Debbie's Illustration Log: Exercise

I have created some mood boards with images from the 1950s, and put them into the categories listed, so that I can create an illustration to give a modern teenager an idea of the 1950s.

I discovered that after the war years of the 1940s, Britain started to evolve rapidly, people seemed eager for change. It was greatly influenced by America through film/TV, clothing, and famous people such as Marlon Brando, Elvis Presley, and James Dean.

Teenage years were particularly influenced by these idols, because they were keen to rebel against authority. Gangs of Teddy boys, frequently' ripped it up' damaging property etc.

Britain and America became interested in space travel, although nothing was achieved until the 1960s, so much was made about aliens from outer space in films, plus was born science-fiction, films that were now in colour helped this.

Fabrics and wallpaper were adorned with large motifs and abstract shapes in bright colours. Household interiors changed, open plan sitting rooms, modern Melamine furniture sat in dining rooms and linoleum was put down on kitchen floors.

The future was important for the 1950s person, because they had emerged safely from the war years, things were being taken off ration, manufacturing, building and research was going through a boom period.

In the art world too, things were going through a change in the' abstract Expressionist' movement was formed with artists such as Jackson Pollock,Willem de Koonig, and Franz Kline. There were all so artists that started the ' pop art' trend that was to make Andy Warhol famous in the 1960s, artists included Eduardo Paolazzi, Richard Hamilton and Jasper Johns.

As the 1950s went into the 1960s many of the things that were started carried on at a great pace. Television became more affordable, alongside cars to many more people, the further the country got away from the war years.

New synthetic fabric, modern production methods, made clothing more varied.

With more money in their pockets young people set out to have a good time. The 1960s was a time of remarkable, cultural upheaval. Attitudes changed towards class, colour and sex. People became more outspoken, this was the time when the CND introduced the ' ban the bomb' phrase at demos.

So from the 1950s the country began to progress and change from the life it had had before, it used the opportunity created by the war years, to start again.

Today in the 21st-century we are now more interested in our past, many of the things we buy have roots back in the 1950s. Vintage clothing is a booming business with many well-dressed women wearing original clothes or reproduction ones from the 50s. Many of our kitchen white goods have a design influence from around the 50s/60s, large American style refrigerators from that period have made an appearance in today's kitchen.

Classic cars have always been popular, and with the many car rallies and exhibitions it is possible you may see many vehicles from this time.

In conclusion the leaps in technology, design, art, fashion and advertising made in the 1950s, are still influencing these areas to date.