cameryn

This piece of data visualization by Hanah Anderson and Matt Daniels over at "The Pudding" displays the percentage of screenplay dialogue within several Disney movies, broken-down by gender. The underlying agenda that this graph is trying to portray is that women are no often presented equivalently compared to men. I found this interesting, because the point that is being proven is that women are often not focused on, yet with movies like Mulan, due to its story, that are a higher amount of male characters (Mulan going to war with men), yet the story unfolds to reveal her as a female, showing that women can be as courageous and strong as men. In a way, this piece of data visualization allows graphic design to "lie" about its lack of feminism.

Fortunately, I have quite a few products from Target's brand, Up&Up. I found that comparing two of its products works well to note the typography, color, or just arrangement of the graphic design to have each product stay within a consistent style. The design that sticks out the most to me is the sans-serif type, as Target in general maintains this typography through the entire store. Not only this, the arrangement of large header that explains the product, information about the product underneath it and to the left of the design, and an illustration or image that in some way represents the product to the right. Of course, we have the brand logo in the left hand corner, as well.

GD260 Module 5 - Cameryn Hatfield

The image that I used to give example of denotative meaning was this advertisement for a new scent at bath and body works. From this, we can denote that there is a new scent, and that you can purchase this in candle form, soap form, etc. This is the direct message being sent to the viewer.

2. Looking further into this advertisement, we can notice a few things that could be connotative, or give away further meaning. Similar to what we talked about the meaning of the "rose" for the social viewer, we can see various fruits and flowers placed amongst the products. Not only does this hint at the fact that the scent would have notes of fruit or flowers, but the pink hue of the piece connotes thats its 'sweet', 'light', or even 'fresh.' Furthermore, we can associate these things with 'love' or a positive feeling in general.

3. This is an example of an icon placed within graphic design. This handicap sign give a relative comparison between the signifier (someone who is handicap) and signified (the drawing.) With this, we can socially assume (without looking at the text) that there is an object nearby that is accessible for handicapped persons.

4. This elevator button is example of a piece of design that represents the indexical function. The signifier (drawing) is directly related with signified (in this case, a fireman's hat) in that it looks exactly like the object. With this button, the indexical function allows users to know that if they press this button, a fireman will come to help.

5. On the back of a pretzel bag, I found this example of symbolic function within design. This is a socially denoted symbol that would not allow the user to know its meaning if they did not understand its connotation. Because we are social beings, we have marked this symbol as "recycle", yet without the social aspect, it would've just read to us as three arrows, or a loop. Yet, this is why it is considered symbolic.

Rhythm in Publication Design - This coffee table book about psychic self-care consists of a constant rhythm in publication design. It does this by maintaining a steady typeface, warm color scheme, and small drawings that enscript each page. Not only this, but the overall theme lines up with a "witchy" aesthetic in general.

Typography Hierarchy based on size - In this image, we can see a great example of font sizes being used to emphasize which part of their message they want to communicate the most. "Wearing Your Mask" is the most bold and large in size, making the users eye draw right to it (and in turn, encouraging mask wearing to be the first thing they think when they see it!) Not only this, but other text is thin and small in comparison.

A letter with an ascender - This letter "b" from a package of chocolate mini eggs has an an ascender, as it rises above x-height.

A letter with a descender - This letter "y" from a HydroFlask water bottle has a descender, as it drops below x-height.

A letter with a counter - This letter "a" from a Raisin Bran cereal box has a counter, as the loop for the letter is prominent.

A letter with a crossbar - This letter "A" from a theater show poster, in which a crossbar lives within it. Crossbars seem to most commonly be found in the letters 'A' and 'H'.

A font with a comparative large x-height - This font found on a Essentia plastic water bottle, we can see that the x-height is very similar to the ascenders comparatively. You can clearly see this between the letters 'n' and 't'.

A font with a comparative small x-height - This script like font type, which is a notable signature of a famous artist, utilizes strong contrast between x-height in its ascenders. We can especially see this in the comparison between 'r' and 'h'.

Modernist Font - We can see in the recycling flier a somewhat "modernist" font. This is exemplified by the very clean, sans-serif letters. This promote cleanliness and trustworthiness to the user, as well as good visibility for providing better accessibility.

Font being used to connote something more than is typed - In this poster, I have found that the boldness and sans-serif is almost ironic when it comes to the context of the poster. It states "DONT STRESS THE LSAT" but because the font is so strong and clean, its almost as if the poster is yelling at you to think about it. I found that this worked for the problem of "connoting something more" as it implies that thinking about the LSAT should be stressed on, or at least thought about.

Module 3 - Cameryn Hatfield

Image 1 - Complementary Colors: This tea tin uses the complementary colors of orange and blue. This contrast in color draws the eye to the ornate details on the side, in this example, the blue seems to stand out compared to the bright orange on the rest of the tin. This high contrast also creates brilliance that helps it attract the eye.

Image 2 - Analogous Colors: In this case of the Vinyl cover for "Songs in the Key of Life", the analogous colors on this object are attempting to make the design in the middle more prominent. It does this by cascading the colors down into the middle of the design, getting lighter in only one color as it descends.

Image 3 - Cool Colors: For the book cover of "The Bahamas Murder Case," we can notice there are many cool tones on the page, focusing on blue, green, and cyan. The use of this color palette is attempting to evoke a "tropical" or "ocean-like" feeling to communicate that the setting in which the event occur in the book are at an area near the sea.

Image 4 - Warm Colors: On this page, we can find a graphic design piece that makes commentary on the period poverty issues within Mexico City. The red not only symbolizes the color or blood, which is associated with menstruation in various peoples, but also evokes feeling within the viewer. Vivid reds are often associated with fear, fire, or very strong emotions which fits along with the purpose of the piece very well.

Image 5 - Contrast: The front cover of the book "Slaughterhouse Five" uses bright contrast to have components of the work stick out on the page. In this case, the Skull drawing is the first thing our eye is drawn to, which insinuates that this book might be enclosed with the ideas of death or dying.

Image 6 - Gestalt Principles: I chose this piece of graphic design, a poster in my room, as an embodiment of some gestalt principles. We can see in this piece some similarity between each of the hands on the page, giving good figure and slight symmetry. Yet, something that struck me was the proximity and closure of the piece, its positioned in a way that is somewhat 'opened' to the viewer feels as if they are placed in the middle of these hands.

Image 7 - Figure Ground Relationship: In this piece of graphic design, a figure ground relationship is seen with the spartan helmet contrasting against the green background. This design stands out not only in a form of the contrast, but as a important figure for the community that it is involved in.

Cameryn Hatfield - Module 2

Image 1: The front of a Tote bag I purchased in France. I think this is an interesting example of contrast, as the scale of the word "Angers" is huge against the delicate details of the drawn city. Not only this, the spacing being in close proximity gives notion that is word is almost towering over the city, denoting it the name "Angers."

Image 2: This is the lid of a box of POSCA paint pens. I noticed that the scale of the word "POSCA" contrasts all other text, leading the user to the brand name immediately. Not only this, but the spacing of the other words being so close to the logo almost leads the eye right into it.

Image 3: This is the book "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut. I found the varying kinds of text is one thing that created contrast here. The large, blocky, sans-serif letters clashing against the scribbled script of the title is really compelling, and even plays with texture a bit.

Image 4: This is a Speed Limit sign I found on the street. This one was fun because its so hidden, but obvious. The scale of the 35 is much larger that the words "speed limit" because the human brain is trained to associate a number they see on the road with the speed they are going. Because this, the information they want to portray the most is the largest/can be seen the most, and create contrast between the words and the numbers.

Cameryn Hatfield - Module 1

Image 1: A nearby bus stop. Uses type and imagery to convey its purpose as a bus stop. Provides large, sans-serif letters so a driver or person is able to see it from afar.

Image 2: Overland Vintage Car advertisement. Uses imagery, line, color, and text with the purpose to catch a buyers attention. The bright orange pop of color is meant to make the clean, black car drawing stand out. Images of people are added, perhaps to persuade the audience that it is a car meant for the people.

Image 3: The cover of a pack of colorful construction paper. Uses all the shades of color to convey what is inside the pack. The typeface of the logo an title have a chubby/safe appearance, perhaps to symbolize is it meant for children. Content explains exactly what is inside of the pack.

Image 4: A stop sign. Uses line and text to persuade the user. Uses large, sans-serif type to explain to the audience the action that needs to be done. The bright red color often strikes humans as alarming or noticeable, purposefully placed so people see it at the correct times.