WK 15 Blog Exercise - Interactions Between the 3 Levels

WK 15 Blog Exercise - Interactions Between the 3 Levels

a.  Find an example of design related to your area of interest (industrial design or visual communication design) that CLEARLY demonstrates ALL THREE levels of visual design communication/reception - the representational level, the abstract level, and the symbolic level.
b.  Post at least one image of this example.

c.  Below this image(s) write an analysis of each level like this:

Representational
- identify what role it plays in the whole

- describe what kind of impact it has
- how it relates to the other two levels
Abstract

- identify what role it plays in the whole

- describe what kind of impact it has

- how it relates to the other two levels
Symbolic

- identify what role it plays in the whole

- describe what kind of impact it has

- how it relates to the other two levels

NOTE:  This is an opportunity to practice the vocabulary covered in the book and lectures.  You are also evaluated on your ability to recognize an example of design that employs all these levels and how they are working.

 Representational -
This image of Sony Speakers, in their general shape for desktop speakers, holds truth to their compact size, style of Sony, and very straight forward design. This is a photo graph showing their size, shape, showing them in true reality for consumers to purchase. Further more, this communicates to the viewer that they are a certain size and when joined next to a monitor(for instance), you can see their relative size in the scale of things. The impact this set of speakers has on a person depends on what they are in search of, do these speakers provide what they want out of a set of desktop speakers? Abstractly, from a different view point, these speakers are a the accumulation of many years of research and what Sony thinks is the most basic form of their speakers. Take for instance, large audiophiles would have racks and racks of amps and hardware to support their listening habits, however, these speakers are the most basic form of speaker and coil, no amps, no birds nest of cords and all in a small package. Symbolically, these speakers boasts the name of Sony, right smack on the top! Doesn't get any clearer than that!

Abstract -
The image above shows the underlying abstract structure of a typical desktop computer set up, minus keyboard and mouse. A monitor and computer speakers to the sides. As typical as it may sound, keep in mind that the general population has their computers set up this way, almost as if we were all pre-programed to set up our computers this way. The abstract image above provides small details to show that the speakers are in fact speakers, their stands, buttons and horn cover. Representationally, the image depicts two boxes next to one huge box, further showing that they are speakers by placing buttons on them. Symbolically, they are also speakers by what the general populations should think a desktop computer set up should look like.

Symbolic -
In general, the speaker symbol we most see often on the back of computer mother boards, this symbol tells us to plug the speakers into this jack. Very basic design elements used here, curved lines to symbolize sound and a cup like figure to make a speaker. This symbol is recognized world wide, it is remembered and reproduced under little change in size, its full impact is still there with the image on the abstract level.

Week 14 - Application Exercise

Week 14 Application (Blog) Exercise

 Through photographs, we are able to obtain real life images of what we know, and how bikes look. Two wheels, pedals, a human with helmet and the frame of a bike. One tire slightly out front of the rider and one slightly outback. The photograph is true to proportion and the surrounding portions beyond the bicycle are what seems to be real, according to the photograph above, the bike is also moving with speed, the blurriness expresses movement across the lens of the camera.

We may take things from reality and place them in to our minds. Forever we will remember the shape, color, design, and features of certain objects. Representing real life with what we know, a simplification of what we known down to distinct lines and curves to re-create the image. Take here, blown glass, bulb and string to recreate the abstract image of a bicycle. Although we see a bike, it is not actually a bike, but just blown glass to look like bike.

The only other image i could think of for symbolism relating to bikes, is the bike lane. We see them everyday in life and besides the bike lane signs (posted on poles) this happends to be the most world known image for bikes. Two circles and a human stick figure. Nearly abstract image of a human riding a bicycle, but also a symbol for bike, "bike lane". There is no high volume of detail included in these examples of bike lines. One feature to note, bike lines usually have a big colored (usually white in america) line next to it. Universally known, this image is not mistakable for anything else.

Week 12 Blog Exercise / Visual Techniques

Intricacy, irregularity, activeness, and boldness.

My planned course of study, industrial design. Although foot ware may not quite fall in to "industrial design" per se, the ethics and design process behind the things we wear everyday have a huge impact on how we go about our lives.  The Air Yeezy above, probably one of the most highly coveted shoes among the vast list of shoes for collectors. Their unique materials and INTRICACY make them what they are, from their glow in the dark soles to the lace straps, these shoes have seen the design process through and through.

Regularity, stasis, economy, and balance.

 On the way other side of the spectrum, the Van slip on has probably been the best wide and known sell over the entire world. The design, slip on, exactly what they are, easy to wear and no laces! Simplicity plays a huge part in the design of these shoes. Though the shoes are very Regular(ity), they pose as a standard foot ware for most young adults, fashionable and never goes out of style.

The above shoes shave a couple visual techniques, each on the extremes of each other. Irregularity and regularity, you'll often see people wearing Vans on the street, while Air Yeezy's will probably be seen stowed away in a closet. Economy and Intricacy, the van has very minimal use of line and is very clean cut, while the Air yeezy has a ton of technically advanced materials, straps and air bubbles to keep the highlighted all the time. Balance, the Vans propose that shoes can too be balanced and look fashionably fresh and forward. Activeness, The Air Yeezys have a ton of things to look at, from the feel of the material, the straps, the high tongue and glow in the dark soles, who could resist? any Socialite wouldn't mind rockin' these to their next award show, sans taking away a bright moment in your career, ie Taylor Swift. If I didn't mention it, yes the shoes were designed by Kanye West,  ha!

Week 11 - Contrast Blog Exercise

Week 11 Contrast Blog Exercise

Input: Dondis Chapter 5 and Lecture


Find TWO (2) examples of design that relate to your planned course of study/profession, i.e. industrial design or visual communication design. ONE design example must demonstrate an effective use of contrast contributing to a successful design. The OTHER design example must demonstrate a lack of or poor use of contrast contributing to a failed design.

Above is an example of contrast which works very well for the form and function. Very stylish and sleek. These covers from Incase, tied mostly to Apple products and their electronics (my planned study of product design for hand held electronics). This contrast which works here is color. The bright red, baby blue and pink juxtapozed pop upon the black backround. The colors are also complementary to each other and help with the pop effect. This is an example of light and dark in contrast. Stars, shapes and lightning bolts assist the colors in achieving mischief in this design.This design is very appealing and wonderful to look at it.

Another part of cellular world, is the marketing and advertising portion of that business. Here is a sign with failed/poor use of color contrast. Sprint a very bold company has its colors marked out, yellow black and white, all work together to portray their image. However, these colors don't work very well for other companies, take for instance .... I can't even make out the words (to the right of the Sprint image). Here is where contrast fails to help promote a company through advertising. Dondis states that blue/green in turn are used to express far distance, while red yellow express expansiveness, in contrast these two colors juxtaposed, blue upon yellow ruins this image.

Week 10 Movement/Motion Blog Exercise

OPTION 1

Find 2 examples of design relating to your planned course of study and professional goals showing IMPLIED MOTION IN DESIGN, where motion/movement is suggested and is key to the success of the design but does not actually take place.

These designed works can be graphics in a 2D display (print or digital media) OR tangible objects such as product designs. No stills from motion media. These can be photographic images you take yourself or from magazines/books or the Internet.

For each of the 2 examples, include at least 1 image and a minimum of 8 explanatory sentences identifying how implied motion operates in the design.

 Here, again, we have cyclists on an indoor tract. These bikes are especially super light for this type of racing. Actual movement is focused on and toward the cyclist himself and the wheels turning. With each revolution of the pedals, the bike propels forward around the track. The motion is acceleration, the track is still and the camera is still, therefore the camera lens is trying to capture a moving object passing through the scene.

Track bikes often use very slender frames, suggesting for aerodynamics. Handle bars are also placed in a way to keep the cyclist in as thin as form as possible to reduce drag. Rear wheels, like the ones above are made out of carbon fiber and and usually single piece (no spokes) to reduce rear end drag, rear wheels being the driving wheels of the cycle. The graphics on the rear wheel represent a detailed segment, it allows people to tell when the cyclist is in full throttle or slowing down. Other graphics include lines along the frame, to suggest movement forward, you wouldn't have a bike with arrows going backwards, defeats the purpose.
These bikes are fast from factory, but take a real athlete to get them up to speeds unimaginable by the average human.

Week 9 Blog Exercise – Dimension/Depth/Space

 Back to Bike Frames
Here is a enviornmentally stable and hopeful design of a bicycle. Made of wood and also made in CAD, a rendering found on Gizmodo. The image explores several different dimension/space and perception parallels. Shadows below the tires give a sense of depth, the bike has shadows, there for it is standing up and blocking a light source. Relative size, we all know the average bike has the same size front wheel as the same size back wheel.  The frame itself has gradient texture, wood frame, we'll still be dreaming about this one to come true! Another depth clue is over lapping, we see the rear part of the frame in comparison with the arm behind the rear wheel, this gives the illusion of space between the two trailing arms. There is an actual prototype of this bike out there, but going to mass market? I just don't see it happening. "A Swan among Ducks"

Week 8 Application (Blog) Exercise: Tone and Color

Week 8 Application (Blog)  Exercise: Tone and Color

Find a design or technology example (related to YOUR interests, e.g. a poster, a book page layout, a website design, a program user interface, a tangible product design, a technology product, an animation on Utube, etc.) that features tone AND color as important ELEMENTS in how that example operates in relation to the user and the user's needs.

a. Analyze how TONE is operating in your example.

b. Analyze how TONE is interacting with ONE of the other visual design elements described in Dondis Chapter 3. Choose the elements that have the most interesting relationship to tone.

b. Analyze how COLOR is operating in your example.

c. Analyze how COLOR is interacting with ONE of the other visual design ELEMENTS described in Dondis Chapter 3. Choose the elements that have the most interesting relationship to color.


Post at least one image of the example and blog for at least 12 sentences. Practice using the terms pertaining to tone and color used in readings and lecture. If you can, include a Hyperlink URL to a source website where we can find out more about this application example.

 http://wonder-wall.com

For this week's example, tone and color, I want to share with you one of my favorite design firms from Japan, WonderWall. WonderWall its a complete design firm which has its roles placed in several different areas of design, from furniture to architecture, and retail store fronts to business offices. Their projects are known worldwide, mostly based in Japan and several in Europe, but only two stateside.

WonderWall uses to basic tonal value on its main page, very vibrant colors upon a white back laid canvas. Within the website design, there is a slight tonal change in value below the text, (e.g. Bape Cafe, lighter orange to darker orange) This plays in favor of the text, allows the text to have a more pop off effect, very slight but helps with viewing the text. The rest of the images also have many tonal changes, the photos they use have respect to basic photography, alot of tonal change and very good quality.

Tonal interacts with shape and form on this webpage, if you run your mouse over the images, a bubble like effect contours and manipulates the images. This changes the tonal values within the webpage, some pop and some are interesting to look at. The website offers a great interactive experience for the viewer.

Color has a very nice presence on the WonderWall website. The designer explore many different colors to label certain parts of the main image. The different colors distinguish the many products and services WonderWall has to offer. By clicking in to their Project List to > Project Category, it'll separate the colors in the categories by color. Color interacts with with the dimension and space of the website. The colors help by creating a visually tasteful website with little space. The colors are what helps the website with any sort of dullness (none in this case!). The colors are harmonious, when on the main page, the colors work together to create the collage.