Constructivist Cube
2023.
STUDENT WORK
The constructivist movement rose out of a period of turmoil in Russia following WWI and the Russian Revolution in 1917, when monarchist rule was abolished and the Bolsheviks had newly adopted power. Artists became focused on a new directive: spread Soviet propaganda and encourage revolution within the public.
Since constructivism is defined as a tool focused on the message rather than decoration, it often utilizes a simple palette and bold typography. This six-sided cube was meant to showcase the unique qualities of constructivist design, as well as strong connection it seeks to evoke from the audience.
RESEARCH
Prior to the creation of the cube, I wrote an essay about the history of constructivism and how it was used to spread propaganda. Establishing the situational context that contributed to the rise of constructivism was important to determining how to approach this design and best emulate the messaging. During this time I was able to break down and analyze prevalent design motifs, such as black and red palettes dominated by bold geometric shapes.
SKETCHES
My sketches contained notes about features of constructivism design I wanted to utilize. During this phase I had to carefully plan out what panels would be near each other when folded. I decided to make my designs extend onto multiple sides of the cube, creating a cohesive and abstract piece that forces the user to interact with it to absorb the full message.
MOOD BOARD
After doing extensive research, I developed a mood board containing the distinctive visuals found in constructivism design. I laid out all the main colors as well as different potential typefaces. Pieces used for inspiration can be seen at the bottom, where I referenced the design elements I was going to integrate in my cube.
MOCKUPS
The cube reflects the bold and aggressive nature of constructivism, emphasizing the desire for revolution among the community. The Russian typography conveys the central message to never give up on fighting for freedom. There is a summary about the history of constructivism on one side, and an abstract piece which draws inspiration from Soviet artist El Lissitzky’s piece Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge.
