A PRIMER OF VISUAL LITERACY, CH. 2-3
Donis A. Dondis
In the Figjam file, use the commenting feature to highlight a passage you'd like to discuss in next week's class, and write with a sentence or two about why you chose that passage. Some prompts:
You may also bring In an Image that demonstrates the concepts In the chapter by copy/pasting or dragging and dropping it into the file alongside the relevant location in the reading.
- I found this interesting/surprising because...
- I disagree with this because...
- This made me think of something else [from another class, another context]
- respond to another students' comments in Figma
You may also bring In an Image that demonstrates the concepts In the chapter by copy/pasting or dragging and dropping it into the file alongside the relevant location in the reading.
Pre-Reading Context
As you begin your design education, understanding how we process visual information is fundamental to creating effective communication. Dondis explores the basic elements and principles that make visual messages work.Key Comprehension Questions
- Visual Elements: Dondis identifies basic visual elements (dot, line, shape, direction, tone). Which THREE of these elements do you think are most important for digital interface design, and why?
- Compositional Techniques: The author discusses balance, stress, leveling, sharpening, ambiguity, and other compositional strategies. How might "leveling" vs. "sharpening" apply to logo design? Give a specific example of each approach.
- Visual Syntax: Dondis argues that visual communication has its own "grammar." What does this mean, and how does it compare to written language rules?
Connection to Current Work
- Interface Applications: Looking ahead to your upcoming projects, which of Dondis' compositional techniques would be most important for organizing information in a digital collection interface? Explain your reasoning.
- Personal Analysis: Analyze your favorite app's home screen using THREE of Dondis' visual elements. What makes the composition successful or unsuccessful