"Burrill is a great designer because he makes you notice and appreciate truth that would otherwise remain dead and invert"
I found Anthony Burrill to be a significant artist for my publication concept. I feel like his main works and his philosophy about his work and it's content is very similar to my own aims for my own publication. I found his interview with Andy Butler from Designboom to be very informative though it was quite short. Burrill put strong emphasis on simplicity is his works, "(I) like to retain a certain ambiguity, not to refer to things that are topical, my aim is to make work that lasts and speaks about broader themes". What's interesting for me is the fact that he uses such simple messages, however they make a lasting impression on you. The straightforward charm from his designs makes you focus directly to the message and I think due to the fact that they are very simple, they make you think more in a sense that it's very open ended therefore you can relate it to your own experience and situation. As people, we think in different ways and I think Burrill perfectly demonstrates this with his simple straightforward messages making it appeal to a broader mass demographic. Apart from it being simple and straightforward, they are also very relatable, they're message that we hear maybe on a day to day basis. It makes the message seem personal to the viewer, like they are being talked to. Burill has perfected the usages of simple messages in order to appeal everyone whilst leaving a lasting impression, perhaps, timeless, as he creates work that appeals not only to the eyes but also to the heart and minds of the viewers. Every time someone reads or sees his work they will always be reminded on it's message personal to them.
"We've all got a stance, we've all got a view on things, especially now when everything is so (you know) kind of messed up, it's up to us and everyone to kinda say stuff really" - Anthony Burrill (ItsNiceThat: Nicer Tuesdays 2017)
The materials that Burrill uses for his designs also reflect the simplicity that he advocates. He uses simple, bright and bold colours making them instantly compelling but at the same time not taking away the focus from the message that he is trying to put forward. He works printers closely and produce prints that can't be done by modern techniques. I like how detailed he is with his designs as it reflect the message of being deep and sentimental for his works.
Taking away from this, I find it interesting how Burrill has used phrases he hears in his everyday life and creating them into 'motivational' and positive messages that everyone can relate to. In addition, I also find it fascinating how although some of the messages are worded in a way that it can be seen as commanding like 'WORK HARD & BE NICE TO PEOPLE', it's rather seen by us viewers as encouraging despite the lack of words such as 'Try' to may be make it sound more passive. For my own publication I'd also like to try and incorporate aspects of this kind of usage of words and phrases, maybe in relation to how the viewer will interact with my publication, in order to make them think and almost make them work for the book. Furthermore, I think this also kind of links to the emotionally intelligent signage that I looked at before, as both work are quite amusing and clever and in some ways although Burrill's is made from a designers point of view and is more refined and thought layout and composition wise, in contrast to the emotionally intelligent signage; both stem from the same ideas - they are seen by us on a day to day basis.
https://www.designboom.com/design/interview-with-graphic-artist-anthony-burrill-04-28-2014/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feASnNWg7p8
https://www.adweek.com/digital/quote-of-note-anthony-burrill/
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