beautiful and famous metaphor in Western philosophy: the allegory of the cave. This metaphor is meant to illustrate the effects of education on the human soul. Education moves the philosopher through the stages on the divided line, and ultimately brings him to the Form of the Good.
Theory of Forms
One of Socrates' (and Plato's) chief ideas was that of Forms, which explains that the world is made up of reflections of more perfect and ideal 'forms.' The material world--the one we can see, touch, hear, and smell--is really just half-seen images of the reality of the Forms. Relying on your physical senses alone--trusting what you see, for instance--is, to Socrates, making yourself effectively blind. The world we see is only a reflection of the Forms the world represents (and not even that accurately). A Form--whether it's a circle, or a table, or a tree, or a dog--is, for Socrates, the answer to the question, 'What is that?' Only understanding Forms can lead to true knowledge. Plato uses a parable, a short informative story, to illustrate 'forms' and the 'cave,' in his main work, The Republic (which first appeared around 380 BC).
The Allegory of the Cave
Plato imagines a group of people who have lived chained in a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of the cave entrance, and begin to ascribe forms to these shadows. According to Plato, the shadows are as close as the prisoners get to seeing reality. He then explains how the philosopher is like a prisoner who is freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the wall are not constitutive of reality at all, as he can perceive the true form of reality rather than the mere shadows seen by the prisoners.
The Allegory is related to Plato's Theory of Forms, wherein Plato asserts that "Forms" (or "Ideas"), and not the material world of change known to us through sensation, possess the highest and most fundamental kind of reality. Only knowledge of the Forms constitutes real knowledge. In addition, the allegory of the cave is an attempt to explain the philosopher's place in society.
The Allegory of the Cave is related to Plato's metaphor of the sun (507b509c) and the analogy of the divided line (509d513e), which immediately precede it at the end of Book VI. Allegories are summarized in the viewpoint of dialectic at the end of Book VII and VIII (531d-534e). This relates to the idea of forms as people struggle to see the reality beyond illusion.
What is really impressive that 2500 years later and it is still relevant today.
OUGD505: Covered/Existing Covers
Initially I began by looking at existing covers for Plato's Republic, to see what was there and how I can make my cover different. All the existing covers use very dull colours and done of them look particularly interesting to read for such an iconic important philosophy book. All the covers use serif fonts and traditional imagery so it could be interesting to see a contemporary cover with more vibrant colours.
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
OUGD505: Covered/Chosen Book/The Republic, Plato
As I don't know much about philosophy, I spoke to Helen as she studied philosophy and suggested that I look at Plato. I already knew a bit about Plato's Cave. Plato was a famous Greek philosopher who has had a great influence on Western thought and civilisation.
I find plato's allegory of the cave incredibly interesting and thought provoking. As well as this Plato is one of the world's best known and most widely read and studied philosophers. He was the student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, and he wrote in the middle of the fourth century B.C.E. in ancient Greece. I have decided to re design the book cover of Platos, The Republic.
The Allegory of the Cave
The Allegory of the Cave (also titled Plato's Cave or Parable of the Cave) is presented by the Greek philosopher Plato in his work The Republic (514a–520a) to compare "...the effect of education and the lack of it on our nature". It is written as a dialogue between Plato's brother Glaucon and his mentor Socrates, narrated by the latter. The allegory is presented after the Analogy of the Sun(508b–509c) and the Analogy of the Divided Line (509d–513e). All three are characterised in relation to dialectic at the end of Books VII and VIII (531d–534e).
Plato has Socrates describe a gathering of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of a fire behind them, and begin to designate names to these shadows. The shadows are as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality. He then explains how the philosopher is like a prisoner who is freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the wall do not make up reality at all, as he can perceive the true form of reality rather than the mere shadows seen by the prisoners.
Socrates remarks that this allegory can be taken with what was said before, namely the Analogy of the Sun and the Analogy of the Divided Line. In particular, he likens our perception of the world around us "to the habitation in prison, the firelight there to the sunlight here, the ascent and the view of the upper world is the rising of the soul into the world of the mind" (517b)
What it means!
Plato's Allegory of the Cave can seem bleak, but it's meant to be a wake-up call for everyone to stop settling for an imperfect, unexplored life. Since Plato believed that human beings could eventually free themselves and head upwards to the real world by leading a life of philosophical consideration, the Allegory's bleakness is really meant to be motivational, to make people understand how limiting and self-defeating an "unexamined life" can be.
It's also meant to remind people that they should be skeptical of everything. The key to being a philosophical person is to take everything you encounter in life as an opportunity for scrutiny and self-improvement.
Plato was definitely going for shock value with this haunting image—and shock is what he got. The Allegory of Cave has become one of the most unforgettable, talked-about moments in the history of philosophy. In one way or another, almost every major philosophical viewpoint since Plato has responded to, attacked, or reimagined this foundational image of human existence.
The Allegory of the Cave (also titled Plato's Cave or Parable of the Cave) is presented by the Greek philosopher Plato in his work The Republic (514a–520a) to compare "...the effect of education and the lack of it on our nature". It is written as a dialogue between Plato's brother Glaucon and his mentor Socrates, narrated by the latter. The allegory is presented after the Analogy of the Sun(508b–509c) and the Analogy of the Divided Line (509d–513e). All three are characterised in relation to dialectic at the end of Books VII and VIII (531d–534e).
Plato has Socrates describe a gathering of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of a fire behind them, and begin to designate names to these shadows. The shadows are as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality. He then explains how the philosopher is like a prisoner who is freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the wall do not make up reality at all, as he can perceive the true form of reality rather than the mere shadows seen by the prisoners.
Socrates remarks that this allegory can be taken with what was said before, namely the Analogy of the Sun and the Analogy of the Divided Line. In particular, he likens our perception of the world around us "to the habitation in prison, the firelight there to the sunlight here, the ascent and the view of the upper world is the rising of the soul into the world of the mind" (517b)
What it means!
Plato's Allegory of the Cave can seem bleak, but it's meant to be a wake-up call for everyone to stop settling for an imperfect, unexplored life. Since Plato believed that human beings could eventually free themselves and head upwards to the real world by leading a life of philosophical consideration, the Allegory's bleakness is really meant to be motivational, to make people understand how limiting and self-defeating an "unexamined life" can be.
It's also meant to remind people that they should be skeptical of everything. The key to being a philosophical person is to take everything you encounter in life as an opportunity for scrutiny and self-improvement.
Plato was definitely going for shock value with this haunting image—and shock is what he got. The Allegory of Cave has become one of the most unforgettable, talked-about moments in the history of philosophy. In one way or another, almost every major philosophical viewpoint since Plato has responded to, attacked, or reimagined this foundational image of human existence.
My thoughts
OUGD505: Covered
Undertake research to uncover a notable ‘thinker’ – a theorist or philosopher – whose concepts or views resonate with you. While not an exhaustive list, you could, for example, consider any of the following:
Following your initial engagement, locate one publication that documents the work of your chosen thinker and develop a design for a book cover that capably communicates something about its content. Your submission is in two parts:
- An A4 poster print of your proposed cover that is produced using a process of your choice. This should be limited to two colours plus stock.
- A completed jacket design including front, back and spine complete with blurb, publisher logos, ISBN numbers, etc. Again, reflecting some of the constraints in book publishing, this should also be a two colour (plus stock) design.
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