Assignment: Image Scale
• Scale Task:
Now we will study the same questions by changing the acting variable to 'scale'.
Task 03:
This task will tackle the third variable. 'Scale' will act as the third independent variable with same questions to be answered. Something smaller in its scale will be termed as far and bigger in its scale will be considered as near. The variable of 'Distance' and 'Value', will not be considered while judging your solutions. Complete the task by altering the scale of the words adhering to the logic of the questions asked.
• Solution - Image Scale:
• Feedback - Image Scale:
In Task 1 and Task 2 you have depicted the word 'Death' further than the word birth date hence, in this solution, where 'Scale' is the only acting variable, death could have been smaller than birthrate to get closer to the appropriate solution, reducing visual confusion for the user. We are not considering the word on the basis of area covered.
• Queries and Observations - Image Scale:
Queries:
Define reference point in relation to the assignment?
Reference point is a point from where the user is told to begin scanning information and further visually guide him or her to the next position/ point of the related word. It should conclude into a visual judgment of plotting the distance between two words. Resulting in an answer to the question asked.
Observations:
If we analyze the given words and questions asked they form three distinct groups based on time (birthdates, birthday and death), “qualities, (dumb and intellectual ) and relationships ‘father, mother and friends’.
These three heads or labels (time, qualities and the relationships) under which the respective groups are formed affect the positioning of the words in other groups, with respect to the name acting as the central point of reference. At times the words within the groups are also seen to be compared.
The third variable is the scale of the word which was earlier referred as size; size was misinterpreted by students as font size, sometimes as the area covered (rather than the scale). There was a noticeable tendency amongst students to plot the words in relation to the form size, in figures (I.e. 72 pts font was larger is size than the 70 pt font) to justify it as a logically correct solution. The difference was correct when quantified in numbers, but was not enough for a user to visually judge the difference between two words which they were suppose to compare. Therefore, visual judgments were more crucial for the user while creating visual hierarchies decisions, rather than quantified differences, which were almost negligible to their perception. Although quantified differences were precise but they were not enough to clear the ambiguity of the user towards differentiating contrast and scales, which were meant to be experienced, “ objects appear smaller in distances and parallel line appear to become closer and merge as they move away from us. (Meggs, 1989, page 69)
In task 03 with scale as the acting variable switching off the other two, there was an invisible introduction of emphasis to the word whose scale was highest amongst the placed words.
• References and Foot-Notes:
Philip B. Meggs, Type and Image, The language of Graphic Design, John Wiley and Sons, Inc, ISBN-047128492-0.
• Perception: Limits and character of visual information
Contrasts:
Refers to the contrast created by the written word to the white space in which it is placed, along with other words.