GD 260 Blog

Module #5

Figure #1 (Question 1 - 2)  - Nike swoosh logo

One can associate the logo with two or both viewpoints. Some interpret the logo with their slogan “Just do it!”.  Some associate the brand of Nike with fashion, sports, sneaker history, and pop culture. Others can interpret it as a reference to the wings of the Greek goddess Nike. It could also be associated with the Greek goddess as Nike was the goddess of victory. Both interpretations are a reflection of its cultural significance in either scenario. 

Figure #2 - Spiderman Logo (iconic function) The sign for this calendar is the spider-man branding logo. The red sign behind the font matches the symbol on Miles’ (Black one) back; thus making him the signified of the piece. That and he is the main character of the movie. The action of him swinging and being the largest object in the cover is also an example of indexical function.  

Figure #3 - Drawing pad (indexical function) The rocket figure in the middle relates to the signified; as it visually illustrates something that can be drawn on the drawing sheets. It’s a rocket flying in space. 

Figure #4 - Charmin Bear (symbolic function) This portion of the design was made as a means to symbolize how strong the toilet paper is. It correlates with what the brand is known and advertised for. 

Figure #5 - Wonder Woman Poster (past “style”)

Module #6

The full report can be view at: https://www.apple.com/diversity/

For this module regarding data visualization, I choose the infographics from Apple’s diversity reports. The agenda of the reports is to inform the public that Apple is a company striving for diversity within its workplace. I believe it is a prime example of how data can be used to “lie” to us. Firstly, the groups displayed in the diversity reports are women at Apple, and the ethnicity of its employees. 

One issue I see with the diversity report is that it lacks details like age for example. For a diversity report that is supposed to be about inclusion, it also does not mention anything about other groups like veterans. They mention that they have an LGBTQ+ staff but Apple didn’t include any logistics pertaining to them. In other words, it seems like a report that was thrown together to make the company look good.  

A visual relationship I see with the infographic design is that the website and infographic uses the San Francisco Pro Text font. It is the default font used throughout all of Apple’s devices. The key points of the points on the webpage are presented with the same text but they’re enlarged and bold. Another example of the design continuity is the grey line for the overall representation; it matches the grey color of the Apple logo.

Figure - Publication Design

The elements of this page are organized through a repeated pattern and alternating rhythm. The emphasis is placed on the orange art as its color and size makes it the focal point of the page. The text columns following it are organized around it. 

Figure - Typographic Hierarchy

The hierarchy of the information of the book cover immediately begins at the top of the cover. This is apparent by the fact that the title contains the largest text font, and is given an aggressive color. It is then followed up by text that are smaller texts that vary in sizes. 

Figure - Ascender

If we imagine a mean line, the H would be above the mean line which makes it an ascender. 

Figure - Descender

Like the the ascender, if we imagine a mean line, the lowercase g would touch that exact line, and it would also fall under a baseline which makes it a descender. 

Figure - Counter 

The “D” in den is a counter letter as it contains an enclosed space inside of it. 

Figure - Crossbar

The “A” contains a horizontal stroke at its center which makes it a crossbar. 

Figure - Large X Height

This one is a different use and example of x-height; the lowercase letters are slightly lower and smaller but not in a significant fashion. This example has a larger ascender while having a slightly lower cap font. 

Figure - Small X Height

This example is the opposite of the previous x height example. This a large “H” ascender that establishes the lower cap height font. It also contains a series of 3 descenders letters in the word “Happy” as well.

Figure - Modernist

This reminds me of a modernist design mindset because the information that is communicated is clear, and concise. It is combined with a simplistic silhouette of a birthday cake.     

Figure - Something More 

I feel that this welcome mat implies a double meaning. Due to the text being overlayed over an outline of Michigan; we can say that the “home” it’s referring to is Michigan instead of the actual home the mat is on. It could also mean both.

Figure #1 - Teas

This also uses proximity and repetition, the spacing and arrangement are the same. The drinks were placed in the middle and are the largest objects in it which makes them the focal point of the advertisement.

Figure #2 - Gift Card

The gift card was made using proximity, repetition, and color contrast. The flower is the focal point of the card because it’s the largest object, and its pink color makes it stand out from the background. It is complemented by 3 bees that are similarly spaced apart.  

Figure #3 - Available Now!

I chose to use this for the scavenger hunt due to the colors used. While the message is placed in the middle “available now” is given its own unique color to give it more emphasis against a lighter color (light blue) background. Some of the text also contains its own unique typography. It also features repetition in the background with the stars and the two jewels in the middle. The stars also contrast each other because some stars are outline while others are completely solid.

Figure #4 - Leaves

This one uses proximity, repetition that makes two recognizable objects. We see a series of leaves that vary into two shades of green, and have similar spacing. The leaves are arranged to make a heart.

Figure #5 - Juice

This one uses the concept of scaling. The focal point of it is the drink one the left as it is the largest object which makes it appear closer to use in comparison with the fruit. The fruit is smaller which makes it feel like it is further away from us.

Figure #1 (Drinks) - Complementary Colors

This uses the concept of complementary colors; the colors used are various hues and saturation of red/pink. The green peel is the focal point of the photo because it contrasts while complimenting all the other colors . 

Figure #2 - Analogous Colors

This uses the concept of analogous colors by using two different values of blues and a purple. 

Figure #3 (Banner) - Cool colors

This was a banner to advertise different color options for house paint. We can see five different values of blues were used to show off some of the options.

Figure #4 (Nail polish) - Warm Colors

In a similar manner to example one, we see that this image uses different hues and values of red. The first thing we’ll notice is the text which is the largest, and most attention grabbing portion of the image followed by 3 different colors of nail polish that correlates with Valentine’s day. 

Figure #5 (Blue ads) - Color Contrast

I’ve included two different advertisements that were designed in a similar fashion. Both colors utilizes different values and hues of blue. One is a typographical text and the other consists of figures wearing blue jeans, and  blue background that’s contrasted by the colors of the shoes. 

Figure #6 (Pink Sweets) - Gestalt principles

This image consists of a series of sweets that are closely aligned (promitxty) excluding one, while continuing the fill of the entire page (continuity). 

Figure #7 (Rules) - Figure-ground relationship

The red object takes up most of the space and appears closest to us. This is clearly designed intentionally to direct an onlooker to the reading the rules. The red is an immediate focal point when it is paired with various hues and values of blue. 

Figure #8 (Addias and Jordan) - Historical

Addias 

I photograph these Adidas ads for the release of their superstar shoes that have history within the sneakerhead culture. The ad is made to sell and advertise the shoe during its 50th anniversary this year. This shoe was infamous within basketball and hip-hop subculture. 

“The shoe was made famous by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Queens hip-hop group Run DMC.” - Addias Official Website. 

Jordan

The Jordan logo/icon is based on Michael Jordan's iconic recreation “Jumpman” pose. The pose originated in a photo shot of him in the 1984 Life magazine. In the photo, he wore new balance shoes that time, before he had the brand deal with Nike. A year later, he recreated the pose in another photoshot and that became the logo that we see now.

Overview

For my second scavenger assignment, I decided to use and breakdown a series of nature theme art work I saw. These paintings resonated with me because it reminds me of what the film said. It’s learning another way to “see”. This also is an example of the saying “art imitates life”  Most of these paintings are based on realistic patterns found throughout nature. Some of the concepts and techniques used were reputation, contrast, scaling, lining, and spacing. These paintings utilize contrast through its exclusive use of the two neutral colors black and white. Our eyes will immediately look at the shapes made and our minds will decipher what the shapes are. 

Figure #1 - Tree Bark

This painting resembles a chopped tree bark. The pattern is made through a combination of dots, lines, and distorted triangular shapes. Depending on where the shapes are placed, they are either larger or smaller. The usage of contrast through scaling creates a nice overall sense of balance for the painting. 

Figure #2 - Palm Leaves

This painting resembles a series of palm leaves. The painter creates a sense of symmetrical balance by evenly spacing the leaves apart. The painter also aim for the leaves to have the same shape as much as possible. Furthermore, there’s a slight sense of contrast with some stems of the middle leaf, as some stems are painted lighter than the others. 

Figure #3 - Lipstick Pattern

This was painted in a similar manner to the leaves. It’s hard to determine whether the author internally wanted the patterns to slightly vary in composition. The overall spacing is the same but the size and shapes are not. This creates a sense of symmetrical and asymmetrical balance. 

Figure #4 - Leaf Close Up

This painting resembles a typical pattern we’d see on a leaf. One key difference between this and the other painting is that the background is black while the painted pattern is white. There’s a sense of repetition through the pattern painted that is also followed by a dot larger than the individual patterns. This is connected by a slightly smaller line. All these elements combined creates a sense of balance. 

Figure #5 - Leaf or Gate

Example #1 - Space Invaders Frenzy

This an example of interactive graphic design. This is a new, eye catching, aesthetic take and innovation of the classic 1978 video game called “Space Invaders”.  The screen of the game is surprisingly an arrangement of many small LED lights that glow, blink, changes colors, etc. This is an example of manipulating many smaller things into a great single object similar to the Trojan horse that was referenced.  This combination creates a new and unique way to play a widely known and renowned classic video game. It’s eye catching design and experience would entice onlookers and people passing by to spend $1 to play a game. 

Example #2 - Aunt Annie’s Logo 

I’ll specifically like the top portion of Aunt Annie’s Logo. The logo is a combination of two separate elements: halo & a pretzel. This creates an interesting room for discussion of an observer's interpretation. Perhaps the pretzels are so good that they’ll send you to heaven or vice versa. Maybe it pays homage to Aunt Annie’s tragic backstory. Either way, the graphic designers manipulate two recognizable shapes into a part of a greater piece. 

Example #3 - Don’t Sit Sign

Here is an example of communicative graphic designing. This is a simplistic sign that was made to convey a direct message, don’t sit in the cart. Since there’s a usage of neutral colors, the red sign and the thank tends to stand out more. This is followed by a simple illustration of what NOT to do. 

Example #4 - Box Surfer

This example is a combination of two concepts of graphic design: branding and object manipulation. The boxes were purposely designed in the manner it is presented. We can identify what is going happening by what the boxes form and the wave as the background. Secondly, the company’s branding is placed on four separate areas: head, arms, shoulders, and the surfboard. It’s a unique and eye catching way to advertise the drink by the company. 

Example #5 - Balls