013: Week 15 Blog Exercise – Interactions Between the 3 Levels

Representational

This image is representational of a desk top setting with pen holders and writing utensils scattered about. Anyone who sees this can easily recognize this as such because as literate human beings, we've encountered a similar setting before. Or we may even have seen it in media where a person is at their desk with a piece of paper in front of them with pen holders and writing utensils and other kinds of items scattered about.

One would recognize the idea of using a mug as a form of storage, particularly for pens and would immediately draw the connection upon seeing this picture. Despite the entire image in blue and white, we can recognize that to the right of the pen holder is half a can for storing smaller writing utensils. There is then of course the rectangle shape at an angle we typically view paper as in addition with a fountain pen (with the trademark point).

It relates to the level of abstraction being a much simpler form of a desk top setting. Everything is reduced to the basics from the desk top itself and the items with little to no tone.

It is symbolic as the details are are uncommon with the world and symbolizes another form of instrument - the art program that is Photoshop.

Abstract

This illustration itself is an abstract of a desk top setting. Eveyrthing is in its basic form with very little detail such as the mug as in the upper left with little to no depth with its limited tone. It is only using was is essential for recognizing with the common shape and placements. The image, as stated earlier is also entirely in blues and white, departing further from an actual representation and this way, gives it some emotional impact.

It relates to the level of representation being a distilled form of what its meant to appear as.

The image is an abstraction toward symbolism with both arbitrary and experience assigned meanings as shown in the details.

Symbolic

There are many symbols prevalent in this image. For one, the contents of the pen holder are of tools a person can use in the art program, Photoshop. The zoom, hand, font, magic wand, and brush tool inside the mug are all symbols that denote writing/art utensils. Similarly, the contents of the can sans the eraser tool are all symbols of smaller utensils a writer/artist uses. The erase likely acts as a connection for the viewer to make as both the smaller tool and another part of Photoshop along with the arrows and dodge tool.

The other tools scattered about can be among many possibilities, there is the clone stamp tool and healing brush which in the context of this image seems to be more abstract representations of an actual stamp and band-aid. Here, we can interpret the other Photoshop tools to be just as random items on a desk or in relation to what we know, such as the crop tool possibly symbolizing a paper clip and the notes tool as a post-it.

Finally, there is the rectangle shape containing a checker pattern. This is atypical of a blank slate of a Photoshop image to work on with lines created by the (enlarged) pen tool. As mentioned earlier, it seems to represent a piece of paper and pen and it does so abstractly with the placement and shape. However, this image cleverly places a blank Photoshop slate and its lines created by the pen tool to act as symbols of a piece of paper and pen.

012: Week 14 Blog Exercise – Application

Representational:

Image taken from http://cakecentral.com/

This cake here is representational of a handbag; more specifically, a Coach Inc. one. Furthermore, it is placed on what appears to be a wrinkled sheet but in reality is decorative sugar. Many of us, especially from the developed world, would have no troubles immediately associating the particular design of the letter "C" (as shown on this "purse") with the brand. The sheet itself, however, is easily recognizable by anyone with the form of a 'wrinkled' substance is common from clothes to bedsheets. What makes this a good representation of a Coach bag is how it counters the conventional shape and look of a cake: circular and solid color(s). It is technically faithful to a common Coach Inc. handbag in visual details from the color, shape, and tone. It even carries on some texture with the lines in the handles to appear as stitches and the creases of this sheet it is placed on.

Abstract:

Image taken from http://forum.tureng.com/members/islim-albums-abstract-picture164-abstract-wallpaper.html

This desktop wallpaper is an abstract design of a storm. While it is representational in color and recognizable shape, it is still a reduced form with the use of simple shapes (especially the circles), directional arrows, and little depth. The only form of depth in this image are the overlapping shapes, tone, and color. It also makes use of symbols with the arrows to denote wind and for all its purposes, proves to be abstract this way with this arbitrarily assigned meaning. There are connections with familiar visuals such as the clouds and more notably, the rainbow. It has the identifiable curved arch and is multi-colored. However, is still a reduced form of this light spectrum being technically unfaithful with such deep, solid colors. Not to mention the red color is usually the first or second color on the top half of one.

Symbolic:

Image taken http://www.zazzle.com.au/fundamental_game_symbols_bumper_sticker-128029983741117189

These four circular shapes are the iconic symbols of the Sony Playstation controller: a square, triangle, x, and circle. In Japanese culture, the shape of a circle signifies "okay" or "approval" and in a game, this would be the confirmation button. The "x" is typically a symbol of disapproval and likewise, would be a button to cancel an action. Teiyu Goto, a Sony engineer has revealed that this was indeed, the reasoning behind the shapes of the Sony Playstation controller and also shared the meaning of the triangle button, which signifies viewpoint, and the square as a piece of paper.

However, in the US market, the "x" has been the confirmation button with the "circle" and the cancellation. This could be for ergonamic reasons, with the player resting their thumb easier on the "x", as it is on the bottom of the controller rather than on the side.

These symbols are culture-dependent, as many US consumers aren't aware of these meanings. In addition, these are be non-iconic symbols, being arbitrary functions, especially outside of a gamer's knowledge, much less a cultural one.