Final Project

Interior Visual Communication

I have selected two dining rooms that are different in style and come from different interior design magazines. Both of these spaces used different materials, furniture, arrangements, and color choices to visually communicate their design concepts and their owner’s/designer’s personal tastes. Even in their differences, both of these interiors can be appreciated and admired for their designs.

Architectural Digest

Located in the Manhattan apartment of historian Barbara Goldsmith, this dining room was featured in the December 2006 issue of Architectural Digest. I chose this image because I was struck by the casual elegance of this dining room. The art and books that cover the walls would be expected to be seen in a library or a study. However, being placed in this dining room adds an unexpected element and makes the room unique. I was also drawn to the rich architectural moldings and built-in structural elements that adorn the room. These elements give the room a traditional formality that conveys classic elegance. However, the asymmetrical design of the room, the casual arrangement of books on the low coffee table, and the whimsical bright red armchair in the background makes this room feel casual and homey.

Historical

This room has many historical elements that make it classified as a traditional Federal style dining room. The coffered architectural moldings bordering the top of the bookcases are classic Federal design elements. The antique wooden ladder inspires ideas of the traditional libraries found in the private residences of upper class Federation homes.

The dining room table set is where the complexity of historical labeling becomes difficult. The table itself is an Art Deco design that the owner purchased at an auction house in Europe (Architectural Digest). The dining room chairs are an interesting mix of classic and modern. The legs of the chairs are splayed and capped in metal. This type of leg is a classic design that was first used by the French in the Provincial period. However, Provincial chairs have rounded backs that are only partially upholstered. The chairs in this apartment’s dining room have high, vertical square backs that are very Post Modern.

Ethical and Cultural

The ethical argument in this image would be the unusual arrangement of different elements and applications that don’t fit the normal or traditional styles of design. One could argue that a library should not be placed in an eating area. Moreover, the pairing of Art Deco, Federal, and Contemporary styles applied to the room also make it unusual.

While these design “taboos” may be considered by some to be flaws, more and more designers are pairing pieces and design elements from many different styles. Furthermore, having a space service many different purposes has been in practice in primitive dwellings throughout history. Both of these elements make this space an interesting arrangement that Architectural Digest felt was worthy of its pages.

Critical

I believe that this image is successful in conveying the visual effects of the space. The natural lighting coming through the window adds to the casual, welcoming sensation the space invokes. The temperature of the lighting is slightly cooler, making the room feel energetic and bright. The color of the space is moderately neutral. There is pleasing contrast in the bright white bookcases and ceiling with the dark wood tones of furniture and hounds-tooth patterned hardwood floors. Splashes of color, such as the red armchair, forest green goblets on the table, and various accessories throughout the space, provide further interest and depth of this dining room.

Architectural Digest is a prestigious design magazine that features the most high-end interiors and popular designers. Its audiences range from architectural firms, interior designers, and anyone who as an appreciation for design or beautiful living spaces. The spaces featured in this magazine display the current trends in the design industry as well as provide an inspiration and advertisement for designers. The interiors in Architectural Digest are very high-end and the materials and products in them are most often very expensive. The designers the magazine features come from prestigious design firms whose clients are extremely wealthy.

This dining room is a successful representation of the use of light, color, placement, texture, and form in a space that is comfortable and versatile. As a future interior design, I hope to design spaces that have the aesthetic beauty and welcoming diversity that this space has achieved.

Domino

The second interior space that I have chosen to analyze is also a dining room but contrasts with the traditional, classic dining room in Architectural Digest. This dining room, featured in an October 2005 Domino Magazine article, is very trendy and contemporary. I chose it because I was attracted to the bright, fresh lavender on the walls. This color makes the space feel young and energizing. I like that the space has a modern and contemporary style to it without being stark and cold like so many interiors of this style are. I also like the informality of the table settings. This image reminded me a of a casual Sunday lunch on a sunny spring afternoon.

Historical

While this dining room is Modern, there are historical elements in it as well. The dining room chairs chosen for this space are a modern take on the classical Greek Klismos chair. The splayed legs and splat back make this chair reminiscent of the classic Greek design but the larger opening on the back rest and the softer curves throughout make this chair a more modern rendition.

The dining room table is a classic design by Eero Saarinen from 1957. The design of the “cast aluminum base [is] inspired by a drop of high-viscosity liquid” (Design Within Reach). Saarinen felt that excessive table legs were unnecessary and that design should be practical and adhere directly to the purpose of the object. This table brings a modern and sculptural element to this space that creates interest.

The chandelier also creates interest and whimsy in this dining room. This Artichoke Lamp, also from the 50s, has been used in an array of modern interiors. This, too, adds a sculpture while having a practical purpose as well. And while it is made of laser-cut polished steel, the leaves of the chandelier are layered, adding texture.

Ethical and Cultural

This dining room is a Modern space with many design elements from our contemporary era. Many critics of this design style have called the Modern period cold and stark. Modernists do prefer little to no ornamentation or detailing. Many Modern designers are stereotyped by this and are steered away from. Contrary to this belief, Modernists do produce architecture and interiors that are warm and homey. This dining room, while being Modern and Contemporary, is welcoming and inviting. The cool lavender color is relaxing and calming; yet the warm sunshine coming from the large vertical windows make this room friendly and comfortable. Even without the frills and decoration that has been popular in previous periods, the space would be one that many would feel welcomed.

Critical

The large vertical windows in this room are a graph vector that extends the eyes up and give the illusion of a higher ceiling. The chandelier that is hung from the ceiling high over the table also produces this effect. The cool lavender color of the walls makes this dining room feel calming and relaxing. This is balanced by the warm wood tones of the dining chairs. The sunlight coming from the windows reflects off the shiny, polished surfaces of the hardwood floor and table, giving this image pop and sparkle. There is contrast between the curves of the chairs and the Saarinen table to the sharp angles of the black-framed mirrors. All these elements combine to make this interior interesting and balanced. This room is successful in conveying the visual message that contemporary interiors can incorporate elements that will make them warm, comfortable, and inviting. I hope that I can incorporate these concepts into my future designs.

Domino Magazine is a trendier magazine than the traditional Architectural Digest. It caters to a younger audience that might be more open-minded to new and innovative ideas from the design industry. It also targets people who might not know very much about design since it has many articles suggesting color schemes and do-it-yourself home ideas. The designers Domino features are usually younger and seem to represent the younger urban scene. This magazine is also more budget conscious. It offers tips on bargain shopping and ideas of how to get good design while spending the least amount of money.

Conclusion

Both of these magazines featured dining rooms that are beautiful and successful in expressing their individual design styles. While the magazines cater to different audiences, both of these interiors can be admired by someone who appreciates quality design. As a future interior design, I hope that I can learn from both of these styles and incorporate the different elements and principles found in both. In the end, the clients’ tastes will dictate the type of the visual impact their space will communicate. With the blending of the different ideas and styles, this communication can deliver a vast array of concepts in designed interiors.

Al Jazeera vs. CNN

Image from Al Jazeera’s article, Pakistan judges to be reinstated

This Image is from CNN’s article, Fired Judges Getting Jobs Back

I choose two articles regarding the reinstatement of Pakistan’s judges who were removed from power by President Pervez Musharraf last year. The above image is from CNN’s coverage of the story and the below image is from the coverage of the story by Al Jazeera, a controversial middle eastern news agency.

The titles themselves paint in obvious bias when the viewer decides the read the article. The CNN’s title, Fired Judges Getting Jobs Back, sounds cold and impartial towards the judges. FIRED, a loaded word brings the immediate thoughts to my mind of Why were they fired? Did they deserve? If someone is fired, especially someone in the political lime light, it is usually for good reason. So should they be getting their job back? The CNN article goes on to clearly explain the events that the man, Nawaz Shariff (who is pictured in the above pictures), and what his actions are going to be. Shariff is the Pakistan former Prime Minister and the leader of the country’s new coalition.

The Al Jazeera article title, Pakistan Judges to be Reinstated, is much more neutral in its projecting opinion.  This is ironic because this article is much more heated in its discussion and presentation of the information. The title makes you feel neutral towards the news but as you read on you begin to feel for the judges and are angered by the regime that removed them from power.  The article discusses how there the supreme court was preparing to rule on the legality of Pervez Musharraf’s October election by the previous parliament to a new five-year presidential term.  Musharraf had the judges arrested for “corruption and conspiring against him and political plans.”

It is very hard for me to tell which new reporting organization did a better job of reporting the facts of this story.  I think CNN did a better job of writing a non-emotional news report.  The Al Jazeera article does make you feel a certain way about the political stances of the people involved but if those are the true facts of what is happening within this story than they did a very good job of reporting this.  Its very hard to conclude which article is more truthful and unbaised.

The Al Jazeera article does the best job of painting Pervez Musharraf as the evil other.  Even in the image that represents the article, the underdogs that are shown who are rising up against Musharraf are shown as calm friendly, well-dressed gentlemen.  They are not intimidating and they seem to be very intelligent.  After reading the article you have respect for these men and you want them to “win” the fight that they are undertaking. The CNN article’s image makes the same man appear to be in a heated political argument.  I believe this image goes more in line with the truth of the story. I believe he must do a lot of arguing and debating before this matter is going to be resolved.

That’s Questionable!

I think it is questionable that the best illustration of Arab culture shown to us in class is Aladdin and Lawrence of Arabia.  The second film didn’t bother me as much as the first.  Is a cartoon the most reliable insight into the Arabian society.  I do believe that there are a few scenes in this movie that accurately  illustrate Arabian culture but the scene that was chosen to be showed to us was a tradesman hustling his merchandise.  Why not choose the scene where Jasmine and Aladdin are walking through the market place?  Or the scene where the two characters are at the festival which is filled with representations of Arabian culture, including examples of Arabian femininity.  I thought that this was a very stereotypical representation of Arabian culture which might have inspired a biased towards this culture.  This type of action had no place in a college classroom…especially an upper division class.

Evil Other

This is a photograph of the popular rap star Eminem. I chose him to represent the evil in our pop culture because of the controversy that surrounded him and his lyrics. Eminem rapped about very provocative and controversial topics and was severely and publicly scrutinized for his music.

Personal- When looking at this image I have a sense of fear come into me. His eyes seem very angry and they make me afraid of him. I think this image reflects his music which conveys the same feeling. Even though it is on the line of discomfort and you want to turn away, you listen anyway; just like looking at this image.

Technical- The lighting in this image is a strong key like coming from infront and slightly below the subject. This gives him that erie, out of this world feeling that makes the viewer so uncomfortable. T This key light has a high intensity which causes the fast fall off seen around his face and neck. This contrast between the highlights and low lights of the image as stir visual interest. The reflect of the key light in Eminem’s eyes makes him look like an alien or some spooky non-human figure. The photograph is a close up of his face and upper body. The added visual effects of the blocks around is face are also interesting. They pull details of the image forward and add depth and interest to this photograph. These blocks seem to be projecting off of Eminem and I can’t help but feel like he is the one pushing them towards me with his scary eyes.

Ethical, Cultural, and Critical- Enimem’s music discusses topics such as, violence against women, child abuse, racial and heterosexual prejudice, and substance abuse. He was the first popular music artist to have these topics in his lyrics and talk about them casually, even endorsing these acts. Eminem’s immense popularity made him a target for political rights groups around the world. Parents went crazy saying Eminem’s lyrics were going to corrupt the youth of the country. The fact that every 13 year old boy buzzed and bleached his hair didn’t help Eminem’s case. He definitely influenced our society and I can’t agrue that it was for the better. His music was very degrading and hateful. It did have good beast and Eminem does have a talent for making rimes but the songs were so full of hate and anger that it was hard to appreciate him as an artist. It immunized society and lowered our shock value. After listening to some of Eminem’s music it is hard to be shocked by something else.

I’ll admit that I have listened to many of his songs and have even bought his CDs. But I feel Eminem represents evil because of his intolerance of minorities and free speech of taboo topics in his music. Eminem raised the standards of what must be done in order to shock our culture. He represents the intolerance and prejudice that popculture tolerates and I believe this constitutes as evil.

This is a famous photograph of an Arab woman that was featured on the cover of National Geographic in 1985.  It is included on the National Geographic list of their 100 best photographs.  The article says that she is 12 years old and she had fled from her native Afghanistan to a refuge camp in Pakistan.

Personal-

This photograph is so striking because intense gaze coming from this young girl.  Her eyes seem to pierce right through you and it is hard to maintain their gaze for an extended period of time.  There are so many things that I can see in her eyes.  She seems defiant and yet repressed.  There is hurt, pain, and suffering as well as a strong will and desire.  You can see that she is living in a world that is out of her control and she is very aware that things are not as they should be.

Historical-

This photograph was taken almost 20 years before the current war in the middle east had begun.  This article in the National Geographic magazine was the first publicity to draw attention to the issues of women’s suffering and oppression within this culture.  It led to women’s rights social groups and other social volunteers to start pouring into the area and start helping women and children.  National Geographic did a latter issue in 2002, inspired by all the media attention in the middle east after the events of September 11th, on the same woman.  It was tragic to see how much she had changed over the 17 years.  Her eyes were not longer as green, her nose had been broken several times, and her face was heavy and wrinkled.  They guessed her age to be in the early 30s but she looked twice that.

Technical-

The most obvious technical element in this photograph is the intense index vector coming from the girl’s eyes.  There is a key light coming from the right of the photograph which creates fall off around her features.  This is a extreme close up of her face.  The contrast in the color between the elements of the photograph also adds to the pleasure of the composition.  Her intense green eyes are balance but the equally bright green background and they contrast nicely with the warmer hue of her red bur qua around her head.  This lighting also highlights her face and makes it the focal point of the image.  The neutral tone of her tan skin also adds in the intensity of the eyes.

Ethical, Cultural, and Critical-

The ethical element of this analysis is the feeling that her eyes effect on the reader.  Her clothing is worn and torn and you know just by her ethnicity that she is living in a reign where she is severely oppressed.  Do you help her?  Do you feel that her stare is a warning?  Showing her defiance and strong will.  Can she handle her own?  If you feel that she deserves to be helped and saved from the world that she knows, why?

The cloth that she wears around her head is symbolic of middle eastern femininity.  But would she wear it if she had the choice?  Middle eastern femininity has not be allowing to thrive and evolve but it has been defined.  Women are often repressed and serrated in their culture.  They very rarely have a choice in anything that they do and are heavily directed and influenced but their male dominated society.

Movie Scene Analysis

I analyzed the film Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Particularly scene 11 where Brad and Angelina Jolie have just learned that the other person is a spy. In the movie they are typical suburbanites living in vanilla wedding bliss. They are both highly paid lethal assassins who work for rival organizations. When they find out that they are eachother’s next target they learn the true identity of eachother. In this scene, they are having an ordinary dinner except both believe that they know something that the other one doesn’t. They are trying to act like nothing is wrong while plotting the way to kill one another.

Personal-

My personal reaction from this scene is suspense. As the viewer, I know that they are both spies and I know that they both think that the other one doesn’t know…when they really do. (confusing to explain…sorry). During the scene I keep wondering which one is going to make the first move. I keep looking for clues as to which one is going to make the first move towards harming or even killing the other.

Historical-

I never really know what to put for this section and I really hate it….I guess the historical reference could be the “fake” storybook perfection that this couple is living in that is really a lie. At the beginning of the scene, Brad Pitt pulls up the house which is the typical suburban home. It is absolutely beautiful with a white picket fence and every blade of grass in the perfect place. Everything seems to be perfect, but it isn’t. The couple are both spies and using the other as their cover up. They really don’t even know each other. This kind of reminds me of The Robinsons. They seemed perfect on the outside but really were quite dysfunctional. The whole scene of the dinner also has some historical elements that I recognize but can not identify. During the scene, Brad Pitt is hesitant the eat the food because he fears it might be poisoned. We have all seen films where the enemy is befriended only to be defeated. This scene reminds me of such an encounter.

Technical-

The scene starts out in the car with Brad Pitt as he drives up to the house to find his wife whom he has just found out is a spy for a rival assassin company. The camera angle makes you feel like you are a passenger in the backseat of the car. As Brad enters you walk with him as he secures the scene and looks for Angelina. Inside the house the lighting is very warm. The sources of light come from various ceiling lights, the fireplace, and candles throughout the room. The bulk of the scene takes place at the dinner table. The camera shifts between Brad and Angelina in a medium close up. There is a point in the scene when it climaxes and Brad think that his wife has poisoned him. The camera shifts to the mirror where there is a reflection of poisonous household cleaners in the reflection. Then the camera shifts to a close up of Brad chewing his food and then back to Angelina who has an unsuspecting look on her face and then back to Brad who exaggerates the swallowing of his food. He does this to show that he isn’t scared of anything that she may try to throw at him throughout the course of the evening.

Ethical, Cultural, Critical-

The ethical perspective is that this couple is married while plotting to kill one another. The common consenses of our society is that a couple should marry for love and the holes of spending their lives together in happiness. Instead, these two spies married thinking that the other would be a good cover-up. Then when they find out the truth, they are shocked to learn that their whole marriage has been a lie when each of them was equally contributing to it. Then their spouse turns into their next hit. Talk about ’til death do us part!

At the beginning of the scene, Angelina greets Brad at the door with drinks in hand and dinner on the table. Everything is perfect and it appears that she is the epitome of the suburban housewife. This makes the viewer feel that something else is going on here and that nothing can be a perfect as it appears.

Sorority Subculture

 

This is photograph of a few of the UNR Sorority houses on the corner of Sierra and 9th Street.

1.   Personal-   My personal reaction to this photograph is recognition of my home.  I live in Kappa Alpha Theta which is the center house in the photograph (yellow).  I have been apart of the sorority for 2 years and have lived in the house since September.  Looking at this photograph reminds my of all the great memories that I have shared here.  This is also the path that I walk to school everyday so My mind also goes towards memories of school.  I’m also thinking about what a beautiful day it was on the afternoon that I took this picture and how I wish everyday in Reno could be like this.

2.  Historical-   There is a somewhat long history of the sorority system.  Currently, they are easily described as social organizations for women in higher education.  For centuries, men have had secret clubs and social organizations that were very exclusive and included an initiation process for membership.  These types of men’s fraternities evolved onto university campuses and eventually women wanted to be apart of this as well.  Since women were not allowed to become members, they created their own organizations with various symbols and, of course, the Greek Letters.  Originally, before the term sorority was used, they were called women’s fraternities.  Greek letters were originally used to disguise the name or the meaning of the organization.  Today they are used to identify the fraternities and sororities, giving them the title of the Greek System and their members, Greeks.  Many Greek sororities have house that their members can live in.  This photograph is an example of such houses as well a displaying their close proximity to eachother.  To see a indepth history and further information.

3.   Technical-  There is not much technical photography in play here.  The photo was taken outside so there is diffused ambient light throughout the photograph which comes from the sun.  There are graph vectors in the horizontal line of the sidewalk infront of the houses and in the crosswalk moving towards the first house on the right. 

4.   Ethical, Cultural, Critical-   Cutural elements of the photograph are the symbology behind greek organizations.  There is level of secrecy maintained by these prganizations so nonmembers often have misconceptions about the workings of the Greek system.  As a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, I can consist that most of these assumptions are false and the greek systems has offered me chance to get involved in the university, make great friends and furthur connections, and have support in my social, academic, and expanding life.  The fact that the photograph shows these three greek houses all in a row is a signifier of the closeness of the the Greek community.  This is a sign of the tight social network of fratnerities and sororities.   There are two different reactions that viewer may have towards this depending on one thing: whether or not the viewer is Greek or not.  A Greek viewer will observe this photograph and remember the good or bad times that they shared.  They would be able to relate to this photograph because their Greek organization would have had a house or a place that was their home base. A non-Greek viewer would probably dismiss this photo since they couldn’t relate to the symbolism behind these houses.  The sorority subculture is very strong and is one that girls will immediately identify themselves as.  We proudly wear our sweatshirts with our greek letters on them and we mainly socialize in the Greek networks.  There are many stereotypes that come along with being a member of this subculture but the costs don’t out weigh the benefits.  Even once a member becomes an alumnae , they will still identify with their Greek organization. 

That’s Questionable!

I didn’t really find anything questionable in this week’s reading of Chapter 9.  I really enjoyed reading about Saul Bass and what an influential and exciting career he has had.  I had never even heard of him until reading this chapter and yet I am amazed by the fact that I have seen his work everywhere, almost everyday, for my entire life.  Bass had a remarkable career and truly shaped the graphic design industry.  I especially liked:

“Saul Bass was a master at distilling a visual message to its most essentail part.  He understood the importance of visual communication in gaining a viewer’s attention and the message in a person’s long-term memory.” (Pg. 155)

 I believe sometimes we lose sight in the field of visual communication in our single most important goal.  Having our image be significant enough to be remember by our viewer.  Bass obviously had a flair for achieving this and I believe this is what made him as successful as he was.

High School Zeitgeist

Personal

My personal opinion of this image is shock.  I still remember watching the Super Bowl my junior year of high school. I never really cared for the sports themselves but I still looked forward to the commercials and the half-time performance.  I’ll never forget the shocking gasps that were heard throughout the living room when the disturbing incident occurred.  And then seeing it over and over again has the boys reviewed it on the Tivo.

Historical

I’m not sure about the historical analysis of this image.  I would love some suggestions in the comments that you guys leave. Thanks!

 Technical

This photograph is a medium shot of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake.  There is high intensity key lighting coming from above and slightly right direction.  There is also a low intensity fill light coming from the above left.  Finally, there is back light coming from behind the performers. There is a strong graphic vector coming from Justin’s eyes pointing directly at Janet’s chest.  This draws your eyes to her chest even we you are searching the photograph for other signs.  There are index vectors coming from Janet’s hands as she covers her body.  This signifies that she is trying to protect herself and shield herself from sight.  Janet’s head is looking down, this signifier could be a sign that she is embarrassed by reveling herself.  I also notice a difference in attire between Justin and Janet.  Justin is wearing a very casual, right-off-the-street look.  This could be a signifier that he is not supposed to be the center of all the attention. You get the feeling that he wasn’t even really prepared for the performance, let alone exposing Janet’s chest.  It makes me wonder if he was wearing something different, like a male-dominant outfit like a fitted leather suit, would he have been labeled a womanizer for exposing Janet when she seemed so unsuspecting?

Ethical, Cultural, and Critical

Obviously there are many ethical images going on in this image.  In our society it is taboo for a woman to show her chest in public….especially on national television.  It is the ethical responsibility of the viewer to be polite and look away from the image and yet its so hard to tear your eyes away. A cultural meaning in this images could be Janet’s leather attire.  In American culture this sort of outfit is considered very seductive and sexual.  She has been a sex symbol for a long time in the music industry and this outfit definitely fits her profile as this.  There are little things that go wrong in such a big production like the Superbowl so it is obvious that this event was planned….Then why the surprised look on both of their faces?  And Janet’s nipple clip (which is not shown in this image) shows that she was must have been prepared for this event to happen.  Why did she feel the need to decorate her breast? Maybe she felt that her natural nipple was not flashy enough for the entertainment-thursty fans?  Maybe she just wears them all the time and wanted to show the world her favorite accessory?  Maybe this is a sign of the impossible body images that are in our society and how, not only we have to decorate our bodies with clothing and jewelry, but we also have to accessorize our private parts to make them appealing and competitive to potential suitors.  Does the fact that Justin is staring so intently at her breast solidify this argument? 

This image definitely reminds me of my high-school days and in a way, I miss them. Since this event, the FCC really came down on television companies to censor their programs.  It will be a long time until we get to see further aspects of Janet Jackson or any other pop stars.

That’s Questionable!

I think the 6 image analysis questions are questionable! The first three steps are fine, even giving an interesting aspect with the historical element of the images. But the last three not only over lap but they are definately blurry.  Especially the cultural and ethical aspect of this analysis tool.  I believe that ethical outlooks are almost always determined by a person’s culture and societal upbringing.  Ethics vary amoung communities and cultures.  Therefore I think these two steps should be combined to simplify these analysis steps.