#2) I've decided to evaluate http://www.questionablecontent.net/ because it is a site that I frequent on a daily basis and the usability of it is designed with a specific audience in mind.
From a Visual Culture perspective, this document is designed to appeal to a specific target audience (english speaking and "indie"). To explain this, a funnel technique would be the most effective means of conveying how the choices the writer has made in the document narrow the audience.
The main page merely states "Questionable Content" without describing exactly what questionable content is. Underneath the page title, there are objects that allow the user to navigate the page. These objects consist of English text instead of a wider reaching symbol, and the text itself includes abbreviations understood only by those who frequent similar sites (RL RSS). The large image on the page is a continuation of an online comic. By offering the most recent comic instead of an explanation of what the user is looking at or the first in the series, the writer is focused on returning users who understand the context of the image without explanation of any kind. Thus, the audience becomes very specific.
From a Visual Rhetoric as User-Centered Design perspective, the decisions made by the writer appear to be dead-on. The design of the site itself is easy to learn and consistent with what the site is for. The writer provides archives for past comics as well as constant updates, links for recommended reading, sales, and tabs available (sort of) for new users that need information about the site.
The intended ethos of this site is definitely that of being part of the hipster/indie scene.
The logos of this site is content first, explanation later if at all.
The pathos is, well...You're either in, or out. Withholding information that would explain what the site is creates a sense of inclusiveness which ties closely in with the indie/hipster mantra. By being a reader and *understanding* the context, you're a member of their really awesome super-secretive club. It makes the reader want to belong.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Chapter 2, Exercises 1 and 3
#1)
I gathered up a magazine, a mail-order pamphlet, and the uca parking permit pamphlet.
#3) a. The entire page of the document is designed in a triple column layout. Each column reads left to right to the bottom of the page and continues at the top of the next column in the middle of the page, and so on. I count 16 objects. All shapes but one are literal images of the product being offered, while the last one is a bold horizontal line in the upper portion of the middle column. The images are placed to the right of the columns but do not necessarily line up with the description of the image. The color of all objects are in variations of black on coral pamplet-esque paper with various shading of grey to allow an appearance of texture. The value of each object appears to be somewhat high because the black and grey imaging is set against a coral background; the contrast is good. However, the size of each image is not varied enough to allow emphasis to be given to a specific group of items. The size of the objects compared to the text surrounding it isn't significant enough to give proper emphasis to the objects. Their position in the document appears haphazard and lacking any real cohesion. Some objects appear to the left of the description while others will be to the right and slightly above or below their descriptions. It requires a significant amount of effort to find the specific image that goes with the descriptions.
b. The objects on the document that are of similar items (books) appear in the same size but others (like stickers) vary in size with one another, and because the entire document is printed in black and grey, all objects are similar in color. As stated above, the position of the objects seem random. Contrast in this document is poor between the objects; they all appear to be the same in value. The proximity of the objects to one another and related text is poor which makes navigating the document difficult and frustrating. The alignment visually is clean but lacks functionality. Lines are placed randomly and not to separate groups of objects or different themes. The order is arranged differently depending on what the item is which, again, causes a serious navigation issue. There is no form of enclosure other than the separation of text and photos by using columns; however, this is not a functional enclosure, it seems to be a default format that is carried out in every page of the document. I would enclose all similar items in separate sections of the page using bold borders. The most prominent items in the document (the books) would be placed at the top with larger text then sectioned into columns, and the objects that represent each item would be moved to the left. The less expensive items would be moved to the bottom with a similar layout as the items above.
#3) a. The entire page of the document is designed in a triple column layout. Each column reads left to right to the bottom of the page and continues at the top of the next column in the middle of the page, and so on. I count 16 objects. All shapes but one are literal images of the product being offered, while the last one is a bold horizontal line in the upper portion of the middle column. The images are placed to the right of the columns but do not necessarily line up with the description of the image. The color of all objects are in variations of black on coral pamplet-esque paper with various shading of grey to allow an appearance of texture. The value of each object appears to be somewhat high because the black and grey imaging is set against a coral background; the contrast is good. However, the size of each image is not varied enough to allow emphasis to be given to a specific group of items. The size of the objects compared to the text surrounding it isn't significant enough to give proper emphasis to the objects. Their position in the document appears haphazard and lacking any real cohesion. Some objects appear to the left of the description while others will be to the right and slightly above or below their descriptions. It requires a significant amount of effort to find the specific image that goes with the descriptions.
b. The objects on the document that are of similar items (books) appear in the same size but others (like stickers) vary in size with one another, and because the entire document is printed in black and grey, all objects are similar in color. As stated above, the position of the objects seem random. Contrast in this document is poor between the objects; they all appear to be the same in value. The proximity of the objects to one another and related text is poor which makes navigating the document difficult and frustrating. The alignment visually is clean but lacks functionality. Lines are placed randomly and not to separate groups of objects or different themes. The order is arranged differently depending on what the item is which, again, causes a serious navigation issue. There is no form of enclosure other than the separation of text and photos by using columns; however, this is not a functional enclosure, it seems to be a default format that is carried out in every page of the document. I would enclose all similar items in separate sections of the page using bold borders. The most prominent items in the document (the books) would be placed at the top with larger text then sectioned into columns, and the objects that represent each item would be moved to the left. The less expensive items would be moved to the bottom with a similar layout as the items above.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A Turn or is it "U" turn?
Well, I've decided to revamp my beloved (albeit neglected) blog for a more noble use: How to's? Random Ideas? Recipes? The occasional rant? Maybe one, perhaps all. I can be so fickle at times. Nevertheless, this post has an actual purpose. I'm wanting to share a poem I wrote a few days ago when I was in one of those surreal moods. Enjoy.
The apple of Sodom-
Bare fruit, bare breasted
Baring all - barring none.
Stark red alters made
Sacrificing not life-but force-
God’s blind; ad populum arrange
Call forward eruption glass
Creation maintain- reinforce
The artificial skin-hardening
Mirror beauty, concerns.
Symbolic image, rounded red.
Disease’s birth wanting-
Undo what was never done.
Etching stone, natural fingers
Virgin secret forged will
Discover locks and gates-
Keeping time for time
And mindful of their disguise
Theatre smiles and lying eyes
Eternal echo ethereal erase.
Please share all thoughts and opinions!
The apple of Sodom-
Bare fruit, bare breasted
Baring all - barring none.
Stark red alters made
Sacrificing not life-but force-
God’s blind; ad populum arrange
Call forward eruption glass
Creation maintain- reinforce
The artificial skin-hardening
Mirror beauty, concerns.
Symbolic image, rounded red.
Disease’s birth wanting-
Undo what was never done.
Etching stone, natural fingers
Virgin secret forged will
Discover locks and gates-
Keeping time for time
And mindful of their disguise
Theatre smiles and lying eyes
Eternal echo ethereal erase.
Please share all thoughts and opinions!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sometimes I Can't Even Stand Myself
Often, I feel as if there is something seriously wrong with me. Not a cold or anything else charmingly mundane- its something I don't understand and that lack of understanding manifests itself in horrible ways. I can't do stress. I know most people say that but I REALLY mean it; I lose my mind and regress back to infancy within 60 seconds. This can't be normal.
I know quite a few people who self-medicate for this same kind of problem but I, in my ignorant and naive idea of self-control, refuse to be medicated for anything because, well, there's nothing wrong with me- right?
I like to think that, ya know. I'm normal and everyone else is defective. Obviously I'm wrong... I think it's grown worse actually. I hate being around people and I have no want to socialize because I think most are crude and selfish. I have very few people who could be considered friends and I don't go out of my way to make new ones. Actually, I go out of my way to avoid new people.
I'm tired.
I find it funny that people tell you something and say, "No matter what". Well, that's just complete shit, isn't it? Really? No matter what? Are you sure? "I won't leave you, no matter what." Yeah, we'll see... won't we?
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Social Structure of the Modern Middle Class
So far I have yet to understand how society works. Is it normal to feel like an outsider in every social situation? I do try, mind you, but even when I adopt the artificial smile and mimic the slight nuances of meaningless conversation, it still fails. I don't know if I detest the artifice of the whole act so much that it distorts what should be pleasant into something mocking and monstrous or perhaps I'm just really bad at it. Who knows...
In spite of my obvious failures in this regard, I have learned the surface rules of our disturbing culture:
1- Even if you don't care, pretend to with as much faked enthusiasm as possible.
2- Be shallow. We're talking REALLY shallow. Don't worry about the more profound and worrisome aspects of life. You should only discuss who did what to whom and how shocked you are by it.
3- Belong to a social circle. This holds true for parents who live vicariously through their children via sports, dance, or any other activity your children participate in only to seek a second of your approval. In southern states, these circles typically exist in Churches and these people can be some of the most unpleasant folks you'd ever encounter.
4- Keep up appearances. I do mean "keep up"... at all costs!!! You must look a certain way, own certain things, and your family must be composed of specific types of personalities. Otherwise, you're doomed. If your children show signs of independence, free-thought, or a taste for the odd; you must rewire them immediately into hate-filled, elitist, automatons. (For their own good, of course.)
As silly and infantile as these rules may seem, they are, nevertheless, standard for every circle. I wish the rest of you luck in shaving off the tidbits of your personality that won't fit nicely into said mold- I know that I've failed at it completely.
In spite of my obvious failures in this regard, I have learned the surface rules of our disturbing culture:
1- Even if you don't care, pretend to with as much faked enthusiasm as possible.
2- Be shallow. We're talking REALLY shallow. Don't worry about the more profound and worrisome aspects of life. You should only discuss who did what to whom and how shocked you are by it.
3- Belong to a social circle. This holds true for parents who live vicariously through their children via sports, dance, or any other activity your children participate in only to seek a second of your approval. In southern states, these circles typically exist in Churches and these people can be some of the most unpleasant folks you'd ever encounter.
4- Keep up appearances. I do mean "keep up"... at all costs!!! You must look a certain way, own certain things, and your family must be composed of specific types of personalities. Otherwise, you're doomed. If your children show signs of independence, free-thought, or a taste for the odd; you must rewire them immediately into hate-filled, elitist, automatons. (For their own good, of course.)
As silly and infantile as these rules may seem, they are, nevertheless, standard for every circle. I wish the rest of you luck in shaving off the tidbits of your personality that won't fit nicely into said mold- I know that I've failed at it completely.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Beware! Self-Aware!
I've never considered myself old. I'm sure most feel the same way and then, one day, you wake up and joints pop and jar more than usual- a lot more than usual. You fumble around and finally make your way to the vanity mirror only to discover that the light you've always recognized is fizzling and your face seems a bit more plain. What a horrid feeling. You panic.
Am I really that person? The old maid who keeps too much to herself and who is, no doubt, too much or too little to love? Is there really a perfect mixture? I constantly wonder as to if there really is something off about me. Do I ask too much? Require too much? Do I really hold people to such high standards that they break their ignoble necks when they finally fall from the astronomically high pedestal I have placed them on? Surely not! Not I!!
I have given multiple soap-box speeches against the institution of marriage but why do I give them? I actually think I give them to hide something. I'm drowning my self-doubt with a simple face-saving technique; if you can't join them, beat them! Not that I'm not grateful that my past relationships ended, because I am- believe me. I do, however, wonder what other people have that I don't. Since no one has offered me logical reasons, I do exactly what a reasonable person shouldn't do; I make them up. I wonder why no man secretly plans and purchases an engagement ring for me... Well, there is no real wonder there; I can be a perfect nightmare of a creature sometimes- but who isn't?
Am I really that person? The old maid who keeps too much to herself and who is, no doubt, too much or too little to love? Is there really a perfect mixture? I constantly wonder as to if there really is something off about me. Do I ask too much? Require too much? Do I really hold people to such high standards that they break their ignoble necks when they finally fall from the astronomically high pedestal I have placed them on? Surely not! Not I!!
I have given multiple soap-box speeches against the institution of marriage but why do I give them? I actually think I give them to hide something. I'm drowning my self-doubt with a simple face-saving technique; if you can't join them, beat them! Not that I'm not grateful that my past relationships ended, because I am- believe me. I do, however, wonder what other people have that I don't. Since no one has offered me logical reasons, I do exactly what a reasonable person shouldn't do; I make them up. I wonder why no man secretly plans and purchases an engagement ring for me... Well, there is no real wonder there; I can be a perfect nightmare of a creature sometimes- but who isn't?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)