Basic Elements

Dimension is clearly active in this 2 dimensional visual representation of a sport racing seat produced by Recaro. The two angle view of the seat and the noted measurements allow the reader to make a full interpretation of actual size and shape of the seat based on his/her depth perception.    

 

Dots are clearly active in this 3 dimensional computer aid drafting model of this wheel rim design. The dots are used to create points in space to form the spokes, wheel lug heads, and round shape diameter of the wheel rim. The sequence of dots eventually leads to the complete physical surface and structure of the design.

Lines are clearly active in this 2 dimensional sketch of the bicycle design. The lines are used to define the elements of the handle bars, frame, seat, wheels, and pedal assembly in the development process. The sequence of lines and the elements as a whole eventually make up a complete physical structure of the bicycle design.

Design Success and Failure in Relation to Syntactical Guidelines

When BMW decided to produce the 2002 model back in the late 1960's to the mid 1970's they took into account many factors to make it a success.The focus on a short wheelbase two door car brings balance to allow functional handling advantages. The lighter body helps to improve performance while the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine gives sufficient power based on the vehicle's weight providing a balance of stress. The two door set up allows the user to perceive the vehicle as being very sporty. The attraction and grouping of the individual parts makes up the complete design of the vehicle. As a result of following these syntactical guidelines, BMW was able to make the 2002 a very marketable vehicle in the 1970's and until this day has continued to be a legacy.

The Ford Capri MKI was product from the late 1960's to the mid 1970's. In April 1970, Ford began selling the Capri outside Europe, in the North-American, South African and Australian markets. A great coupe well known by it's great physical attributes but the problem for the first several years was that these versions were all underpowered with the Kent 1.6 L 4 cylinder engine. The power to weight ratio was imbalanced and due to the low power to weight ratio caused a high level of stress on the engine. This was finally replaced by the Pinto straight 4- 2.0L engine in 1971. The increase in engine displacement allowed the increase in power to weight ratio which in tern helped to retain the Ford Capri MKI's legacy.

Visual Thinking Research

In choosing the shortest of the colored rope in the 2 top images, Leia and I took the approach to visually measure how many full circles each colored rope would make. We both did choose the incorrect answer.

In choosing the correct path to reach each of the 20 points, Leia and I each tried multiple times until completing the path correctly. I was able to complete the task within 5 tries making a mental note to only go through each path and point once.

Visual Perception 1: Top-Down Visual Processing

Meaning 2: Interactions Between the 3 Levels

Representational

At first glance, individuals would see this as a regular boxing glove. But as one further examined this picture, they would realize that this was a USB Flash Drive Unit. This is a abstract design of a boxing glove form used for expressive and functional purposes.


Abstract

Abstracting a boxing glove form provides  a unique design for a USB flash drive unit. It's a concept based abstraction that is a 3 dimensional representation of the product.


Symbolic

Ringside is well known in the boxing and martial arts world as providing a product line of quality and performance boxing equipment. Their trademark symbol distinguishes themselves from their competitors at the same time provides website and telephone contact information as part of their logotype design. Without the logotype design, consumers would be unaware of the manufacturer of this abstract boxing glove USB flash drive and assume that this was just a regular boxing glove of unknown quality.

Meaning 1 Application

Representational

This image is a Representational level of visual information in a form of bee. The Chrysler Corporation auto maker has used a bee form for expressive and functional purposes for the Super Bee concept sports car. We as the viewer recognized that this is a bee based on our environment and experience. The color scheme and body lines help to distiguish the bee like features.

Symbolic

The Thumbs Up symbol has different meanings throughout the world both being a positive or negative gesture depending on the context. In American Society though, the symbol denotes a positive hand gesture that things are ok, a positive opinion, good, approved, or ready to go. The thumbs up hand gesture is most notably associated with movie reviews, where movie critics Siskel and Ebert made popular on their televised review show. In this context, the thumb up meaning is a positive opinion of a film; the thumb down meaning is a negative one. The trademarked phrase “two thumbs up”, originally meant a positive review from both reviewers. It has come to be used as an indication of very high quality or unanimity of praise in movie review and American Society.