Alignment Poster

This poster was created using Microsoft Word. The assignment was to create a poster with similar alignment to that of the poster on p. 85 in our textbook. All components are relatively aligned to each other in the poster. For example, the two columns of text and the one orange column at the top are both left justified, while the main title and "TOOTH&PASTE" are justified left and right. All of the text falls between the same left and right margins despite the two varying justifications. For the images (top to bottom), the top of the cap of the first toothpaste bottle is aligned with the top of the orange text paragraph. The bottom of the 2nd tube is aligned with the bottom of the text title. For the third tube, the bottom of the cap is aligned with the bottom of the "S". The lowest corner of the last tube is aligned with the bottom margin of the text.

The graphics are connected to the legible typography on the page due to their similar content. All typography, with the exception of the large "S", are serif fonts to unify them, while the "S" is san serif font to separate it from the remaining text. The same bright colors were used throughout the poster to also show a connection between elements. The alignment of the text allows the viewers attention to be drawn from the top of the page down. It appears easy to follow the column format. Priority, however, is given to the title and "TOOTH&PASTE" because they are in all capital letters.

Emphasis Using Color

Before

After

In the first image, the emphasis is placed on the changing trees. The line in the road is not the focus because its color is repeated in some of the foliage. I desired to make the road, especially the middle line, the emphasis of the image through color and making it the one element in the photograph that is focused on above all else. To do this in Photoshop, I lowered the saturation and lightness of the trees/background an extreme amount to make the vibrant colors disappear.

I road was left a light color so that it was differentiated from the background and still connected/grouped with the yellow line, but because it is still on the grey-scale, the line still sticks out the most. In terms of alignment, the line is equal distance from both edges of the road and the curve of the line follows the curve of the road. The color of the central line gives it priority over the other subject matter in the image.

Harmony and Emphasis: Instructional Challenge

Our assignment this week was to create instruction for a simple concept by creating a graphic. We had to keep harmony and emphasis in mind.

I decided to teach contractions by using 2 equations, one of pictures and the other of words. Connections between the two were displayed through color and placement. Harmony was created by connecting the different parts of the two equations together, utilizing repetition and echo of colors. Echo of colors is seen with each part of the equation. The cupcake without icing and the first word in the contraction are identical. The icing and the second word in the contraction are identical in color. The full cupcake and the contraction have both colors represented to show two separate things join to make a new whole. The plus and equal signs are repeated to show consistency between the equations.

The typography included is centered under each related image. This alignment was used to show relation between the elements of each equation and to maintain equal distance between elements in each equation. Priority in the graphic is given to the visual equation. The visuals are emphasized more by being larger so the concept of making contractions can be more easily understood by young learners.

Grouping Challenge

Before critique

Final Product

For this project we picked one word that described an aspect of our personalities and had to depict that word without actually using it anywhere in the poster. Can you guess my word? April, a fellow class member, peer reviewed my design and was able to guess that my word was "organized". Her suggestion for improving the coherency of my design was to make the red color more consistent throughout to form connections between the images, especially in the puzzle and checklist graphic. To do this, I changed another puzzle piece to a red that was in the same color scheme, while changing the other two pieces to a gray color to reinforce the text and binder hole colors. The checklist was given a more prominent red glow and was given the "sepia" effect to match the duller color scheme of everything else.

This poster was made in PowerPoint, and the images were drawn or taken from ClipArt. I made the background of my image a calendar by using the chart tool, drawing a red box on top, adding the text, and making three circles to look like hole punches. To me, a calendar symbolizes organization, as do all of the boxes which are included. The clock and checklist are also symbols for organization. The puzzle is showing how I like everything to fit together. The bottom image was created using five triangles. The proportions are constrained between them, but each is smaller than the one it is inside of. The triangles are organized in descending order by their size, the only difference between them. Because of the dark colored red of one puzzle piece and the color of "Prioritize" being different from all other font, these are the two elements of the poster that are given higher priority. These are given more emphasis to create meaning. If differing tasks or elements are prioritized so they can fit together, organization can be achieved.

Both sets of type (the days of the week and text in the lower left corner) are organized in a line with equal spacing between each word. Each word is center aligned to their respective calendar square to show consistency in keeping with typical calendar format. The black/grey and red colors are used throughout. The font is kept consistent as well. The actual text are all words that involve organization. Overall, the coherency in colors, equal spacing,  and the boxed design all lead to the common theme of organization.

Grouping with Shapes

For this assignment, we were given seven different words which we had to represent by using 10 images of the same shape. The goal of the activity was to use grouping, color, and size to visually depict each abstract concept.

To display unity using simple shapes, I chose to use 10 ovals. The ovals all touch at least one other oval and were grouped together to form an image of a flower. Their similarity in color, close proximity to one another, and coherence together in producing the flower image allows these ten different shapes to be unified together.

To visually depict "celebration", I used trapezoids. The longer of the two parallel sides is faced upward so that the largest part of each shape is at the top of the graphic. This aspect of the image, along with the long reflection effect is to give the illusion that the trapezoids are jumping, a typical expression of celebration. The different height levels and tilted directions of the shapes allow them to appear as though they are jumping to various heights and angles. They are all grouped in one line because they are celebrating together. Yellow is used as the primary color in the image because it is typically associated with happiness, while the black lines are used to separate the shapes from the yellow glow effect which was utilized to symbolize happiness.

By using shapes to depict the word "isolation", I first grouped nine circles into the form of a square. The are aligned with each other on every side and are neutral in color so they do not stand out, but they do form a coherent mass. The one circle that is far removed from the nine others is the one being isolated. It is given priority by its darker color, also showing it is not like the others. I was also given a pink glow to symbolize some form of shame or embarrassment.

"Escape" was created through the use of 10 outlines of squares. The largest square is black and symbolizes an area of confinement, so its different color and size are used to prioritize it. The rest of the shapes are all smaller and a light red color to symbolize exhaustion through their escape attempts. All of the little square outlines have been rotated to face in a direction away from the area of confinement. They also have a noticeable shadow behind them to give the perception of motion. The four in the larger square outline are still in confinement but are trying to escape, while the other five are "on the run." The bottom of the black square is in alignment with the bottom corners of the lower two "escaping" squares to provide an edge to the graphic.

To display intimidation, I used triangles of different sizes. The first nine were grouped together and stacked to look tall and overwhelming. The last triangle is much smaller, especially when compared to the stack. It was placed in close proximity to the group of triangles to really show the dichotomy between them. The base of the bottom white triangle and the base of the black triangle are aligned so the viewer's eyes are given a clear boundary of where the page ends. I chose to use black and white to relate intimidation back to times of extreme prejudice in the United States against African Americans. This can also be related to how many immigrants from Mexico, South America, and the Middle East currently feel like they are treated when entering and living in the borders of the United States.

Anarchy is defined as the lack of organization, government, or control. For this reason,  I used ten arrows pointing in all different directions. They are not unified by one direction or color, nor can they be easily grouped together in any way. They are randomly placed and colored to show they are without order.

Logic involves deductive reasoning and rational thought. For this reason, to display the word, I made ten triangles into the form of a flow chart. The top four triangles are dark green and beveled to show that they are four distinct categories (these could be ideas or observations). Three slender, light green triangles are rotated downward to look like arrows. These "arrows" show a connection in relationship between the four triangles on top and the three triangles on the bottom. The three triangles on the bottom of the image depict the three solutions or ideas that come from the four distinct categories on top. They are also darker green and beveled to show that they are categories and do not symbolize connections.