For your new blog response:
1) Put your working thesis for Paper #1 here (don't forget to also bring a hard copy to class on Thursday).
2) What is one idea that you found important/interesting from Ch. 6 of UC? [1 paragraph]
3) What are 2-3 responses that you have to the Stephens article? You can agree/disagree with various points (but do provide examples to support your opinion), point out passages that you found unclear, ask questions that you thought of, etc. [1 paragraph]
4) Tell of a time when a visual image communicated more effectively with you than words did. [1 paragraph]
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1)Through the use of comedy, a sign has the capability of becoming more effective than if a staight-forward message was delivered.
ReplyDelete2) One idea I found particularly interesting was McCloud’s idea that the definition of a comic was not a picture and words together. The part that caught my attention was when McCloud contradicts himself thereafter saying that a comic, through the use of pictures and words, can tell a great story, even though he said that pictures and words aren’t comics.
3) In Stephens’s article, I enjoyed how he gave an example of how effective MTV was in providing a starting point for ideas. This includes the young authors start and how he created the 33 second clip about Reagan’s “star wars” defense system. I was also interested in learning about how MTV’s entire basis was set around the music video era. I also learned that MTV was around in the late 70’s early 80’s. I guess I didn’t realize how young I was until I read that, because I thought it was a bit newer to the modern world.
4) Visual images were far more effective than words when I was younger, mainly because I don’t think I was able to read very well when I was a young child. Thankfully that is no longer the case. Also, the symbol for men’s restroom is helpful because when I need to use the restroom very badly, I don’t want to stop and read a sign, because a picture is much quicker. Lastly, Street lights are very effective, because if u had to read something that said either stop, go, or yield, that would take much more time and be far more inconvenient than a universally known color.
1: Signs are effective for they are an instinctive langauge that all humans understand. Though humans are not in a primitive state, signs are methods used for survival. They are indicators of warnings, rules, locations, and concepts.
ReplyDelete2:The whole idea of how language is really just abstracted images was realy interesting to me. The examples about the cave art and the egyptian hieroglyphics made the idea make more sense.
3: I agree on the idea brought up that sometimes images better protray things than words do (3). Reading just text alone can not always invoke the immediate emotion as a picture can. Text is something the reader has to struggle with (even if it is just simple, there still is a thought process in action). One idea that he uses an example is the Old Testment and I disagree on his interpretation of that. To me to not have any graven image doesn't include art, its more like dont create images of another god and worship it. Using this example is risky also becuase not everyone is familar with the bible. I just thought his use of it was more like a tangent.
4: Seeing pictures of the Holocuast victims was much more effective than just reading history about it. The words are interesting true and the give little facts and details but to see the expressions of thos victims faces is very much more powerful than letters on paper. Those photographs make you feel sadness for them in a way words cannot.
1) Company logos serve as a foundation for advertisement and portray a certain aspect of what they are representing through color, words, pictures and simplicity, therefore having a powerful impact on those who view them and strengthening the overall effect on consumers.
ReplyDelete2) One idea I found interesting was McCloud's belief that words and pictures began as one in the same, and that as time progressed they went in opposite directions, becoming their own, but still being used together. I think that it is hard to comprehend that a words and pictures started out as the same thing because I've always viewed them as completely different. McCloud refers to ancient markings that served as a language but was literally a picture. It is amazing how it has evolved so much over the many years of civilization.
3) I agree with Stephen's point that words can reveal detail about physical action. However, this only applies in books or comics when the point is to describe that. In real life and real conversations, I think pictures are more effective. I do not understand his reference to Old testament on pg 2. I am glad that he mentions the face expression idea as it is what I want to talk about in question 4. I believe that his idea is true and that only face to face can produce truth and honesty, rather than face to words.
4) I think that one thing that has to be visually seen and cannot be conveyed through words would have to be emotion. Every time I talk to people in general or watch a movie I understand more about what they are feeling and their emotions through their face gestures and instant reactions. It is easy to hide emotion and feelings by using words, and a person's face can reveal a lot, like knowing what or what not to say, or if you embarrassed someone. We know what certain face expressions mean and therefore we understand better what is going on because usually it cant be hidden.
1)The hidden language of humor found in our everyday road signs. IE: I found a road sign posted near campus. Read,"SLOW HEAVY CHILD TRAFFIC". So,are we looking for,slow moving BIG children? Or,are we looking out for,crowds of children in the area? Hmmm?
ReplyDelete2)One point I found interesting/important from Ch#6"U.C." Concept portayed of representation without proper presentation, can and often does leave the audience in a confused/mis- understod state of mind. IE:(p155):McCloud stipulates combination of interdependent words & pictures work hand in hand together, what neither could convey alone.
3)A few responses to Stephens article, one: how a symbol/image can flash on/off screen w/out use of words and still get point across. Yet,now more individuals across our diverse spectrum (ages/language)can understand the points that they're trying to convey w/out tying up the screen w/wording or speeches.
Second:Use of icons on computer screen. Now, I personally find it much easier to eyeball an icon rather than read scripture to get to a file/program/etc. Thirdly: In this article by Mitchell Stephens,we come across the noted observation about images of traffic signs, restrooms,plaques covered with images not with words. Brings me to my point that a well designed image/picture can often convey meaning faster and clearer, than with a bunch of words.
4)I was in a hospital bed, just came out of surgery, and as my anysthesia was still wearing off, I noticed my 2 girls at my bedside. They each were showing facial and body expressions which were easily conveyed to me what they were feeling/thinking without any words being said. Good thing for these non-word expresions, for I'm sure I was much better understood this way than if I were forced to try and verbalize what I was feeling in my groggy state of mind.
1) Throughout a lifetime we see millions of signs that try to get our attention. Each sign has its own meaning and they all try to convey a message. Whether it be instructional or persuasive, each sign has a job and that is for you to stop and think about what you just saw.
ReplyDelete2) One thing I found interesting was on page 150 McCloud says that the perception of “great” art and “great” writing hasn’t changed in about 150 years. I found this really interesting because I have to agree with what he was saying. I think that if we saw a drawing from a 3 year old or a portrait Picasso drew, we would all say Picasso’s portrait was great. It has more lines, more color, more everything. Everything the 3 year old drawing didn’t have. This also works the same way with writings or novels or books. If we were to read Dr. Suess we would be able to understand it no problem, but if we had to read Shakespeare, this would be considered great writing because it’s so complex and the dialogue is so different than ours today.
3) There are a couple of points that were brought to my attention. The first one was on page 3 where he says, “there are some things images do better than words.” I have to say I agree with this statement. A lot of times people have a hard time saying what they feel. For instance, if I wanted to tell someone “I love you” but I was so nervous, it would just be easier for me to draw a heart or something like that. It’s like that saying a picture is worth a thousand words. If I wrote a caption on the picture, the only thing people would see when they see the picture is the caption. They would be able to imagine or think by themselves what was going on in the picture. Another thing that caught my attention was on page 5 Stephens said that all information could be put into words, but once this happens we sacrifice our ability to judge thoughtfulness and earnestness. I agree with this too, because if we were reading “Sara gave Rebecca a dirty look today at school because she is dating her brother” we only see what’s in our imagination, we don’t get to see an actual picture that we can judge.
4) The picture with the 3 crosses and one of them was the one Jesus died. I think that picture is so powerful, that no words can really describe it. Because it doesn’t just represent the action, but there are so many emotions that you feel when you see that picture. You can’t just put words on a picture like that. I believe that images so strong as the one I mentioned, is truly where images communicate so much better than words.
1)The technique in producing these simple yet concise traffic signs provides for an organized system that is beneficial for not only the driver, but pedestrians and cyclists safety as well.
ReplyDelete2)I thought, in the beginning of the chapter, the ancient writings that were depicted by pictures progressively evolving to abstract modern writing was interesting. I also learned and was surprised at how much the art world changed throughout the 1800's, and then the resulting "explosion" in art, enabling contemporary artists to be more free formed and unique with their works. Finally, in the end of the chapter, McCloud's analogy of comics and dancing, recurs, describing that one dancer represents pictures and the other, words. One of them leads (with the effect of being more picture or word oriented) while still supporting each other, thus making comics a powerful art form; I found it a nice way of describing what he was trying to say.
3)Throughout the article I agreed with much of what Stephens had to say. The historical background of images on the second page, touching on the fear from images for the chance it might contain magic, however, baffled me. From such superstitious and highly religious times, it seems understandable but I didn't get why there was such an emphasis on religion and art not mixing well. I thought it was interesting reading how images and words are interdependent yet the two are perceived by us in very different ways.
4)I remember in my sophomore year of high school we watched a video in Biology, and to this day I have no idea what the whole lesson was about, but I remember a part of the video that just showed our planet Earth, peaceful, in space. And from that point I thought, this is where all the drama, chaos, passion, discovery, and life has unfolded and will continue to. It was an eye opener to me--seeing the bigger picture so to speak, and it fascinated me.
1. Signs ensure the safety, comfort, and entertainment of an amusement park patron, by relying on various communication techniques.
ReplyDelete2. McCloud make a point of comics being judged as a genre of writing or a style of graphic art. I agree that comics should belong to their own category. Comics should be judged by how they communicate as a medium of their own. Only then can they be appreciated or scorned with full reason.
3. Was this article written merely to inform? The author seems to highly favor cinema and TV, but spends the majority of the article comparing words and images.
The author says that sometimes an image can have an infinite number of meanings, as opposed to words, which have very specific meanings. Will images strung together have a more specific meaning than a single image alone? If he favors motion picture, will he also favor comics, a way of communication through images but separated by space instead of time?
4. Maps have always communicated more effectively to me than directions. It has applied everywhere from the streets to campus to amusement parks. It gives much more information, such as distance and proximity to other places, quickly, than words. I suppose words could also provide this information, but few would shuffle through a book trying to find the nearest airport while speeding through a freeway.
1.) Road signs are used as a tool to communicate to drivers and pedestrians through words and symbols. Without these signs of direction and instruction; order,structure and navigation may be lost on the road.
ReplyDelete2.) One idea i found important in chapter 6 was that in some cases, pictures must be accompanied by words to get the meaning, and words must be accompanied by pictures to get the meaning.
3.) i do not know what he meant by video is not only suspiciously new and immature; it is tainted by its reliance upon facile, shallow, unreal, cursed images. i do agree with him tho when he says "the written word, we sometimes forget, was invented as a crude if useful substitute for the real thing." words were created after images, but even so, both are used to try to substitute for the real thing in my opinion.
4) I have seen the sentence "jesus died on the cross" many times in my life. But when i see a painting or other visual image of it, it communicates more effectively to me than plain words. Plain words have an effect on me but not to the extent of a picture like this when i see it. I believe it is one of those most powerful images out there and is recognized and has effected millions of people around the world.
1) Through the use of an icon, words, and color, cereal box signs appeal to the viewer which is effective in them buying the product.
ReplyDelete2)One idea that interested me in chapter 6 was that in the 1800's, words and art tended to drift apart. Art was obsessed with the visible, while words were rich in the invisible. Even more interesting was that over time words were becoming more simplified like pictures, and pictures had more meaning, like words. Although they drifted, pictures and words came back only to collide.
3)I liked the way Stephens described the fear of images. We fear images because they might take away from words, i think, is a subconscious concern with many people. Images are easier to understand, while words have more meaning. I did not agree with the fact that images are pretend. i do not think that when images imitate real things that it devalues them. I think that images are a truth of their own, depicting a sense of reality.
4)Sometimes while talking to friends, it is easier to tell what they are feeling by facial exressions. While talking on the phone, what they say and their tone of voice can only say so much. Seeing facial expressions makes it easier to understand what they are thinking
1) Skateboard brand logos, like any other sign or symbol, convey a unique message based on the diverse elements that they embrace, but at the same time are inimitable because of their unparalleled style.
ReplyDelete2) One thing that I found very interesting in Chapter 6 of Understanding Comics was when Scott McCloud was showing the different ways that words and pictures can be combined to form different types of presentations of a situation. He provided the example of the girl walking in the rain and then going to buy ice cream so that she may go home and finish it in an hour, alone in her apartment. It was cool how he first did it only in pictures, then only in words, and finally a nice combination of the two. I really liked when he pointed out that one of the two, the text or the pictures, could provide a lot of information on their own so that the other could make an even better impression. For example, in the frame where the clerk is descibed as giving a creepy stare, the words tell what is happening while the picture is allowed to be more abstract.
3)The three points that I found particularly interesting were in the beginning of the article. 1: When Stephens mentions the opinions of David Berrent and Alan Kay, I was in total agreement because he writes that "Some meanings clearly are better communicated pictorially than verbally." I really agree with this point because it is obviously true. For example, if one wanted to describe how great Six Flags Magic Mountain is, they could do a lot better job by simply showing an insane picture of X2 rather than attempt to convey the same message in words. 2: I also liked the part when he mentions Plato's critcisms of the painter because since I took an art class over the summer, I know what he is talking about in the article and I am aware that Plato viewed the painter as a liar and a magician. I personally don't agree with Plato on this point however and this is because, sure sometimes what the artist piants does not completely coincide with reality, but it is just a way for people to see the world differently or what the artist has to say. 3: I also was quite interested in the point in the article when Stephens mentions that in a way, images are some sort of black magic that allow for viewers to see something from an external prospective. In a way, images are a mysterious force that most do not realize until they actually think about it and I just thought that this was appealing.
4)A time when a visual communicated with me better than words did was when I saw a picture of an Asian man setting himself on fire as a protest to a larger group, or government or something of that nature. In U.S. History in high school, we had to read a chapter that described the political and social struggles of a particular nation and in one part of the text, it was describing some major protests that were almost unbelievable, but I just kept reading and took note of what the words described. But, when I turned the page there was a visual of an actual man who set himself on fire in the middle of a street as a way to express his rebellious ideas. The picture was ten times more effective in convincing me of the horribleness of the protests that went on because of simply the stunning visual. It is so much more effective to see than to read in a situation like that because I can actually see a brave man killing himself for a major cause.
1) Signs are a universal way of communicating amongst all people and understanding how they trigger certain thoughts and ideas will help us create new ways of seeing.
ReplyDelete2)I feel it was very important that McCloud explained why and how drawings and words began to grow apart from each other. By doing this, he was really able to help his argument. Beforehand, I was unaware of the historic relationship that words and drawings had. Words were actually pictures at one point, but slowly the written word became more abstract and drowned out the picture. As a result the two grew their separate ways, becoming art forms on their own. Today, however, they can still come together via comics.
3) A point made by Stephens that I absolutely agree with was that images are fake. "They pretend to be what they are not. They lie" (Stephens 2). An image of 100 dollars is worth nothing, its fake but the real thing has value.
I found it unclear as to what side Stephens was taking, or if he was just mutual and stating facts. A point I'd like to argue is on page 6 when he says "nonmoving objects have difficulty conveying certain kinds of meanings." I recall McCloud saying a still image can have motion by adding lines to show movement, so can a still image be just as effective as one with movement?
4) When I was young, I was quite the Lego fan. The instructions were very simple images with arrows telling me what to do. If the instructions were words I probably would have never built Lego's. So images were definitely communicated more effectively in this case.
1)Thesis statement:
ReplyDeleteStreet signs serve a number of purposes for our everday life. Not only do they direct us while driving, street signs express a law. They are even modified to the simplest form to make them easier to understand.
2)While reading UC I found the "different ways in which words and pictures can combine,"(152)
the most interesting. This section of chapter six is probably the only section that I fully understood. It showed me different ways, and that helped me relate to things I have seen in the past. My favorite type is interdependent. I like this method because I feel as if im more involved in the reading. A reading where the obvious is not stated and i have to create my own interpretation.
3)If magic is involved with television would that be the culprint of making MTV such a huge hit?
What is meant by magic?
-A black cauldren and an ugly witch?
4) One time i went to the gym and had just finished swimming. My eyes were bloodshot from the chlorine and i was exhausted. Anyways, I was trying to go to the girls locker room but instead started walking into the mens. If i had not noticed the piture of the mens restroom sign I would have made a complete fool of myself. In this instance I did not have enough time, or awareness to realize what I was doing. But luckily the quick glance of the picture of the men's room saved me. If it had been words saying 'mens locker room' i most likely would have walked in because i would have not taken the time to read it; here the picture was better than words.
1) Graffiti, better known as street art or even better known as high art in its rawest form, brings everything that exists in our environments together, to create "signs" that deserve more attention than a piece of metal warning to watch for pedestrians.
ReplyDelete2) The idea that at one point in history pictures were symbols/words, and as time went on a division took place. And they went in different directions exploring different ideas and eventually becoming totally different mediums. Especially now that we have comics, and a way of telling a story with both pictures and words; both needing as much attention as the other. It's interesting to find, a way of communicating has gone in a full circle.
3) I found his stance on the whole issue between pictures and words very realistic. We need complex images to depend on our verbal language. At this point in our existence as humans it would probably be impossible to depart from written word and depend on pictures to symbolize meaning. We could sit through a whole class debating what McCloud is trying to tell us using words, imagine how many different ideas would come up if we just had pictures to look at and break down. I also found the idea that TV isn't all that bad interesting. I always felt television was mostly a waste of time. I see now that it can be a very powerful tool to get a message across. It's just too bad entertainment and money have so much to do with it. But to see someone explaining their ideas rather than reading what they have to say, can have a huge impact on what we perceive. Whether they're terrible speakers and they should just stick to books or vice versa.
4) When I went to the Norton Simon and saw this painting of a forest, I felt this surge of emotions about being younger. It was like I was reminiscing with a friend from back in the day, but I was just looking at a painting. It was pretty crazy.
1) School logos symbolize the concepts that they stand for through a combination of simplified images and language icons and in a way that evokes prestige and esprit de corps.
ReplyDelete2) At some point in history, pictures went back to being symbolic from being overly representational. The written word turned away from ambiguity and went back to to the more direct and simple style. Both were headed back to where they started and were to collide. I found this interesting because it reminded me of the ironies of life and how history tends to repeat itself. In this way, history "repeated" itself in a revolutionary way because there was more creativity (than ever before) when expressionism and surrealism and other new styles were introduced.
3) I agree with the very first quote because for me, images stick more in our minds for a longer period of time than do words because they are visual, and words seem to just pass our ears when we don't pay attention. It is easier to forget what one hears than what one sees. Also, I think that there are Biblical passages that express antagonism toward images only because the people were supposed to preserve the sanctity of God by not practicing idolatry. It has something more to do with religion and certain beliefs than with images as a form of art. I also do not agree that printed prose is an act of self-denial. Prose is supposed to be and is a medium of actual self-expression in richer and more complex forms.
4) Remembering particular scenes from an actual play made me understand the concepts in the play better than when the script was only read. Seeing scenes in my mind and how they progressed in the play made the emotions more real to me and this made my theater experience more meaningful. I was able to have a firmer grasp on the entire gist of the play while I was writing my reaction paper because of the visual snapshots of the scenes that I had in my head.
1) The way you interpret a sign is not necessarily how another person understands it. For example, some people choose to trust zodiac signs, but scientist and others might view it as the individual’s superstition.
ReplyDelete2) One idea I found interesting in chapter 6 of Understanding Comics is that when we were little pictures and words were used interchangeably. We used to read books with many pictures to help us understand. As we mature we are expected to grow out of this habit and separate the show and tell. As adults we read books without pictures, and paint without any words.
3) On page 8 Stephen states, “ In spoken and written languages, word builds upon words, sentence upon sentence, idea upon idea.” “Unlike paragraphs and lists of words, images have no a priori order in which they should be understood.” I find these two quotes interesting because it basically summarizes the whole paper. What words deliver to us sometimes cannot cover the intention, an example would be during: there’s a new art exhibit someone could verbally be explaining how unique, and talented the artwork are to the class but everyone is picturing their own thoughts and ideas about what it looks like therefore with an image matching the words, it would help convey the message better.
4) When I first moved to California, my friends were talking about how frightening the rides at Six Flags were. I was thinking to myself, it can’t be that bad, and that their just over exaggerating, but when I went there and saw the rides itself, I knew exactly what they were talking about. If there was an image attached to the words, it would of helped.
1) Logos of everyday products at a supermarket all seem to cover a common ground. They attempt to appeal to the customers senses in order to draw them in and cause a feeling of necessity.
ReplyDelete2) I thought it was very interesting when McCloud compared the combination of pictures and words to partnership of dancers. He claimed that if the two do not communicate well then the dance would turn into a mess. Like if the pictures and the words do not flow then the whole comic will be thrown off as if two dancers were trying to lead at the same time.
3) I agree that the introduction of picture-based advertising through MTV greatly changed today's way of depicting what is being said. No longer are words necessary due to the fact that a picture can be much stronger than a sentence. Like the example of the skull and crossbones, which is much more intimidating than just saying "danger" or "keep out". I do disagree with Stephens opinion that much of society are against pictures and believe they can't tell the full story. Like when he brings up a verse in the Old Testament that wasn't relative to his point at all, because it clearly states that just pictures of heaven or hell are not to be drawn.
4) The sight of a beautiful woman communicates much more to me than a description of her. Because a description can't include every little detail that a visual can.
1.) Logos of todays big corporations effectively target their consumers by trying to target key emotions and memories that the viewer has of the companies product.
ReplyDelete2.)What i found interesting in the Chapter 6 was the way modern abstract artist are critiqued. In the book, he showed a group of spectators looking at a very progressive abstract piece and are bashing it dude to its simplicity and minimalist approach. Comics also get this reaction because we feel that they can not be appreciated if they are not life like imitations of something (like the paintings of Rembrandt) I am in favor of what the author says in that we can not judge the art of today with the standards of the past. We must realize that art has come along way since the realist painters of the past. Just because a piece is simple in presentation doesnt mean it loses its artistic merit.
3.) When the author brought up how influential MTV was in creating such a frenzy in the broadcasting world, i totally agreed. From the 1980's on, MTV has been at the forefront for pushing the fads and trends of popular culture. As of recent, MTV has been shying away from their musical roots, and diving into a world which they themselves made popular: reality t.v. With shows like the Real World, modern television was changed and we can not flip on to any channel without seeing a reality show of some kind. One other thing that i found to be quite true was the idea that images can excite the emotions more than words can. I think that seeing a picture will strike way more emotions than any sentence i read. But this is not the case for everyone. I feel this way because i am someone who has to see to believe. I am a big visual learner, so i get alot more out of seeing things.
4.) An that always grabs my attention is the painting "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa." Whenever i see this picture it amazes me because it runs so many different emotions and feelings through me. It is happy and very pessimistic for me at the same time. I feel as if it resembles overcoming big problems in life, but i also feel that these problems would be to overbearing for us.
1. Food logos all have the same purpose of persuading the consumer to buy their product, but each company/logo uses different methods to complete the task.
ReplyDelete2. In chapter 6, McCloud discusses the use of symbols and words as one. I found it interesting how in the beginning pictures and words were virtually the same thing, and at least conveyed the same message. And over time, words and pictures slowly drifted apart having no relationship, but eventually came back together through the medium of comics.
3. I found it interesting when on the first page, Stephens talked about the documentary Decades, and how the producers relied on images, not words, to depict their messages. The pictures were also used to transfer their own meaning as well. I felt that Stephens was wishy-washy throughout the article, and it was hard for me to grasp his stand point. At times I thought he was for images, and then the next page I felt he was against pictures.
4. In history class when learning about the Holocaust, the book tried to depict images for us at how gruesome it was. But words couldn’t even describe the images that I have seen of the Holocaust. Some times images are stronger that words, and can convey a message more effectively.
1) The abstract cherries on yogurt, the pictorial baby on Gerber, the colorful design of the Sprite logo, and the golden arches of McDonalds exemplify the breadth and effectiveness of the medium of signs.
ReplyDelete2) I found the history of words and pictures over the past few centuries to be interesting. It was novel to see how pictures and words went separate directions, before wrapping around and colliding once more. The comic is the child of the contemporary collision between the two.
3) I agree that words and images are advantageous in communicating in different ways, and are weaker when crossing into each other's domain. It supports the arguments of UC in a more cerebral fashion, and presents the history and examples with more detail. It was interesting to note how images bring life and emotion to meaning.
4) A couple years ago I was making fun of my friend over an embarrassing moment. I meant it as a joke, but I didn't know he reacted negatively. Until I noticed his facial reaction did I learn and stop.
1. Company logo can convey messages not just by their average appearances. They can be effective through their uses of symbolic language, symbols, and colors to spark the interests and emotions of the viewers.
ReplyDelete2. One idea that I found interesting in chapter six was that there are categories of how you can combine words and pictures. I have never thought of that idea while reading a novel, comic, or any literary piece. However, no matter which one of the six different categories you use, there is always a balance between words and pictures. I like the comparison McCloud uses when he says, “In comics at its BEST, words and pictures are like PARTNERS in a DANCE and each one takes turns LEADING.”
3. I agree with a lot of what Stephens is saying in his article. One example that he brought up was that of Berrents’s when “relying on flashing images… to communicate their own meanings… These images are intended to take the place of words.” Sometimes images should be replaced with words to portray a message in a different light. I also agree with his point on how “Images can entrance,” like in television where it is not sufficiently challenging to watch, often portraying objects as unreal.” I have always been a more visual learning, and Stephens’s example of scientist Gould when he states that “Primates are visual animals,” and that “we think best in pictorial or geometric terms,” helped reinforced that thinking.
4. One time where a visual image communicated more effectively with me than words was when I was learning Vietnamese at a young age. I would first learn to match sounds with pictures of that sound before learning to write out the language. When I started learning about animals, I would pronounce the animals name then match it with a picture. If I had writing instead of the picture, then I would have a more difficult time matching sounds to actual objects inside of my head.
1)The use of signs on a cereal box greatly increases the "buying power" of the product, through silent but powerful communication.
ReplyDelete2) I find it interesting how there seems to be such a stigma on comics. The common misconseption is that comics are simple and unsophisticated, when in reality, they are actually the culmination of thousands of years of pictoral and linguistic evolution. Comics represent a full circle event, wherein words and pictures coexist once again. The false perception that comics are a recent invention has led to the "curse of all new media." They are judged by the standards of the old, which is absurd, because comics are as old as it gets for art and language.
3) I agree with the idea that pictures can actually be better communicators than words. They provide an instantaneous correspondence of ideas, through the use of the most dominant of our five senses, sight. Words, on the other hand require an intense thought process based on years of learning. Where I disagree with the author is on his idea that images are "inherently unnatural" and some product of magic. I view images as the natural outcome, of our obsession with sight. Out of all our senses, we rely most heavily upon our ability to see, and images are simply an expansion of that ability.
4) Like most people, I'm familiar with some Greek mythology, but not in detail. One story that I have heard of is how Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest, ate his son's out of the fear that they would one day overthrow him. Of course I think the story is disgusting and wrong, but overall it doesn't evoke very much emotion. After all, it's just a story. My junior year of high school I saw the painting "Saturn Devouring His Sons" by Francisco Goya. To this day, I literally find it hard to look at this painting, because it conveys so much raw insanity and depravity, emotions that the story barely touched on.