tell your story

I really like incorporating images into designs. I tend to take a simple set of shapes or outlines and use a compelling image in the background. This is pretty easy using the clipping mask tool in Adobe Indesign. In the picture above, the shapes by themselves would be indistinguishable. They wouldn't form any sort of cohesive image. But, when they are aligned in a particular order, they create the likeness of a typewriter, even though they are so basic and simple.

Proximity is the first principle used. Notice how each of the shapes is made out of rectangle shapes, shapes with hard 90 degree angles. By themselves they are random shapes. When put in proper order, they take on the likeness of a typewriter. The typewriter informs the message of the image and gives context to the title, which is "tell a story". The view, through proximity, tells the reader that a story can be told through the typewriter, or the act of typing a story.

Closure is the second principle used in the image. With the overlay of the picture and shapes, the mind can organize the picture in two ways. Firstly, the mind puts together the picture of a girl on a log. Even though it is split up, the proximity and alignment of the figure are put together in a cohesive image that makes sense. Secondly, the typewriter is able to be put together, even though it is such a rough outline. This anomaly makes the message accessible to the reader, but it makes the message interesting because it isn't overly simple. The dual nature of the image, using figure, makes it interesting and compelling to onlookers who understand both perceptions of it.

I pass the jdawgs logo every day walking home. I've always liked the logo and was glad to analyze it for this assignment. The logo uses the principle of closure. Even though a "j" isn't explicitly typed there, the negative space creates the likeness of a J that the mind can perceive. This makes the j more dynamic and interesting. It also makes it easier to print in black and white. Secondly the logo uses figure to create the illusion that a j is there, even though it is just a cutout from a square. The figure principle makes the logo mark of the j far more interesting and easily used. There are straight angles that look nice on paper and stationary, but there are also the curves of the j that are more modern and trendy.