Graphic Design Analysis

Get a better understanding of the basics of graphic design by studying the elements and principles of graphic design that govern effective design and page layout. Graphic design is the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication. Designers achieve their goals by utilizing the elements and principles of graphic design.

By following each of two learning paths on these concepts of graphic design basics and their application in modern desktop publishing, those with no formal graphic design training can improve their page layout and text compositions.

1.1 Building Blocks of Design
The first class describes the 5 elements of design: lines, shapes, mass, texture, and color. Also describes other elements sometimes included as basic building blocks.
1.2 An Introduction to the Elements of Design

1.2 Lines
Everyone knows what a line is, right? Look more closely at the great variety of lines, straight, curved, thick, thin, solid, and not-solid.
1.2 Lines

1.3 Shapes
Squares (and rectangles), triangles, and circles are the three basic shapes. Examine their role in design including the psychology of shapes in logo design. Class also touches on freeform shapes.
1.3 Shapes

1.4 Mass
How big is it? Take a look at mass or visual weight of graphic and text elements. This class includes a large section on size and measurements for type and paper and images.
1.4 Mass

1.5 Texture
In addition to the actual texture of the paper we print on, look at the textures we create through techniques such as embossing and the visual texture created with certain graphics techniques.
1.5 Texture

1.6 Color
What is the meaning of red? Which colors go well together? Color symbolism and association is the primary focus of this class. It also touches briefly on the mechanics of color reproduction on the Web and in print.
1.6 Color

2.1 The Big Picture
Different instructors or designers have their own idea about the basic principles of design but most are encompassed in the 6 principles of balance, proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast, and white space. Learn the definitions of each principle.
2.1 An Introduction to the Principles of Design

2.2 Balance
Symetrical, radial, formal, and informal ways of arranging elements on a page to achieve visual balance is the focus of this class. Also covers the 'rule of thirds' and other structural elements.
2.2 Balance

2.3 Proximity/Unity
Learn how to arrange elements on the page through proximity -- keeping like items together and creating unity by how close or far apart elements are from each other.
Lessons not yet online [See these self-study resources on Proximity]

2.4 Alignment
While centered text has its place it is often the mark of a novice designer. Learn how to align text and graphics to create more interesting, dynamic, or appropriate layouts.
Lessons not yet online [See these self-study resources on Alignment]

2.5 Repetition/Consistency
Get an understanding of the importance of consistency for the reader and ways to create a consistent and balanced look through different types of repetition.
Lessons not yet online [See these self-study resources on Consistency]

2.6 Contrast
Big vs. small, black vs. white. These are some ways to create contrast and visual interest. Learn a variety of ways to use contrast.
Lessons not yet online [See these self-study resources on Contrast]

2.7 White Space
The art of nothing is another description for this principle. View examples of good and bad use of white space and how to avoid trapped white space.
Lessons not yet online [See these self-study resources on White Space]

Source : About.com

To make us easy to understand about the graphic design itself, we already make a review about two website. We make a comparison between TransTV and RCTI websites.

The slide presentation of the comparison can be downloaded here

For full document can be downloaded here

Wall-E, the Future Human-Computer Interaction

WALL-E, I know this movie is already outdated and I believe that you have watched this movie and still remember the whole plot of the story.

If so, then maybe you are questioning why I’m wasting my time writing a review of the movie that all the people already know. Then, hold on, I won’t talking about the story of the movie itself, but I want to take you to another point of view from this movie, have you ever think an answer for this question, “is WALL-E movie will become a reality?” let’s try to figure out the answer of this question through this blog!! Happy reading, cheers.

First, let’s flash back for the main story of this movie. The movie tells us that in the future this planet earth will be so dirty, trash everywhere and anywhere because human doesn’t care anymore. Knowing this they suddenly realize that earth is not feasible anymore for human to live. Thanks to sophisticated technology that human made, they build a spaceship which can accommodate entire people in the world. Human migrating from earth to this spaceship and planning to live in the outer space and will come back to earth when the planet clean again. They abandoned the earth and left a cleaning robot to clean every pieces of trash in this planet. However the human seems forgot to come back to earth and live in the spaceship for centuries to the extent that their offspring didn’t know that planet earth exist.

Now, let’s ignored the main character WALL-E, let’s see what the human doing while in the spaceship. Yes, they are sitting in the mobile chair, and facing the big computer screen for all of their life, yes, FOR ALL OF THEIR LIFE. The human even never use their feet anymore to walk, because of that mobile chair, we even can see in several part of this movie when some people ejected from their chair, they just rolling in the floor and can’t even sit down, THEY EVEN CAN’T LIFT THEIR BODY. If you understand what I’m saying then you will realize that it will be horrible, people never use their body anymore, they even forgot how to use it, and because of lack of movement they suffer from obesity, THEY ALL FAT!!

Now, if we see in reality, is our technology able to make the mobile chair like that? Yes, our technology possible to make things like that. Then there will be another question, “is our life will be like that?” this is the hard question to answer, some say yes, and some say no. My information system lecturer have say this words before, “the technology will continue to grow and we can’t stop it, but our nature will never change, the needs to eat by our hand, the needs to walk by our feet, the needs to sports, to see through our own eyes”, If we see that statement then the possibility of we undergo the WALL-E live will be impossible.

Regardless of possible or impossible to live the WALL-E life, the only thing we should do is we always have to aware that computer is made to help our needs, not to enslave us to use it that we can die if we can’t reach a computer. By realize something like this then we will use the computer wisely, not too much, but enough to help us solving our problem, then we can see a bright future with technology as our friend.