Grunge

Grunge is a sub genre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. The grunge style was inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and alternative rock. Similar to the Punk movement the roots of Grunge design started with the introduction of the new style of music which reflected and influenced by the principles of the style. The main band that portrayed Grunge was the band Nirvana late 80’s early 90’s

Grunge designs elements involve dirty stains, torn images, “broken” icons and creased pieces of paper, hand-drawn elements and dirty textures. The main purpose of hand-drawn elements lies in their ability to convey the designer personality and an individual expression. The overall style of grunge was having a dirty look, grungy look. Also the hand drawn element and type are used to emphasis on the urban elements of graffiti.

  

An important designer of grunge style is David Carson which was the designer responsible for the magazine designs of Ray Gun Megazine  a famous music magazine in the early 90’s. His work was characterised with random positioning of text, use of hand drawn typography, collage style placement of images and grungy dirty look.

The grunge style principles would influence graphic design an designer up to this date. A notable contemporary graphic designer which work is influenced by the grunge style and by David Carson is Stefan Sagmeister whic developed on the style.

References.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/03/11/the-secrets-of-grunge-design/

http://www.onextrapixel.com/2011/05/11/grunge-in-design-examples-tutorials-and-resources/

accessed 25/1/2014 1400