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.

Dimension/Depth/Space/Scale

I chose this picture which depicts depth, dimension, and space because as a design major I tend to be more focused on interior design and the layout of rooms.  My mom is an interior designer so I grew up learning to love the colors, placement, layout, and pieces used to create a room.  This room pictured here is interesting because at first glance, the people in the picture look extremely small but then you realize they are sitting on a couch.  Because they are scaled and set much further back in the picture, the walls closest to us look much larger because they are closer to the camera.  This is known as relative size, for the further away the people are from the camera the smaller they look.  Depth is thrown off in this picture because since the same wall paper/pattern is used on every side, the walls look like they are shrinking further to where the people are.  The dimension of the room is also interesting because from the camera angles you would think at first the back of the room is indeed smaller, yet the entire room overall is actually the same size.  At first glance I wondered how the people could even fit into such a small place!  But then after noticing the tricks of depth and dimension I figured out it was just an illusion and my perception was thrown off.


Source: http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/crazy,mind/Interesting

Blog Exercise:Week 10 Tone and Color

How Tone is Operating:

The poster for The Dark Knight is a great example of dark and light tones especially creating contrast because a certain mood is extended.  The image is using all mostly shades of blacks and blues, except for the red and orange fire which strongly stands apart from the rest of the image.  The shades of the blacks and blues are very strong and clear, for the poster is not dulled done but almost intensified by its color.

How Tone is Interacting:

            Tone is happening with Dondis’s element of movement.  Because of all the different variations of dark colors used, it gives off a erie feeling that something bad could or will possibly happen.  The tone makes the reader drawn in, and makes the reader want to see the movie to interact with what wrong could possibly happen because of the color palette chosen.

How Color is Operating:

            Color is operating in this picture by using blue and gray hues, contrasted by the bright, fiery red orange fire at the top of the image.  The fire is the complete opposite of the darkness surrounded it.  The different shades of colors used, whether it be the darkness of the batman or the brightness of the fire, display that negative imagery is taking place.

How Color is Interacting:

            I think color is working with the Dondis element of texture and lines.  The texture of the fire and the smoke and smog hazing around the sky represent and foreshadow for something wrong to take place.  The darkness of the colors interact with the reader because it brings them in to wonder what could actually take place in this movie.

Web Design

Week 10 - Basic Elements- Web Design

Movement

Urban Outfitters always have fun, unique web site displays that change constantly so you never expect what is next.  I always find that their site shows great movement and flow, for their ways of typography and placement always move your eye from one side to the other.  The curvature in their type (like the G and E letters) show movement, just like movement is seen as the header is shown in the shape of a half circle.  The images are large enough for the reader to see, and make you want to scroll either down or click next to see more images.  They do well on intriguing the reader to want to view more.

Color:

One of my favorite go-to websites, (and a magazine company I would love to work for) is Nylon magazine.  Nylon always uses a great use of color.  Surprisingly, although they usually have white background layouts and sometimes black headers/copy, they find ways to use huge pops of color that are not overwhelming in the least.  They usually still to different shades of CMYK, whether it be pastels to the hottest hue there is.  They use a great contrast between black and white versus color, and the way they use pull quotes and other captions in color always draws in my attention.  Color is important because it can make your web design better than the next.  The right use of color always brings in the readers attention and gets them wanting to view more.

Lines:

Not only is the website Cool Huntings great for finding new design, it also is a great example of the use of design, especially when using lines.  Cool Huntings uses very clean and straight lines for organization, and makes it very easy and convenient to navigate the site.  I think their use of lines gives for a cool architectural appeal to the web site.  They go for a very modern look on the site, and it is attractive to readers because the information is constantly changing yet the design layout usually stays the same.  There are multiple lines that connect and interconnect, drawing in the readers eye to see where each line can lead to.

Blog Exercise: Visual Thinking Research

Puzzle 1:

I thought this puzzle looked to be the easiest, but it actually was a little trickier than I though it would be.  The goal was to count as many squares as possible, even if some were overlapping.  I started by counting the smallest squares first and then moving on to the bigger ones.  I accidentally messed up at first because I started counting the rectangle squares as well.  I ended up counting 11 squares overall.  The aim of this puzzle is to look at the bigger picture rather then look at the squares close in detail.  When I examined the squares as a whole, I was able to spot bigger squares that were not easily as visible.

Although it took my roommate sometime to figure this out, she was able to find all 11 squares as well.  She interrupted the directions differently than me and did not think to include the rectangles at all (which shows I read the directions wrong!) Overall she thought this puzzle was pretty easy in comparison to other puzzles she has done.

Puzzle 2:
This puzzle was extremely difficult for me.  It took me several tries to finally figure this out, and I even had to look at the solution for some answers.  While doing the puzzle, I never thought to extend the lines past the 4 corners of the square.  Because I never considered that option, I was always stuck with using more than 6 connecting lines to reach each star.  I really did think this puzzle would be a breeze!  It taught me to think outside the box more, and to make sure I brainstorm all the possible solutions before I attempt something.  This puzzle definitely works the brain in that it makes you think outside the norm.

My roommate could not figure this puzzle out as well.  She was as stumped as me, and we were both shocked and confused when we ended up looking at the solution.  We both attempted many tries at this puzzle, each failing time after time.  We both were losing patience as we could not figure out the answer to this puzzle.