Designs and Layouts

This class has really changed how I look at designs and layouts. Outside of school I don't really use a whole lot of upgraded technology so learning about the different types of designs and how to create a good layout now in this class will definitely help me for other class projects I may have.

In class we talked about CRAP - Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity and how it is important to follow these guidelines to creating a good design and layout. The powerpoint in class showed us that designs should follow CRAP. Contrast which allows the elements to de different and the layout should be easy for the reader's eye to flow from one element to the next.  Repetition is important in a layout because you want to repeat the element you are discussing to keep the poster organized and unified. Alignment will also add an appeal to your poster that will allow it to look neat and everything will flow together. Last, proximity in a poster helps because everything is close together in the design.

I get nervous when I am introduced to new technology such as Animoto, Tackk or Blog (I know what blogging is, but I had never blogged before) however, this class has been a great introduction to using all of these user-friendly technological tools. Animoto was so easy to use and the end result was a neat video with a lot of options for different designs and layouts. I am also glad that we talked about the one-space-only-after-a-period-comma-question mark-colon topic because I remember years ago  that it was two spaces. It was a discussion that was also about the changes academia goes through as well. I had never heard of the Oxford comma, perhaps it's because I'm a returning student that has taken too long of a break from school. We also discussed fonts in layouts and in our textbook, the best font to use for a headline is the sans serif fonts (p.88). This font is thinner in width and plain so the letters are legible to the reader.

I'm sure that I will use what I learned in this class on other class projects, where I would probably have just used the familiar Powerpoint (not that there is anything wrong with this) and make a project or assignment unique or interesting.

My Visual Literacy - Has it changed?


First of all, I have to say this class taught me so much! No double spacing after periods, the Oxford comma, the colors used for printing ( no pink?)... but mostly it has open my eyes to all the visual details that surround us everywhere. At work, I never noticed that our office space is so bland. A lot of color and some new pieces of furniture could fix that right up! I think it would be great to have warm colors in the summer/spring time and cool colors in the fall/winter to brighten up the office environment. Sometimes the smallest details in a office can add so much character to the room. I remember when I came back to Alverno after they had remodeled the commons area and it put a smile on my face. The walls were painted and there was new furniture to add to the renovation that they had done. It was a nice change and a really great incorporation of painting and colors.

I found this before and after picture online showing how furniture, paint, and lighting can really change the look of a room. I don't have any pictures of my office work space, but it could definitely use the modern furniture and have that bright look the 'after' picture has. The lighting in the after picture is so much better and the remodeling of the fireplace has given the room a breath of fresh air.  
                                  
So, yes, I have changed my perspective on visual literacy. In the beginning of this class when I watched Brian Kennedy TED talk I looked at the small colorful ball that he ask the audience to look at, and I didn't pay too much attention to it. But now, looking back, Kennedy said, " When you actually look at it you can begin to see it." (TED talk)  I find that I am paying more attention to detail now than before for example, I didn't realize that I've bought cars that have mainly been black and not a color I really like. I like burgundy for a car and now for my next car, I want a burgundy color car. I also never thought about the colors I wear, or the color I like looking at, so now I think about how in our everyday lives we have visual details surrounding us all the time. I even started asking everyone I spoke to about the three color questions we answered in class. I did get a few odd stares from people because it's not something you think about.

Now on to art museums this summer to stop and enjoy the art pieces and put some of the art techniques/vocabulary I've learned to use.