Typography

For this typographical conveyance, I located an image of an ice cream cone and placed it in PowerPoint.  Then I proceeded to format, bend, and shape words in PowerPoint.  I used random fonts for the cone with shades of cream and tan.  For the chocolate, I focused on two primary fonts, and then incorporated a third font in the beginning "c" of the lighter brown.  Finally, I used two values of red for the cherry, with one font.  Once I was satisfied with the shape of the text, I deleted the ice cream cone image.  Then, I applied a gradient background with values of light blue.  Of course, the final step was the screen grab to upload to my blog.

Clarity
This theme should be fun.  Therefore, I incorporated random fonts, placed right-side up, sideways, and even upside down.  I think its interpretation is clear.  I could not decide if the cherry or the chocolate should be the focal point, and I am still not sure.  Since my values start dark with the cherry and proceed downwards to lighter shades of browns and then creams, I do not believe the colors distract.  If anything competes for attention, it may the first "c" fonts in my chocolate.  However, I think if this is used as a small graphic, such as above, it is okay.  I thought about making everything a single color to simplify it like the class example.  However, I thought the color portrayed fun and helped separate the different food parts.  While I liked the effect of the solid white background, I think my shape looks more like a torch.  I tried selecting a group and resizing, but that was a disaster.  However, the gradient blue distracts from the overall shape, thus making it appear more like an ice cream cone.

Audience
I think there could be two possible audiences for this project.  It could be used as a graphic on a menu, or advertisement for an ice cream shop.  Secondly, it might even be fun to use on an invitation to a party.  The demographics are almost unlimited.  Even dogs like ice cream, though I doubt a dog can decipher this. LOL!  If I wanted to change the tone, I could change the background.  A brighter hue might suggest more fun, but I need to be careful that it does not become a distraction.  Hopefully, anyone that views this visual will immediately sense the taste of ice cream.  Certainly, it should stand apart from the typical clip art ice cream cone.  I think it conveys fun, in an artsy way.  By varying the shades of color, it also adds dimension and texture.  If this piece were a person they would immediately drive to Kline's and stand in line for a chocolate cone!

Purpose
Again, I think this graphic could be used to sell ice cream or could stand alone on an invitation for informative purposes.  Therefore, it is both persuasive and informative.  I hope that the varied sizes of fonts in "chocolate" give the effect of swirls.  Also, I hope the round wordart depicts a "cherry" and the curved placements of "cone" give both shape and dimension.

HARTS Visuals

In this particular project I worked under the instructions of my group partners, Katie and April.  They are conducting the instructional design HARTS project for the Emmanuel Epsicopal Church.  Sometimes instructional designers face creative constraints due to the preferences and needs of a client.  Katie and April faced such challenges as their client desired simple, but informative materials, that would meet the approval of the parish.  Therefore, with instructions to keep posters and materials as plain as possible, we worked to create professional designs, especially through connected themes of color and font with added visuals that enforce the function of each.

Photographs 

These photographs depict the desired entrance for HARTS and the location for trash, respectively.  By muting color saturation and lighting on the entire photo except for the door and the trash bins, the emphasis of the designated points emerges.  Clearly the red doors and the earth-colored trash cans stand out.  Furthermore, the black font (Myriad Pro) provides additional information.  Photographs intended for instructional purposes should not be altered to the point that instruction may be hampered.  Thus, we let the photographs dictate our choice of color palette for the remainder of our designs.  Coincidentally, the red worked perfect for the emergency contact poster and exit map.  Next, we chose a complementary green, a few shades lighter than that of the trash can lid.  This allows for greater visibility of our black fonts.  Then we incorporated additional colors as necessary.

To what degree do the visuals...

• convey meaning:  The photographs incorporate text, but the text is not necessary to understand the intended meaning of the entry and trash bins.  The emphasis on color placement commands viewers' attentions.
• support learning:  Again, the simple emphasis on the doors and trash gives focus to the subject.
• incorporate CARP:  These photographs certainly incorporate contrast through colors and repetition in regards to our ongoing theme.  I suppose you could also state the proximity and alignment of the targeted items extend to the lower right sides of the picture.  However, this particular aspect of design will have a greater role in our other visuals.
• fulfill their purpose:  The visuals have met the approval of the client, and will benefit HARTS volunteers.
• express clarity:  The photographs are simple, but effective.  They gain attention without distracting.
• display professionalism:  The photographs follow our thematic approach, they move beyond the simple editing of photography, and they demonstrate a creative approach to make a point without the use of much text.
• achieve the goal:  They certainly reflect the simple and plain aesthetics as desired by the client.

Maps

Map-making requires an understanding of their intended concept, as well as knowledge of proportions, layout, and the effective use of icons defined through a key.  Our maps serve two very different functions.  The first is an emergency plan  and the second is a map to make kitchen use convenient, especially for those unfamiliar to the church.  Both incorporate our color palette and font.  Effective maps retain simplicity for ease of use.  However, the number of components, shapes, and layers were extensive to create the necessary designs.

To what degree does the emergency floor plan...

• convey meaning:  Here the visuals convey meaning, but some text is necessary for labels, i.e. "Fellowship Hall," "Entertainment," etc. Popular icons reflect "emergency" and "bathrooms" without the need for text.
• support learning:  First, the nearly transparent Google Earth screen grab quickly teaches orientation and direction.  The popular red and white icons reflect emergency symbols.  The lines denote the layout of each room, door placements, and specified emergency exits.  The bathrooms and trash are also represented with popular icons and a key acts as a reinforcement to define icons.
• incorporate CARP:  Here there was little room to experiment with the CARP principles. Our thematic colors of red and green offer contrast with the red denoting emergency.  We did use repetition of lines to create doorways, and arrows for entry points.  The separated key with the green background denotes important information that is placed just to the right of the title.  Overall alignment and proximity are defined by preset proportions based on a church map provided to the group. Text and icons in the key are aligned.
• fulfill its purpose:  The map fulfills the need for an emergency plan, and should be easy to comprehend by all.
• express clarity:  While the photograph in the background has the potential to distract, by making it less opaque, and then allowing the primary focus of the map to contain a solid white background, there is little distraction.
• display professionalism:  The icons do not go beyond everyday representations, simply because we wanted them readily understood.  However, the overall design of the map, layered with Google Earth definitely moves beyond the everyday depiction.
• demonstrate creativity:  Again, color and font coordinate with other visuals and the map displays creativity with its layered real-life background. 
• achieve the goal:  The client was pleased with the map and overall the color choice and contrasting background with a solid white map give it a pleasing aesthetic quality.

To what degree does the kitchen floor plan...

• convey meaning:  The kitchen map primarily relies on text labels to direct users to the proper cabinets more than a reliance on icons.  First, the key offers a photograph of the actual cabinets to denote the levels of the cabinets.  These are further coded by colors, again making use of our continued green and red, with added yellow that coordinates with our emergency poster.  Also proportional rectangles distinguish cabinets, a table, and appliances. 

• support learning:  First, although the inventory provides a guideline for learning, hands-on experience in the kitchen will certainly be the best teacher.  The map will be a time saving feature for anyone trying to locate a specific item.  It also serves as a reminder of the original location of items for restocking cabinets.  Rather than rely on directional cues (north, south, etc.), one can orient themselves to the kitchen through the visible blue markers.  For instance, if someone finds the stove, they can determine that the top cabinet to the right of the stove houses the measuring cups.  Therefore, the map will aide in ease-of-use, especially for volunteers unfamiliar with the kitchen set-up.

• incorporate CARP:  Again, like the emergency map, the contrasting color scheme adds contrast to the map.  Repetitive shapes denote cabinets and repetitive lines denote kitchen exits.  Again, alignment depended upon the already designed kitchen.  All fonts on labels are right aligned.  Proximity becomes the greatest challenge.  First, labels had to be small enough to fit within the page yet large enough to read.  Therefore, we placed label on the exterior of the map.  Additionally, the fonts for the appliances and tables were enlarged so volunteers can orient themselves quickly.  This presented a problem with the hyphenation of the dishwasher.  However, the size of the shape could not be adjusted to fit the entire word.  So we decided to compromise and allow the hyphenation.

• fulfill its purpose:  The visuals will be helpful for HARTS volunteers as they maneuver about the kitchen.  The client approved the design.

• express clarity:  Although the labels are quite colorful, by placing them on the exterior of the map, and by incorporating the distinct blue for designated spots, the interior of the map becomes the focal point.  Unfortunately, the inventory was already in place in the cabinets preventing any chunking or categorizing.  Volunteers will just have to scan the labels to locate items.  This was beyond our control.

• display professionalism:  The map moves beyond everyday representations through the use of multiple layers, simple cabinet shapes which retain similar proportions, contrasting colors, and the effective incorporation of the photo in the key.

• achieve the goal:  The map includes our color scheme and font.  Though the map serves a different purpose, the simple rectangular structures and exits retain similar qualities to those in our emergency floor plan.  It demonstrates the creative use of developing a plan for the use of a large inventory.  Its aesthetics and appeal relate to its function - the most significant factors for maps. 

 

Kitchen Directions

The kitchen directions had to fulfill chronological steps for operating a dishwasher and making coffee.  Both are intended to be posted to the wall.  Due to parish regulations, they had to retain the least amount of color, with simple directions.  April and Katie worked with the director to condense the amount of required text, although the amount of text desired still limited design options, especially with accompanying photographs.  Regardless, by color coordinating directions to specified shapes layered on the photographs, the posters are both functional and fulfill the client's requests. 

To what degree do the visuals...

• convey meaning:  visuals do convey meanings, and aid with the directions. Since specific written directions were required, the visuals could not be substituted completely for text.

• support learning:  While the visuals cannot substitute for text, they greatly enhance learning.  For instance, outlined shapes give emphasis to imperative steps.  Volunteers can easily determine the correct position for the dishwasher knob and can also connect the color-coded steps for making coffee to the visual representations.

• incorporate CARP:  First, the dishwasher's written steps are placed parallel to coordinating visual representations.  Text is left aligned for easy reading, Large visible numbers identify main steps while bullet texts reduces the complexity of each step.  The contrast of font size and color gives visibility to important information.  Repetitive red circles point to various parts of the dishwasher.  For the coffee directions, contrasting font sizes separate each distinctive step and color coding echos the shapes denoting specified locations.  Text is left aligned in an easy to read format and placed in single lines where possible.  Titles for both are in large bold fonts and steps are grouped in chronological order.  Both reflect similarities with font, placement, and color coding. It should be noted that on these directions the hue of the green had to be brightened to add contrast for better visibility with the required white background.

• fulfill their purpose:  Thinking back to our competency posters,  we were challenged to chunk things and create icons for memorization purposes.  These posters serve a different purpose.  Volunteers don't necessarily need to learn each step, they just need to be able to follow the steps in an ordered pattern.  Therefore, the simple top to bottom placement of text on the left in harmony with the shapes specifying particular points on the photographs fulfill the design needs of both the parish and the volunteers.

• express clarity:  The colors contrast but do not distract.  The numbered sequence is clear and concise.  The bold titles clearly capture the viewer's initial attention.  Fonts are large enough for posters that will be fastened to the walls.

• display professionalism:  Though simplistic in nature, these visuals incorporate color echo schemes, layering over visuals, thematic fonts and borders that give credence to a professional design.

• fulfill the goal:  Again the color and font continue to echo our theme. And the black border carries through with all posters to be hung on walls (although the border on the emergency poster is red for attention-getting purposes).  Both posters demonstrate the amount of creativity allowed by a parish with strict regulations.

The simplistic nature of the visuals do contain an aesthetic appeal and prevent cognitive overload.  They certainly are an improvement over the current instructions.  The concise directions with photographs eliminate questions that often accompany directions.  Efficiency and function define the success of our instructional posters.

Emergency Map 

The emergency contact poster's creativity was limited by two factors.  First, the director needed a plain poster with as little color as possible to meet parish guidelines.  Second, an emergency poster needs to focus on the information it wants to relate in a quick and easy-to-read format.  Also, it must convey a pattern or color that most people associate with "emergency."  Therefore, rather than create an elaborate poster with lots of design, we kept it straightforward.  

To what degree does this visual...  

• convey meaning:  The bright red and the mobile phone icon with "911" displayed on the face certainly designate the "emergency" purpose.  The accompanying text provides vital necessary information.  In addition, the HARTS logo signifies that this poster pertains to its organization, and is not related to the church or its congregation.

• support learning:  The names and phone numbers relay information. People will see the top "Emergency" visual with the bright red mobile phone face and the bold yellow emergency contact and immediately recognize its importance.

• incorporate CARP:  Contrast emerges between the bright red border and white background, the yellow "Emergency Contact" font and its gradient black background, as well as the black on white font.  Furthermore, the white "911" text on the red phone screen is visible.  All fonts are right aligned.  Though people read large amounts of text from the left to right, the right alignment allows us to keep our phone numbers aligned, and is simple enough to quickly grasp its information.  Likewise, by right aligning, the term "Call" stands directly above the phone numbers.  The red echos the borders and the face of the cell phone.  In addition, the font and colors echo our connected theme from other posters, maps, and photographs.  Here, proximity and placement were important.  The primary space used includes the top visual with text layered to denote "urgent" while the lower portion contains the necessary names and numbers.  By placing the phone at a slight downward/inward angle, viewers quickly connect it to both sets of text.  Nothing interferes in the center.  The border ties it all together within a rectangular space.

• fulfill its purpose:  The visuals meet the design needs.  First, the use of an up-to-date phone icon with the 911 logo and red gradient screen is a meaningful and popular representation for "emergency."  Second, the HARTS logo is thematic in their organization's information and is continued on the poster.

• express clarity:  The poster targets HARTS volunteers specifically.  It is not intended for church use.  By adding a logo one can understand this poster pertains to their organization.  Furthermore, we reduced the saturation and lightened the logo.  This places emphasis on the important information, does not distract, yet relays its intended purpose.

• display professionalism:  This poster does move beyond the ordinary red "emergency contact" with text.  First, the phone was an actual photograph of a cell phone.  By using the magic lasso to extract it from the picture, then applying the find edges tool in Adobe Photoshop, along with inserting a gradient red screen and applying the "911" white font, a more modern symbol for "emergency" was created.  In a day and age when people are terminating the use of corded phones, this up-to-date version can be recognized by young and old.  Then the HARTS logo had to be edited.  Also, the increased font size of both the "E" and "C" beginning "Emergency Contact" give emphasis to the visual.  Last, the subdued use of gradient in both the phone and black background give simple texture to the poster.  While the director specified a white background,  creative hints surface and the poster was accepted for use.

• demonstrate creativity:  The poster follows the thematic approach of our other designs.  Its colors of red and yellow coordinate, along with the fonts.  The major difference of this visual is the application of the HARTS logo.  This choice was made because it is the only visual designed specifically for HARTS.  Our other visuals maintain dual roles - for church use and volunteers of HARTS.

• fulfill its goal:  This visual is quite appropriate for its "emergency"connotation.  It gives emphasis in the correct places and the modern icon gives it an aesthetics appeal.  

   

   

  
  

Before and After HARTS posters

Before

After
This is the emergency contact poster that I specifically worked on for our HARTS project.  The icon of the before poster was supposed to represent an emergency push button.  My first attempt (located in the color section of my blog) looked like a sun.  This one looks like a knob.  Therefore, I decided to eliminate the button idea and create a phone instead.  I cutout an actual cell phone photo in Adobe Photoshop, applied a filter to find the edges, adjusted the hue, and then used the rectangular tool to apply a color style creating a screen.  Next, I applied the text "911".  Then I used color echo from the screen to create my border.  Next, I changed the font to coordinate with our theme, and right aligned the text so that the phone numbers would align for easier viewing.  Last, I added the HARTS logo, reduced its color saturation, and lightened it.  This completed my alterations to my after project.

Clarity
The message of this work is simple:  emergency.  The color red, the cell phone with "911" and the bold fonts and phone numbers work together to present a clear message.  Additionally, by allowing the phone to slightly drop at an angle beyond the initial background, your eye flows to the next set of text which is the information.  The HARTS logo is visible, but not distracting.


Audience
The target audience for this work is the volunteers at HARTS and anyone that may be participating or staying at the church.  I did not have direct contact with the director or church representatives.  My partners, Katie and April, conducted this project for another class.  Therefore, I worked under their directions.  I kept the poster as plain and white as possible, according to parish guidelines.  I believe this fits the typical emergency poster and is not misleading.  Therefore, the visuals, along with names and phone numbers set the correct tone, concept, and should evoke an appropriate response. 

Purpose
This poster serves an informative purpose. The client has approved its format and design.

                        











Before

After

This is the map that I designed for our HARTS project.  It was created in Adobe Photoshop by grouping various rectangular shapes together.  Then I created icons, defined in a separate key, which I placed at the designated spots from a guide that I worked from.  By saturating emergency symbols with a red hue, it contrasts for quick viewing.  In addition, I layered the map over a somewhat transparent Google Earth image for directional comprehension.  I coordinated the fonts and used color echo to keep with our thematic colors for our HARTS project.  I think the best addition to the after poster is the Google Earth photograph.  It is both informative and interesting.

Clarity 

While the main focus of this site plan serves emergency purposes, it also informs volunteers about entrances, restroom facilities, parking and trash take-out.  By using the bright red, the emergency symbols certainly draw attention.  Hopefully, the subdued green parking arrows and trash bin do not disappear on the map.  On the other hand, they should not distract from the emergency locations. I do not see how this map could be simplified more.  Simple was the key to our project due to parish preferences.

Audience

This map will be placed online and in a handbook for HARTS volunteers.  The icons, labels, and easy-to-follow floor plan should be sufficient for most audiences.   I realize in a true emergency, few people will stop and respond to a map.  It probably is more valuable for fire code and insurance purposes.  However, it also gives valuable parking and street information for new volunteers that may be unfamiliar with this church.  Again, I think the real life background sets this map apart from traditional floor plan sites.

Purpose

Again, this map is meant for informative purposes.  It conveys the locations of emergency exits, extinguishers, and alarms while giving additional info about parking, trash, and restroom facilities. According to my group members, the director was pleased with the map. The only thing that I may have changed was the lines denoting the each of the doors.  However, these were on the guide given to me, and I included them in case they were necessary for inspections.  I also tried reducing the key, but then it becomes to hard to read.  Overall, I was happy with the design.

Color Working With HARTS

For the H.A.R.T.'s project, the instructional design team needed a basic emergency contact poster. For both posters I created an icon that represents an emergency button.  For the poster on the left, I chose analogous colors, red, yellow, and orange.  The heaviest emphasis was placed on the red, which I fully saturated.  Rather than have a pure yellow in the background, I reduced the saturation giving greater contrast between the icon, text, and background.  Then, I allowed the border to retain the fully saturated red, again to add contrast.  Though it does not have a lot of graphics or design, its simple components give clear access to necessary information.

The poster on the right is much more subdued.  This poster contained red, analogous yellow, and complementary green.  For the circle icon, I included a sunburst style and then adjusted the hue.  I also added an embossed texture to outline the green rectangular background.  Finally, following the idea of a monochromatic variation, I drastically reduced the saturation of the circular icon and the background.  This places emphasis on the purely saturated red "Emergency Contact," as well as the contact information.  While the poster on the right certainly is not as bright, and does not grab you attention as quickly, it may suffice depending on the wall color.  It also fulfills the weekly color assignment.

Evaluating Components:  Connotation, Attributes, and Placement

Left poster (red on yellow):  Red has long been a color theme for emergency symbols, i.e. the Red Cross, emergency exits, stop signs, etc.  So red definitely works to gain attention.  The red circle behind the font is intended to appear as a button.  It does; however, it may also distract somewhat from the emergency title which should be the primary focus.  In addition, the red border could be lightened to further enhance the focal point. The fonts are simple and large enough to read.  The placement is my largest concern.  I experimented by first aligning the button to the left of the emergency text, and then ultimately decided to place the text on top of the button emphasizing a single focal point.  Of course, the black text underneath the icon is equally important.  Again, it is in a simple and easy-to-read font.  The yellow background box is not completely centered.  Additionally, although I chose a lighter shade of yellow, it still does not contrast enough with the yellow font.  It might have been wise to change the yellow font to bright orange.  Then, I could have still fulfilled the color component assignment and the "emergency contact" would appear much bolder.

Right poster (monochromatic variation).  First, I created this poster as part of the assignment.  While the church members may prefer a more subdued poster, it does not fit the theme of an emergency contact. The circular icon has lost its "button" appearance and looks more like a circle with a gradient fill, which it is.  Secondly, the rectangular backgrounds look more like mattes for photographs found in a scrapbook, than a poster on a wall that is supposed to quickly capture your attention. Again, the emergency contact and name fonts are easy to read and large enough for a wall. I realize I forgot to add a space between the "Call" and the names.  Maybe, the emergency contact could have been increased in size for better emphasis.  Overall, I don't think it is a good representation of what is needed.  However, like I said prior, it completes the second color assignment and offers the church a more subdued poster choice.

Clarity, Audience, & Purpose

Both of these designs are actually the "before" products for my HARTS visual.  Therefore, since I do not consider them finalized, please refer to my HARTS emergency contact visual for my responses.

Special Topics Presentation

Above are just a few screengrabs from our Visual Literacy Special Topics Presentation. We created an interactive kiosk viewing with PowerPoint and 5 hands-on boxes that incorporated our theme of visuals versus written reports in relation to war.  Rather than rearrange the news articles, we retained a similar placement and font to provide viewers with the most authentic experience.  In other words, we tried to make articles appear as though we had cut them out and placed them on the side of the box.  Secondly, on some pages we included a collage of pictures, while others were of a single visual.  By creating a connected layout, with colors (red and black), and a similar frame (appearance of burnt paper), we created a basic theme that gives emphasis to the emotion of war.  We repeated the colors and layout on each of the five boxes, as well as the PowerPoint visual.

Evaluating Components: Connotation, Attributes, and Placement

Certainly the color choice of red and black signify war.  Our largest challenge was the amount of text that was required for our demonstration.  Additionally, the arrows at the bottom were sometimes overlooked by viewers.  The initial arrow may have been created slightly larger to gain viewers' attentions.   I like our theme and the background of burnt paper allows viewers to easily read the text and see the pictures.  Of course, the screengrabs do not justify the three-dimensional boxes, but the font was large enough to read since viewers held the boxes in their hands.  However there is a chart (not shown) on one particular box that may appear somewhat small.

Placement also presented challenges, as did cropping.  In presenting the overview of a journalist, we realized that cropping, editing photos, and even adjusting brightness may alter the theme or intentions of the original photographer.  Therefore, rather than over edit, we tried to simply arrange the visuals.  In the boxes, all text was formatted like that in newpapers (left).  This makes it easier to read, especially with considerable amounts of text.  I think our challenges were less about placement and attributes, and more about how much is too much information.  How many disturbing visuals create a presentation that is too emotional heavy?  On the other hand, do we cover the truth?  In this particular assignment,  our toughest challenge was to balance effective photographs with effective text.