DTC_355_VisualComposition

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.