Conceptual Framework

For this assignment, we were asked to design a visual for the competencies in the COE conceptual framework. It had to be in a poster format so that students could see them hanging up and easily recognize what is being said. We had to create icons that were simple and visually appealing. For this, Carly and I chose the images we wanted to use and changed the colors to be purple and gold for JMU and then placed them in a bubble. Next, we had to convey a message about each competency so that students could easily recognize each competency. Making the icons was the easiest part of this assignment. The hardest part was aligning the words and icons on the poster to make sure they all fit and were readible. We wanted the icons to be the largest because that is what is most appealing to our audience of students. Another difficult part in this assignment was figuring out how we wanted to describe each competency with the space we were given. In the end, I am really pleased with how it turned out. 

Answers to Krause's questions

Connotation: The visual style of this component ties in with the theme of the James Madison Educational Program because the colors of purple and gold that we used. All of the icons are in the same format to convey the same goal of attracting students into reading our message on our poster. We made the title font a lot larger because it explains who the message is towards. We then used the same font for all of the conceptual framework descriptions. We bolded and italicized the words that were most important for that specific framework. For the framework words, we had them outline the circular icons that we made. As our poster was getting passed around to the class, it was nice to see that others perceived our message clearly and enjoyed our poster.

Attributes: I am extremely satisfied with the visual weight, structure, color and presentational style of the graphic elements on this poster. It goes very well with our backdrop of lined paper because paper is something we connect to school work. The icons stand out clearly as well as the words framing the icons. The color scheme of purple and yellow and placed throughout our poster. The intended audience can see the bolded words from afar, while the definitions are a little bit smaller. To grab people's attention, it is best to get to the point of what we want our audience to get from our poster. No one is going to read a paragraph for each framework, so we tried to keep it simple and to the point. 

Placement: We wanted the icons to be pretty large so they could call attention to the audience. Nothing on this poster is meant to be unnoticed, but there are things that are meant to stand out more than others. All the icons are aligned vertically, but the middle row is aligned differently horizontally while the other two columns are aligned horizontally as well. The title is centered and the captions under the icons are centered with the icons they are underneath of. Nothing on this poster should be further cropped, rotated, moved, sized or altered in any way.

Practice with photoshop

For this assignment, we were asked to draw a variety of shapes using the Photoshop shape tool. We had to experiment with shapes, color, style, and filters/texture. We also had to select part of a photography and remove the inverse to create colorful shapes. 

 This is the before and after of an explosion symbol. I changed the color from black to purple.

The black flower on the right is what the symbol started off looking like. I then added a style to make the flower more colorful on the left. 

I used music symbols for the last part of the assignment. I had to use a texture and in order for the texture to show up, I needed to change the color. This one is a little hard to see but I hope it is noticeable enough that I changed the texture on the right.

For this, we had to get a picture inside of a symbol and so I used oranges inside of a heart and again here is the before and after pictures.

Answers to Krause Questions: 

Connotation: Because these images didn't have to give off a certain meaning, it is hard to answer a lot of these questions. The colors I chose though were not completely random and do give off the colors as if the shapes were real. For example, the color of the explosion I changed to purple, which can come off as a firework. The fun colors of purple and pink that I made the flower reminds me of spring. Music notes aren't typically a pink texture so it is hard to say whether this gives off a meaning. With a pink texture, I think of a girls night of singing and dancing. For the oranges in a heart, I think of an advertiser trying to sell oranges to an audience. If I was thinking about meaning before doing this assignment, I would have changed my color choices, but overall I do think these colors, styles, textures, and inverses' could give off a certain meaning.  

Attributes: I am satisfied with how my shapes came out. The audience can easily see my shapes and it is readable on a white backdrop. These designs can be presented in a wide variety of sizes and in various sorts of media because they are simple designs. The heart with the oranges though would only be able to be used for a fruit advertisement or a summery drink. They are not too funky where they wouldn't be able to be used, but they all can't be used for the same thing. 

Placement: The shapes that are not black should be the most noticeable in this assignment. If these were to be placed within a layout, the elements should not be further cropped or rotated. They are a good size unless they are to be the main focal point or a smaller focal point. It really depends on what the layout would be for. 

Gesalt Assignment

The Gestalt theory was develobed by Wertheimer, Koffka, and Wolfang in the 1920's. It is related to visual perception, which is the study of shapes and patterns. The concept is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. For this assignment, we were asked to portray four principles. The four principles we had to make using shapes include closure, proximity, similarity and continuity. 

For the principle of closure, we had to attach meaning to visual displays. I decided to use the sun shape in PowerPoint with a circle overlapping the sun to make the triangles stand out. If I wanted to, I could have used only triangles to create the same display. This shows closure because the triangles are touching and closing up on a circle.

For the principle of proximity, we had to group things that are physically close to one another, in a meaningful way. I decided to use hearts that were aligned evenly and equally all the way around. The first group are spread out more than the second group of hearts, but they both create a square.

For the principle of similarity, we had to group similar objects together in a meaningful way. This one is my favorite. I decided to use the squiggly shapes to connect the shapes. I used the same shape, but made the middle row larger and connected compared to the top and bottom row that are separated into four shapes. 

For the principle of continuity, we had to look for unity in objects. I decided to use a line that connects a square and then another line. This makes the objects flow together as one. 

Answers to the Krause questions:

Connotation: Each design I made ties in with the principle that I wanted it to convey. I didn't want to overcrowd any of the designs, so I tried to keep them simple. By looking at the designs and knowing the principles I had to do, I think everyone would be able to match up each principle to each design. The closure design uses two symbols to create a boundary. The proximity design has perfect alignment that is equal all around making it meaningful.  The similarity principle is cool because it uses the same shape, but they are different sizes. They align evenly as well, but the rows are different in that they 1st and 3rd row are aligned equally from side to side and up to down while the 2nd row is the same, but there aren't extra spaces in the middle of the shapes. The continuity design reflects a continuous motion. The line connects to a square, which connects to another line. This gives a flowing motion. I do not think any of the designs are projected in a way that could be seen as too specific or overly broad.

Attributes: I am satisfied with the visual weight, structure, color and presentational style of my graphic elements. I haven't thought about adding color to this assignment because I needed to portray a principle and did not think it was necessary to add color, but I'm sure I could have made my designs more interesting if I did. If these designs were placed in a larger layout, each design could fit in well with the color scheme because black goes with mainly every color. Placing these on a backdrop with a dark color though would not work best. The size is easily readable for the audience, being my classmates and teacher. I could make the size of these images larger or smaller depending on what they were going to be used for and have them still be readable.

Placement: All of the images I have placed on each principle are their for a reason and are where I want them to be. Each shape should be noticeable and they align in a certain way to portray the principle. I explained why I have my shapes where I do under my connotation answer. Each shape is aligned and grouped together in a certain way for a reason. For example, in the proximity example each heart is surrounded by another heart equally, unless it is on the edge. They are all grouped together to help convey the meaning of proximity, which means being near. Each of my designs can be rotated, moved, sized or altered in any way to be placed in a layout and still give off the same meaning.