Three Levels of Visual Design in One Image

The Goal for Each Level

- Identify what role it plays in the whole design

- Describe what kind of impact it has for the user/viewer

- Describe HOW it relates to the other two levels

Representational

-A representation of a tower in the center serves at the focal point of the photo. Although we may not be able to read what this poster is saying, we can guess it has to do with the building at the center of the design.

-This tower evokes an image of power or superiority. It appears to be governmental or perhaps belonging to royalty.

-The abstraction of the black barrier and white shades in the sky that appear to be light direct your attention to the tower, and make it seem to be off limits, under patrol, or exclusive. The round, red shapes at the bottom seem to be abstractions of lanterns lining the street, and remind the viewer how far below the tower our view is. The Japanese symbols add context to the message the viewer receives; we now know that this takes place or is referring to Japan.

Abstract

-The abstract black shapes at the bottom have contrasting white coming from the jagged edges. This acts as a barrier between the viewer and the aforementioned tower, which seems to be in a pool of light.

- The white against the black wall abstraction reminds the viewer of the darkness below the outside of the ominous tower. The jagged edges of this barrier also evoke a feeling of danger, as if one might get injured if they tried to get over the wall.

- The representation of the tower is set behind the black abstractions, making the viewer unable to reach it. The Japanese symbols shine in the sky from the white shades in the sky that appear to be searchlights. These symbols seem as important, exclusive, and distanced as the tower.

Symbolic

- The Japanese symbols are telling us something about the image we see. They help indicate not only the location or audience of this poster, but also indicate territories in this image.

- The top symbols in the sky are like the tower, bright, tall, and large. The red symbols at the bottom contrast with the dark abstraction closer to our view. They are smaller and duller than the symbols in the sky. Depending on the cultural context, this contract of light and dark could indicate good and evil, rich and poor, or old and new.

-These symbols reinforce the separation between the bright tower area and the dark lower area. They also bring the eye in a different direction than the dark abstraction line or tower line.

Abstractions, Representations, and Symbols

This sex toy is an interesting take on an abstraction. The Lelo brand is inspired by the human body. This particular toy is curved and sized to not only fit nicely in the hand, but to mirror the external part of the vulva as well. The rounded edges remind us of the curve of the thigh or the "mound of Venus", while the fold in the middle remind us not only of the center of the vulva, but the other creases we see in, say, the arm or leg. By distilling the elements of the human body such as color or context for the above mentioned features, this toy is a wonderful abstraction of the human body.

The carpeting pictured here is a representation of a rock bed at the bottom of a river. The small, imperfect, rounded shapes make it clear to us that the designer is referencing pebbles or stones. Even further, the heather grey color not only reflects the color we see many stones in nature, but the little bits of lighter fabric seen if one looks closely resemble the variations of minerals we often see in stones. Becuase this materials was made to act as carpeting, we also see the stones where we would find them naturally, at the bottom of our feet.

This symbol, to an American, may look like a group of gifts. Others may see something completely different. The square shapes denoting boxes and lines with curves at the end symbolizing bows are very simplified versions of said objects. If it wasn't for our cultural knowledge of wrapping gifts in such a way, one may not understand what this image is symbolizing. Because this way of wrapping presents is not consistent throughout the world, these symbols are meaningless to some, but very clear to others.