Blog Assignment 2

Q. Find three photographs / images online that represent various (different) photo compositions.

Post (to your blog) each photo and a one paragraph narrative discussing the file format of the image and identify the type(s) of composition used.

A.

*File format – All the pictures I found for this assignment on Web were JPEG files. JPEG is a good one to use on Web since you can make small files using it. However, it is not the best one to use when you want to print: TIFF is a good one for printing.

Example 1: Leading Lines

 This is a good example of a leading line. The bridge sets the dominant lines, and because of these lines, your eyes are able to span the entire picture. That is, the support columns help your eyes see vertically, and the top, road part helps your eyes see horizontally.

Example 2: Centering

These two pictures are good examples of centering. In the first picture, the reflection makes the symmetrical image on the lake. Therefore, this can be centered horizontally. The second picture is vertically symmetrical, so it can be centered vertically.

Example 3: Framing

This is a good example of framing. This picture uses a monument, a natural thing, as a frame and gives this picture visual interest. By using a natural thing near a subject as a frame, you can take interesting pictures.

Blog Assignment 1

Q. Using the Internet, search for graphic design examples displaying good and bad application of the basic principles of design or theories of design.

Post at least two examples to your blog and write one to two paragraphs on the basic design principles used, and note whether they were good or bad examples.

A.

Good Example

This example shows the good use of a graphic design theory, similarity, and a graphic design principle, dominance.

According to the theory of similarity, our brain tends to tie together elements that are in similar size, shape, and color. The principle of dominance states that the element that is given more visual weight has more emphasis.

In this example, both the background and the woman in the foreground are comprised of warm, brown hues. Therefore, the brain sees these as a whole. However, the jewelry is comprised of a cold, metallic color. Therefore, the jewelry this ad is for has the most visual weight and has the most emphasis. Also, the brand name is white, which pops up on the background. As a result, this ad successfully applies graphic design theory and principles, and gives emphasis on what it is advertising.

Bad Example

This example shows the bad use of a graphic design theory, similarity and a graphic design principle, namely, dominance.

In this example, both the background and the woman in the foreground are comprised of kind of brown colors. However, the clothing that the woman wears is in white; the perfume and the brand name also are. Also, since the white clothing takes more space in this ad than the perfume which this ad is for, the clothing has more visual weight. Therefore, this ad fails to tie together the background and the image of the woman, including her clothing, and makes it looks like this ad is for the woman’s clothing instead of the perfume. Because of the failure to accurately use the theory of similarity and principle of dominance, this ad fails to advertise its product.