From our research we were assigned to create a publication, packaging or distribution using information graphics.
From my existing knowledge of the Illuminati I would have to create an engaging and informative way of portraying this. There are already books and information about the illuminati but are hard to access and are not visually interesting.
Knowing this from my further reading list on my blog, I wanted to research ways in which I could make a new innovative version for my target market of students and people interested about the subject. I wanted to create a middle market design that was interactive. PUBLICATION DESIGN. My initial idea was to create an illuminati book / leaflet in the shape of a pyramid to fit in with the societies logo. I began to research artists and designs to influence my ideas.
After looking through an array of images I came across designer Karen Hanmer and her design of the Celestial Navigation book, this influenced the design of my book. The design is quite complex, however I think it would engage my target market.
Knowing I wanted to create a publication, I then looked into editorial design to see how I could present my infographics. I specifically focused on modern and popular culture designs as it would work relevantly to the genre of my work and my design intentions.
I liked the examples I found as they gave a clean and polished aesthetic for me to surround my idea's on.
EMBLEM AND DESIGN IDEAS.
I Then began looking at modern versions of the illuminati emblem which is an eye inside of a pyramid. I researched the simplest interpretations to the over the top and bizarre, to see what could influence my design.
I found some of the modern emblem designs were associated with the star nebula texture I liked how it conneted a sense of mystery which the illuminati society does and I wanted to incorporate this also into my design.
From my research on publication design in regards to displaying my infographics, I wanted to use a simplistic approach due to the breadth of information I found. I want to produce a book in the style of a condensed article focusing on the four main topics I explored in my research; the history, signs + symbolism, pop culture and conspiracy. It fulfils the brief by translating information clearly and would look aesthetically pleasing and contemporary for my target market.
Design wise I felt that using a star nebular design for the pyramid book design would work best compared to the current designs of the publications out there regarding the subject.
The path of my research changed due to the results of my survey and new found interest in a subject I explored when doing my research on Roswell. I decided to focus on secret societies and their affect on society.
SECRET SOCIETIES
A secret society is a club or organisation whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non members.
FREEMASONS.
'Masons conduct their regular meetings in a ritualized style. This includes many references to architectural symbols such as the compass and square. They refer to God as “The Great Architect of the Universe.
THE BILDERBERG GROUP.
This group is slightly different from the others in that it does not have an official membership. It is the name given to a group of highly influential people who meet ever year in secrecy (and usually with strong military and government sponsored security). The topics discussed are kept secret.
SKULL & BONES.
Members of the Skull and Bones (George Bush is left of the clock) [1947]
The Order of Skull and Bones, a Yale University society, was originally known as the Brotherhood of Death. It is one of the oldest student secret societies in the United States. It was founded in 1832 and membership is open to an elite few. The society uses masonic inspired rituals to this day. Members meet every Thursday and Sunday of each week in a building they call the “Tomb”.
The fact that the Illuminati did not require a belief in a supreme being made them particularly popular amongst atheists. This, and the fact that most members were humanists, is the reason for the widespread belief that the Illuminati wants to overthrow organized religion. It has even been suggested that the Skull and Bones club is an American branch of the Illuminati. Many people believe that the Illuminati is still operating and managing the main actions of the governments of the world. It is believed that they wish to create a One World Government based on humanist and atheist principles.' -Source
I found the Illumaniti a really interesting society to look further into, I found my survey showed that 89% of people believed in it and felt it was a contemporary subject to look into. I watched a documentary on the society to being my research and find out the depth of the cult.
After watching this I decided to focus on four main subjects following the Illuminati to gain a better understanding. These subjects were the history, pop culture, signs + symbols and conspiracy.
HISTORY The origin of the word Illuminati comes from 1590–1600; < Latinillūminātī,pluralofillūminātus which means enlightened.
The Illuminti society was founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt or Upper Bravia.
The society consisted of five members who modelled themselves on the Freemasons society. The superior members of the Illuminati made the other members take a vow of secrecy and to obey them.
The society was founded by Adam Weishaupt, he had developed a goal to create 'a new world' or a 'perfect human nature' by eliminating organised religion and multiple governments through killing or wars.
'In Des Griffin's book, "Fourth Reich of the Rich", he shows the outline or "Plan" of Adam Weishaupt's World Revolution that he had hoped to achieve:
The abolishment of all ordered Government
The abolishment of all private property
The abolishment of all inheritance
The abolishment of all Patriotism
The abolishment of all Religion
The abolishment of all family and marriage
The creation of a World Government or World Order- to take the place of all of the above things that had been abolished' -Source
He began working towards his goal by being initiated into the Masonic Lodge , which is an organisational unit of Freemasonary. His plan was infiltrate the Freemason society and control them from within due to their respectable and religious background. The society was carried on the Albert Pike, who was a soldier, writer and corrupt Freemason. He was also the leader of the Klu Klutz Klan, A gang of white males who set out to torture and kill black people.
Supposedly the Bavarian Illuminati survived, possibly to this day. Many of these theories propose that world events are being controlled and manipulated by this society.
SIGNS + SYMBOLS
The Illuminati symbol is of a pyramid which is surrounded by latin words.
'Annuit Coeptis' which translates 'Providence favours our undertakings' -Source or 'Our enterprise is a success'
The eye with the emulating light is taken from eyptian fate 'horas: the birth of a new born sun' reffering to him as the saviour and he is watching you. Known as 'The all seeing eye'.
13 layers based on masonic symbolism which is also translated on the dollar bill. -Source
The roman numerals at the bottom of the pyramid add up to 1776 which was when the Illuminati was discoverd. There is also controversy that the numbers also add up to 666 which is the devils number. -Source
'Novus Ordo Seclorum' which translates 'A new order of the ages' or 'New order secular - world'-Source
The owl near the dollar bill is a symbol that represents the society meeting in california on the last two weeks of july every year known as the Bohemian grove ritual.The ritual consists of them surrounding by a pit of fire in wearing KKK attire. Supposedly all living presidents excluding Obama attened.
The symbolism is inspired through masonic rituals that the skull and bones society practised which worship the devil. Allegedly it is subtly exposed in everyday media from TV, images, music, films and adverts. There are 3 main signs that are filtered throughout the media. 1. El Diablo is a spanish word for the devil many powerful and influential people are seen doing this sign.
3. Influential most commonly do the infamous owl eye which supposedly represents the rituals that took place at the bohemian grove. Also the sign creates the 666 number which is used to refer to the devil.
'The Illuminati has been manifested in popular culture, in books and comics, television and movies, and games. A number of novelists, playwrights, and composers are alleged to have been Illuminati members and to have reflected this in their work.' -Source
Kesha - Die Young Video - Illuminati Symbolism.
It is suggested that entertainers from the music artists to actors are involved with the Illuminati, to indoctrinate people subtly through their music, symbolism and actions. Some of many video's with Illuminati symbolism.
Small but repeated examples of the triangle and other symbols, illustrates how the illuminati, have ‘hidden’ their secret society symbolism in plain sight for centuries and have subconsciously influenced society, to the extent that their ancient symbolism has now become an acceptable design theme.
By using popular culture reference's the public is more sustained to accept and follow it, not really knowing what it represents or what it's about.
Supposedly the deaths of some of the world icons from president to entertainment artists, were instigated by the illuminati due to them either wanting to leave the cult or reveal their secrets.
I found some of the modern emblem designs were associated with the star nebula texture I liked how it conneted a sense of mystery which the illuminati society does and I wanted to incorporate this also into my design.
