Design Evaluation

 Good Design

Bad Design

Comparing the packaging of this I naturally gravitate to the top bottle of shampoo.

I rely on the sleek design of the top because it is easier to hold on to. I know this seems like a little thing, but in a shower when everything is wet things get slippery and the top bottle provides more function because it fits into your hand and isn't slippery. The design of the top bottle is also complementary to the conditioner bottle because they fit together, side by side as a pair. Naturally you want to buy both of them because one looks left out if you buy it alone.

Also in the packaging of the first one I see the yin and yang qualities with the top and bottom. As you go from top to bottom the circle of the lids keep going drawing your eyes in a circle.

Herbal Essences uses a stronger plastic, where Suave uses more rubberized plastic that is flimsy and collapses.

Design in Identity-

When you see Herbal Essences you know what you are looking at. They have the same design in all of their products. They keep the same design going to keep their identity the same.

Suave changes the bottle and design as the prices go from low to high. This bottle is in the mid-range of prices (it says family size on the bottle) and the 99 cent ones are more tapered at the top. They don't stay the same, so they only reason you know what you are looking at is if you look at the label.

Gestalt in Architechture

Law of Similarity:

This represents the law of similarity because instead of traveling across the picture to the three different elements our eyes automatically travel up and down with the grass, then the cement, then rocks separately.

Law of Proximity and Continuity

This represents the law of proximity because the wooden stairs are grouped together and the shadows cast across the stairs are grouped together by the eyes almost as a different set of stairs. This photo also represents continuity because the line of the stairs inside flows through the window to the set of stairs outside almost like the window isn't there.

Law of Pragnanz

This photo is pretty evident that it is the law of pragnanz because at first glance it is just a blue wall, but when you step back and look at it you can tell that it is meant to be a cloud of book spines.

Law of Closure

This is the law of closure because all of the couches are in a straight line and towards the end they start to appear as one long couch instead of separate ones.

Figure ground relationship

This photo creates a strange figure ground relationship because the glass reflects the ground below it so it is hard to tell where the ground begins and the balcony ends. My feet and the beam in the frame are the only things that show how far away the ground really is in comparison to my feet.

Contrast, Balance, Harmony

This video shows amazing contrast. It is completely in shadow, but the background is always colorful and it creates the contrast between light and dark that everyone sees as the greatest contrast. I can also see contrast in how the colors behind the dancers because they are in shadow. They create emotion and harmony in the way they move and create different images with their bodies.

I watched this and was moved because of the story that was created without words. They created a story with their bodies. I know the music is not part of visual communication, but the music creates harmony too because it fits with the story they are telling.

All in all this is a beautiful interpretation of a love story with just shadows. Light and dark, and contrast and harmony.

My Visceral Response

This photo creates the stupefying response in me. When I see this I stop and stare. I am drawn to this photo for many reasons.

There are a lot of elements in this photo. The line I can see the easiest is the line going up between the two horsemen and continuing up the temple in the background to the spire at the top. I love that there is even a line in the concrete sidewalk that helps to draw the eye to the temple.

The colors in this photo create a contrast with the white temple and the bronze horsemen. The blue sky and white clouds almost create a frame for the temple within the frame of the photo. I also think the colors serve as a frame to keep the eye in the center of the photo. The color is on the outside edges but the focal point of the photo is in the center.

The line in the center gives this photo a sense of depth. You can sense how tall the temple is behind the horsemen as it rises into the clouds in the background.