What is surrealism and how can it inspire your future designs?

When was surrealism created?

The surrealism movement emerged in the 1920s, shaped by the aftermath of the First World War. It was André Breton who is widely credited with bringing the ideas of surrealism into a single school of thought, with the art form finding a base in Paris and spreading across Europe.

The political and artistic movement was designed as a form of expression. It encouraged artists to draw from the subconscious mind, creating art that reflected something a little more unconventional, much like abstract art. Surrealism allowed for emotions to be painted and subjects to be analysed from new angles. Ultimately, surrealist art was there to be enjoyed, but most importantly, pondered over in detail.

Key characteristics of surrealism.

You’re sure to be asking about what is surrealism in its most fundamental form? These characteristics should help to identify surrealism in its many iterations.

Unpredictable shapes.

Surrealism looks at shape in unconventional ways. It depicts normal objects in a manner that almost look paradoxical to the subject itself. Melting lines, a lack of geometric shape, and an absence of pattern can sometimes make surrealist art seem rather unstructured.

Imaginary imagery.

Abstract and bizarre imagery dominates the surrealism movement, with imaginative artworks drawn straight from the subconscious influencing the rest of the style. Humans out of proportion, objects outside their natural environment and strange settings all contribute to surrealism.

Illusions.

Optical illusion art plays with the eye and tricks the mind into seeing something that isn’t there. While not as technically proficient, surrealist art does utilise some of the techniques of illusions, creating images that are not quite as they appear. The human body is often the subject of these illusions.

Muted colour combinations.

While more modern art styles like pop art seek to rely on bold colours, the palette of surrealism can be somewhat muted. What’s more, the colours chosen for a work don’t always match with the scene depicted. It wouldn’t be surprising to see blue grass or a purple sea, as the artist surreally expresses themselves.

What influenced surrealism?

Surrealism has a range of influences. These include:

• Sigmund Freud. The psychologist is known for his psychoanalytical work in which he explored the subconscious thoughts and dreams of his patients – something that became central to the concept of surrealism.
• Dadaism. The Dada art movement emerged in 1916 in response to the horrors of the First World War. It was the first art movement to challenge traditional art forms and promote satire and destruction. Surrealism was its natural successor.
• Symbolism. The surrealists littered their works with symbols, seemingly innocuous objects and creatures that carried much meaning. Birds, for example, represented the shadow of death. The sea reflected the uncertainty of human nature.

How to implement surrealism in Adobe Express.

It’s time to put these incredible effects into use using Adobe Express. Here’s a couple of ways to do so.

Use unpredictable shapes in your cards.

Cards can be quite conventional, but you will want to draw from unusual sources to create a design that has meaning and can stand against the competition. Craft cards using Adobe Express’ free templates that boast unusual, pattern-less shapes for that surrealist edge.

Create presentations with abstract imagery.

Abstract imagery can sometimes put your point across better than you’re able to, as it engages your audience and forces them to think about the image. Take abstract pictures and apply them to your presentations, to create a mood or tone that best suits your project, using Adobe Express’ easy to use presentation templates.

Place an illusion on your business card.

You’ve seen every type of business card under the sun, but how often do you come across one with an optical illusion? Whether it’s in your logo or your background, interact with your audience by creating a business card, using the Adobe Express UK templates, that tricks the eye.

Craft a flyer with an unusual colour palette.

Flyers can be packed with information, telling the audience, when and where an event is happening, or perhaps what a brand is all about. Contrasting colours and an unusual, muted palette could provide a good way of organising that information in an aesthetically pleasing way. Use Adobe Express’s free flyer templates and the convert to JPG image feature to curate a perfect design with the right pictures.