Assignment #4 -- Visual/Verbal Integration

1. Effective Visual/Verbal Integration

This Axe advertisement is a good example of effective visual/verbal integration because it simply and clearly displays the brand, but also adds the persuasive idea that, "if you use this body wash, you will be found more sexy". However, the message and image that resembles an "s" is subtle, so that it is not too obvious or noticeable by children or those who the ad is not trying the target. Personally, I think it is a creative and unique play on words and display.

Source: http://vigilantcitizen.com/vigilantreport/mind-control-theories-and-techniques-used-by-mass-media/

The use of graphics and text in the advertisement are phenomeal. Is it eye-catching yet clear and organized. The information has a great flow to it and the contrast of the colors and the text itself creates good balance and harmony. I appreciated all of the elements that were contained in just one image because it caught my attention, and more importantly, kept my attention due to the lengthy vertical nature of the image.

Source: http://visual.ly/smoking-electronic-cigarettes-who-wins

This advertisement for DentaStix is incredibly effective in the way that it is clear and concise using the short phrase, "Against bad breath". The image is well-organized and easy for the viewer to understand. Moreover, I think this image is appealing to the eye because of the different colors used and the layers within.

Source: http://www.desiznworld.com/2013/08/humorous-print-ads.html

2. Ineffective Visual/Verbal Integration

After viewing this image and reflecting on what I know about the athletic brand, Nike, this ad was extremely ineffective. Ultimately, the image displays a young boy urinating on the wall and I thought to myself "What does Nike's slogan 'Just Do It' and their market of athletic apparel and equipment have to do with this?" The two elements, the image and the text, have nothing to do with each other, making the viewer confused and the ad ineffective.

Source: http://gbenard.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/the-conspiracy-of-the-brain/just-do-it/

This second example of visual/verbal integration was also extremely ineffective mainly due to the irrelevance of the different ideas presented and the fear tactics involved. The image is that of a man with a gun to his head and alcohol in the background, text that reads "Kids shouldn't watch too much TV", and the LEGO logo. Mentally, you can put together the message that LEGO was trying to get across, but visually, it is a great failure. Essentially, considering children are those who play with the toy, LEGO's, this image is way too vulgar and graphic for them. 

Source: http://speckyboy.com/2009/03/16/39-creative-lego-advertisements-creativty-without-bricks/

This third example of visual/verbal integration is ineffective because it confuses the reader as to what to focus on and what message the image is presenting and how it correlates to the text. Having viewed this ad, I decided that the relevance is nonexistence. This image of the two young gymnast girls who appear rather exposed advertising ice cream with the words, "Lickable" gives the viewer a sense of distaste, and is essentially ineffective because the message remains unknown.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-krassner/the-ice-cream-for-pedophi_b_19715.html

Assignment #3 -- Design Principles

1. Balance

Visual balance is the state of objects in a composition having equilibrium. This particular example contains symmetrical balance and more specifically vertical balance because the image is balanced the same above and below. This balance is achieved through the means of reflection, as the fireworks are reflected off of the water below.
Source: http://stylefrizz.com/201212/happy-new-year-2013/

2. Contrast

Contrast occurs when two related elements are different. In this example, contrast is created through the use of color. The three main colors in this image are hot pink, green, and yellow. By having the apple in a bright green color and the text in a yellow color on the hot pink background, major contrast results. 

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bang/handson/posters.shtml

3. Emphasis

Emphasis involves the most important element on the page based on the visual message, also know as "focal point". Moreover, emphasis relates to the first thing the eye sees on a design. In this example. it is obvious that the first thing the eye sees is the words "yes" because first, the text is large, and second, the text is in a contrasting color -- purple. The date in this wedding announcement also has emphasis placed on it because of the bold text and purple color again.
Source: http://indulgy.com/post/f47Hm1skR1/save-the-date

4. Rhythm

Rhythm involves the idea of how different elements combine to produce the appearance of movement. This is an example of the outside of the Florence Cathedral. This structure creates rhythm through the repetition of pattern, shapes, and textures. These elements give the eye an appearance of motion, especially with the contrasting shapes such as circles, squares, diamonds. Ultimately, these elements create an organizational flow in which the eye moves from point to point.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral

5. Unity

Unity presents a sense of wholeness which results from the successful combination of different elements. In this example, the different shapes of the dishes and the organization of the image in regards to the balance contribute to the unity and sense of completeness and oneness. Moreover, the color and repetitive nature of the items pictured contribute to the feeling of unity.
Source: http://www.shillingtondesignblog.com/loveTheseGuys/56/v/grid/category_id/love_these_guys/ViewPosts_page/5

Assignment #2 -- Color

1. Monochromatic

A monochromatic image is composed of one hue with any number of its corresponding tints and shades. In this example, purple/violet is the one hue being used throughout the image. However, to completely identify this image as monochromatic, it also contains different tints and shades of the purple hue. The horizon/sky in the photo has a purple tint, whereas the ground is a darker shade, with the silhouette of the camel and man being the absolute darkest shade of purple that exists in the painting.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Kf9g7dMUMv3dAR8eYKLelwfyPozEO-VOJVNDhA3lQ0OEj5httS6TEUPnG5t7YWQPoBYSUA434OtWejppFdGwTeCOSWZO0PkEwqVEfHMs73DcNtaQ2eeTHPzwNtsaJQhjCeV4kVN_t6s/s1600/IMG_1753.jpg

2. Warm/Cold Contrast

Warm-cool color contrast in interesting because cool contrast depends upon the context of the surrounding colors. So in this example, I personally perceived the yellow background to be the cool color, as it was the brightest portion of the image and the aqua/purple/black colors to be that warm colors, probably because of the presence of the black. Ultimately through this warm-cool color contrast, the subject of the image is easily detected.

Source: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/33/e1/84/33e1848e94ebf2c4ad16571098e514f8.jpg

3. Cultural Meaning of a Color

In South American culture, green represents death, especially that of the green dense jungles; whereas in Western culture, and countries such as the United States and Ireland, green represents good luck and is a religious color. The dramatic difference between these two meanings in regards to the same color are on opposite sides of the spectrum, which is interesting. However, that further explains the differences in culture across the globe.

Source: http://www.larando.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/deforestation-foret.jpg

Source: http://blogbydonna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/4-leaf-clover.jpg

Assignment #1 -- Gestalt Principles

1. Similarity

Similarity involves the idea of objects looking similar to one another and the ultimate perception of the objects' placement as a group or pattern. In this example, the white rubber tips of these Converse sneakers create the appearance of a circle when placed close together. Similarity leaves the viewer has the potential to eliminate unpredictability through the establishment of pattern and likeness.

Source: http://fancy.com/things/281621049/Converse-Chuck-Taylor-All-Stars

2. Continuation

Continuation is defined as the compelling of the human eye to move through one object and continue to another object. In this example, one's eye moves from the liquid in the Coke bottle to the leafy-green vines that continue out of the top of the bottle. The liquid is viewed as one object and the resulting raspberry vines has the other object.

Source: http://smashingspy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Raspberry-Coca-Cola_thumb.jpg

3. Closure

Closure is when a figure is completed due to items being grouped together. In this example, though the letters in the words are missing so-called "required" lines to complete the figure, the mind can still distinguish the letters as they are, and learn that the poster reads, "THE FUTURE IS UN-WRITTEN". I enjoyed this example because it was simple, yet stimulating.

Source: http://blkaesthetic.blogspot.com/

4. Proximity

Proximity is when elements are placed close together and tend to be perceived as a group. In this example, proximity is used as the wedges of cheese are fit so closely to on another that they form a group. It is easily distinguishable that the five wedges toward the top of the advertisement form one group while the bottom five wedges form another group. Moreover, closure is also identifiable in this image because the wedges being grouped resemble that of a set of teeth. 

Source: http://journalism273.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/gestalt.jpg

5. Figure/Ground Relationships

Figure-ground is when the eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. In this example, this "key ring" would be identified as the figure, where the blade of the keys reveal silhouettes of female facial profiles. The ground would be the dark blue background that gives way to the revealing of the figure/figures present.
Source: http://patrickgeorge.biz/news