Visual Techniques

Visual Techniques

-Contrast
-Balance
-Symmetry
-Depth
-Repetition

-Complex
-Active
-Harmony
-Repetition
-Consistant
-Sequence

        The two images I chose to represent good visual techniques are an old Polish movie poster for the movie "Cabaret" and an advertisement for Heinz ketchup.  Both these images are similar yet different in many ways.  Both images visually show a lot of repetition, for that is the main technique used to the viewer.  In the first ad the four legs are seen repeated in a circular motion around the head, and in the second ad the repetition of the stacked tomatoes goes all the way up to form a similar shape to what a ketchup bottle looks like.  The first image shows contrast, especially in color.  The foreground black and white contrast against each other, while contrasting against the red background at the same time.  The sharpness of these hues really stand out against one another making each color pop out.  In the second image, harmony is shown with the red tomatoes placed among the red background.  Although the tomatoes are still defined by the darkness of it's shadow, it still semi blends in with the red background and forces the reader to look at the image more closely.  Balance is shown in the first image because each leg is placed strategically around the head with the same amount of distance between each.  The legs look evenly placed and cause to look pleasing to the eye.  In the second photo, balance is also seen by the way the tomatoes are stacked on top of one another.  Although placed slightly offset, each and every other tomato tends to balance each other out at the end of the ad.  These visual techniques shown help us understand the meaning and content trying to be spread in these images.

Week 13: Contrast

CONTRAST

The photo above is a great example of an effective use of contrast.  The contrast shown is quite obvious with the use of shapes and colors present in the photo.  The main element us the contrast shown with the white background (wall) against the dark foreground in the front (the table cloth).  The dark shadows are contrasted with the lightness of the tea cups and saucers as well.  An example of contrast is used also within the thickness and thinness of the lines shown above.  The thick vs. thin effect and straight vs. curvy line effect is shown in the napkin lines, as well as the shadows rising from the coffee pot.  Contrast is easily shown in this photograph because of all the reasons listed above; each item and color strongly stand out against one another.  The use of dark and light shadows bounce off of each other and give the viewer clear hard lines on how the contrast is operating.

As I was searching for images that had poor contrast, I really liked this example that I found and thought it clearly showed a lack of contrast in many ways.  As a graphic designer, there are many things that I wish I could change about this photo, for a simple change could transform the entire outlook here.  First of all, it is extremely hard to read the messaged shown across the image because of the white font used.  The white has no contrast with any of the colors in the background, and does not stand out against anything in particular, making it hard to read.  It is also hard to read and lacks contrast because the image is too busy and has way too much going on, when simplicity could have been key.  The background lacks contrast as well because of every color being strewn together in one sequenced line.  There is no definition between the colors, and no shading is used to define certain lines and shadows.  If the photo here had less colors and a more solid background, the foreground (message) would easily have been more easy to read, overall creating a better effect on the image.

Source:  http://www.movoto.com/blog/real-estate-agent/3-quick-tips-to-a-better-brochure-font-edition/

Movement/Motion

Week 12: Option 1

The implied motion in this photograph is the liquid being poured out of the product which could be either a lamp shade or a cup.  Color and shading helps define the picture because the light coloring refers to the liquid and the darkness refers to the shade.  We can tell that the liquid is spilling because of the curvature of the shade, and the flowing movement of the liquid onto the table or floor.  We can also tell it is spilling because of the splatter/puddle it makes when it reaches the bottom.  The waves and curves in the liquid show that it is spreading horizontally as it hits the floor. The gradient of light on the liquid also helps us know it shows movement because it implies gravity, showing that the liquid is being pulled to the ground hence the darker the shading gets.  The smoothness of the liquid implies that we know it is a liquid, and the shiny part at the bottom shows us texture.  I think this picture is a great example of captured still motion.

There are many reasons why one could think movement/motion could be seen in this picture. Motion is created in this graphic by an implied motion of applied movement.  I was intrigued by this photo because it reminded me of a mannequin and I am interested in fashion and design.  You get the idea that the figure is walking because the figure is repeated in consistent form but slowly fading away in the background.  The fading away part makes it seem like the figure is moving closer to us, as if they were walking.  As the figure is walking, they are leaving impressions behind them, showing motion.  The shadowing also is a huge indicator for movement and motion.  The way the arms and legs are placed indicated that walking is being involved.