Visual+Literacy


 * ﻿Visual Literacy **



**1.) __MY INTERPRETATION__**
 * My interpretation of this visual message is that it is meant to call attention to the immense amount of meat that Americans consume. One can tell by the title of visual (“Overproteined”) that the image is meant to convey the idea that Americans eat a profuse amount of meat, and that this amount is probably higher than it needs to be. **


 * 2.) __OVERALL DESIGN IN TERMS OF PAT (POSITIVE & NEGATIVE)__ **


 * In terms of PAT (Perceptions, Actions, and Tools), the visual uses a hierarchy perception as it begins with the smallest amount to the left (the number of Big Macs eaten per year at 600 million) and moves to the right through progressively larger numbers showing increasing amounts of meat eaten, finally ending at 20 billion hot dogs as the largest amount. The perception is effective as it leads the viewer through the image. This is also done through some of the gestalt contiguity perception in the image as the eye follows an implied zig-zag path, beginning by reading the box topped by the picture of a hamburger, down to the boxes with a chick and part of a KFC carton in front of them, and then over to the box with a hot dog in front of it. Also, we see some further gestalt through a similarity perception as each box conveying a fact is the exact same size and distance from the next box and each is headed with a bold black number. This keeps the visual neat as well as easy to read and interpret. When it comes to actions, some contrast is seen through white letters and the black bar heading at the top of the visual and also the vertical bars used to divide the boxes from one another. This contrast helps divide up the image into important components. Repetition is seen through elements such as box size and the same bold black numbers at the top of each box, which gives the visual a consistent look. The boxes are neatly aligned in a straight row so that the reader may quickly and easily read through the hierarchy. As to proximity, the boxes are arranged closely together, one right next to another. This shows that they are related and leads from one box to the next. One of the tools utilized in this visual message is the use of typography through consistent use of a bold font used on the heading and in each box. Aside from on the heading, the same color (black) and font sizing is used in each box for consistency. Also, each box is a pastel shade (making the writing on top easier to see and read) and each clip-art food picture is lifelike and realistic in color, which is aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. Regarding space and shape, each box is the same exact size and rectangular shape, and clip-art in the shapes of the foods discussed in the boxes is used to create visual interest and recognition. **


 * 3.) __IMPROVEMENT OF THE VISUAL TO ENHANCE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONVENING MESSAGE__ **


 * My biggest criticism of this visual is that while each segment contains a large, bold black number at the top of each box, underneath which is written million or billion in slightly smaller letters, the third box from the left contains no such subscript. This leaves the viewer confused as to whether the number being presented is 127 million or billion, each of which convey a much larger or smaller number. And if the viewer assumes that the subscript should read “billion” (since the boxes to the left and right of it are in the billions), then the boxes are out of order and 127 billion should be to the far right as it would be largest number. To increase the visual’s effectiveness, perhaps some form of a bar graph or picture chart displaying the numbers discussed would make the graphic easier to comprehend through the use of further visuals which can be compared to one another. **


 * __*Reflection*:__ The purpose of this visual literacy assignment was to bring to prospective teachers’ attention the importance of visual messages. We were exposed to the visual design principals of the PAT model (which stands for Perceptions, Actions, and Tools) and learned about how they contribute to conveying a message to the viewer. As an assignment, we focused on analyzing the effectiveness of a visual message from our own perspective in terms of its meaning and good use of design elements, as well as providing a critique as to how the visual could be improved. Being a very visual person and learner myself, I enjoyed learning about how certain elements can be used to create a strong visual that has meaning for the viewer. I know I will be using these principles and elements in the future when designing visual aids for my classroom so as to create effective and useful visuals for my students to learn from and refer to. **