Area of Specialisation : Surrealism

Surrealism originated in the late 1910s and early '20s as a literary movement that experimented with a new mode of expression called automatic writing, or automatism, which sought to release the unbridled imagination of the subconscious. Officially consecrated in Paris in 1924 with the publication of the Manifesto of Surrealism by the poet and critic André Breton (1896–1966), Surrealism became an international intellectual and political movement. Breton, a trained psychiatrist, along with French poets Louis Aragon (1897–1982), Paul Éluard (1895–1952), and Philippe Soupault (1897–1990), were influenced by the psychological theories and dream studies of Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) and the political ideas of Karl Marx (1818–1883). Using Freudian methods of free association, their poetry and prose drew upon the private world of the mind, traditionally restricted by reason and societal limitations, to produce surprising, unexpected imagery. The cerebral and irrational tenets of Surrealism find their ancestry in the clever and whimsical disregard for tradition fostered by Dadaism a decade earlier.

A new approach that was implemented from the influence of  art was the technique that was used extensively in illustration, painting and printmaking. His frottage involved using rubbings to compose directly on paper, he then invented images in them which enabled him to incorporate a variety of images into his work in unexpected ways.

Salvador Dali influenced graphic design  through the use of his deep perspectives which inspired the use of vast depth onto the flat printed page, he also influenced a naturalistic approach to simultaneity which was frequently imitated in posters and editorial images.

Surrealism taught the world to see art not merely visually and literally; but to appreciate it in a subconscious level as well. Today, surrealism is a familiar form of art that continues to grow globally. It’s easy for artists to show their creativity through Surrealism, because the style provides them more freedom to convey their feelings and thoughts through the canvas. Surreal art can be dreamy, gritty, optimistic or depressing.

Forest and Dove by Max Ernst: Frottage

Max Ernst : Frottage

Wolfgang Paaren : Frumage

Most Surrealist web design make use of realistic, three-dimensional images that are recomposed and rearranged instead of drawn illustrations. This is to create more realistic, magical and strange world.

Rain Spell by Temporary Peace

Photo manipulation by Lara Jade

The Remnant by Henrik

With Surrealist web design, Flash is also a popular tool to use, because it can incorporate dreamy effects, animation and music, making it all the more surreal and interesting.

Web Design by The Pixel

Surreal Web Design by Skittles