Emphasis
1. Due to
the nature of the stop motion, the first thing I see is what the author is
writing. The other things in the image, laptop, phone, scissors, etc, are
static and don't distract too much from
the writing. The method of crossing out the previous definition
definitely makes you understand the purpose of the video however, it's very
hard to see. If the author intended this, and wants the audience to watch the
rest of the video to figure it out, then I believe the technique was effective.
Otherwise, I would have made all of the text a little bit bigger, especially do
to the scribbley handwriting.
2. The
stillness ensures that nothing distracts from the current image. The audience isn't
following her hand or looking at her head. The stillness makes the image feel
complete. The audience is no longer waiting for a final product but now can
evaluate exactly what they see.
3. The sound
gives the video a sense of urgency. Action is taking place. The music may
emphasize these emotions but I didn't think
it emphasized and specific part of the video. There was a slight
transitional sound when the pages turned but if the music had also changed then
the emphasis would be greater. It does make what she is writing seem much more
important than if the music was simply a piano. It almost makes it feel like
what she is writing could be dangerous or revolutionary.
Contrast
1. The most obvious
contrast is the style of the cartoon and the voice of the narrator. As mentioned
in the lesson, the digital voice is not what you would expect from the cartoon.
I would have expected a male voice, friendly, with informative tone. However,
the voice distinguishes the message from the visuals of the video. The purpose
is clearly something for the digital age and the font on the box also
emphasizes this. Also, the color of the text stands out from the gray box but
still reflects the color of the animation. This actually helps to connect the
visuals to the words.
2. The first
clip shows that the words and theJUMP are connected to video. They expect
multimedia projects that include both words and animation/images. This message
against the black background, isolates these words from the visuals. The only
thing with emphasis are the words on the screen and in fact the message is
about an essay. They make it clear that this portion of the submission is
supposed to be about text.
3. If I were
to design a poster it would be clear that the focus is a multi media project.
Some elements would be brought together to illustrate the multimodal nature of
the project. For example theJUMP logo and whatever visual aid indicates success
would be closely oriented with other forms of visual communication. Pictures
and words with a similar color. I would contrast these images from the
requirements using spatial organization and probably color. It would show that
the multimedia aspect is one part of the project and the essays are another.
Organization
The images
are organized to make people take a look at what they are dependent on.
1. The first
photo depicts a foot with a bar-code on it. I believe most people will take this
image one of two ways. It either comments on how the human body can be treated
like a commodity or it shows how close we are to becoming a part of the
technology we use.
The next image shows 1 + 1 =2 in black and white. This could
simply indicate an equation on the board or the numbers can relate to the
numbers on the bar-code. When placed right next to each other, the focus is
clearly on numbers.
This theme is solidified by the next picture of the parking
meter. This picture serves several purposes. It again reinforces the idea that
people are reliant on numbers. Also, that people are always in a hurry in this
life governed by numbers. The black and white creates a dreary tone and also
continues the color from the slide before. The plain nature of these three
slides set up a huge contrast between the bright colors in the fourth image.
This picture is supposed to remind the audience
of the saying "stop and smell the roses." This assumes that
the audiences understands American culture references. Without knowing however,
the contrast still gives the story a more positive feeling.
The story is
concluded with an artist, seemingly inspired by flowers such as the were in the
image before. The only words that stand out are "We Can Dream" which
challenges the audience to do the same. Hopefully the story can remind the
audience to take a break from technology every once in a while.
2. Another
argument I considered was a direct contrast between each of the images,
alternating between black/white and color. However, it was harder to maintain a
theme when the images were broken up.
Another way
that may provide a similar argument would be to show them in reverse order.
Trying to show that we used to be inspired by art and nature, then we went to
numbers, numbers brought technology, technology results in us with barcodes on
our feet.
3. Music
could potentially help in conveying the tone that is determined solely by the colors.
If the music starts out monotonous or menacing it convey a negative tone
towards the numbers. Then music could be upbeat and help aid the positive
nature of the bright slides at the end. I think having the only words on any of
the images be "we can dream" produces a great effect because they are
alone. Adding more words might take away from their emphasis.
Alignment
1. The words
were horizontally aligned but jumbled at first. Just when my eye could figure
it out, the words transformed into lowercase and straightened out. The
straightening is almost like an eye focusing and it brings me to the words
'Insects' without me even trying. The way the words flow into each other does
create a strong relationship between the two.
2. The
reflection and the background color lead me to believe that there is water at
the bottom. Also, the contrails cut off the top of the screen almost forcing
the audience to look down towards the moon and therefore the letters. I think
other arrangements might let the eye wander and the words wouldn't have such a
strong effect.
3. The words
are on a different alignment to distinguish the two lines of poetry. Adding
different audio further creates contrast between the two scenes. However, the
vertical alignment is the same which keeps the theme the same even though the
words themselves are different.
4. The
placement of the words illustrates a tear welling up in the eye of the
background image. This matches the tone of the man's voice from the audio. The
visual connecting with the words makes them stronger and adds the gestural mode
to this particular scene.
5. I think
the placement is supposed to represent what the words literally stand for,
rather than the meaning they reveal when played. The air is higher, next comes
earth and the lowest is water. In addition the words seem to respond to the
background elements, mimicking the line that cuts across the screen and
settling under the moon. This alignment encourages the user to start at the top
with air and follow the path down to earth and then water.
Proximity
1. I began
with the title in the upper left corner in a decorative font. Then the
description of the novel was placed below. They are clearly separated by
different fonts and size but they are both left aligned. They are both
important information indicating the content of the book. I chose the picture
of the seagull flying because the novel is about flight. The author's name is
isolated by proximity but is connected to the title through the font,
encouraging the audience to view them together.
2. I think
the most important piece of information is the title. Its importance is
conveyed by its size and relationship to the other elements on the page. It is
at the top and left aligned which is where a western audience normally begins a
page in a book. The layout indicates that things should be clearly defined and
the information can be read in an instant without any difficulty. It also shows
a clear hierarchy where the most important information is at the top.
3. The
difficulty is trying to convey the content of the book, or at least create
interest in that content, only using text
and a static image. On a digital copy, the text that reads "a novel about
flight" could fly on and off the page conveying a stronger message while
the title could remain on its own. If equal importance should be given to the
author, maybe the title could rotate with the author's name somehow.
