I found that by using the three random images and asking people to create a story from them, they tended to be more inventive as they had no restrictions. As i hadn't picked the photos to be used they were free to think as they wished and interpret the photos as outrageously as they wanted.
I couldn't really establish a strong link between the stories and thought by adding a fourth photo of my choice i could gain a sort of control.
I decided to bring in the idea of a food chain- birds eat mice. I therefore chose a net as my last photo hoping that people would catch onto the idea of hunting, or being trapped.
Interestingly the first of the feedback i received wasn't a story. Stewart told me of the feelings the images evoked and it appeared he found the images, as a whole, unsettling.
By simply adding one image of my choice, people began to think deeper into the meanings of the photos as opposed to simply seeing them as images. Without using words, by carefully selecting what we show the viewer, we can manipulate them in a way into thinking what we want them to think.
Once i put the images into an open facebook chat, people began to feed off each others thoughs and the idea of a story seemed to be abandoned. It seemed an example had been set on what people thought was to be achieved from the task.
I found it interesting how one images effectively changed the way everyone interpreted the photos. All their thoughts seemed to branch from the idea of restriction, everyone seemed to feel the images as a whole were unsettling, but when by themselves they are just images.
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Tuesday 16 February 2010
The 4th Picture!
So far all the stories have been rather random, there hasn't really been a strong link, possibly because i was using photos picked at random. I asked people simply to interpret the photos as they wished, to either write a story or whatever feeling or thoughts come to mind when they are shown the photos. I found the majority of my responses were made up stories, some rather elaborate ones...I feel by using random photos, there is no restraints or constrictions, the people i asked weren't encouraged to think a certain thing when analyzing the photos and therefore became quite inventive themselves.
I thought I could now incorporate the idea of a food chain and the pigeon to be seen as a predator. Some of the stories hinted towards this theme and although the image is of a computer mouse, the object itself, and the context (placed next to a pigeon) conjures images of the animal.
Stewart Agnew
Age:20
The top 1st pic, makes me feel quite trapped, almost lost, I think this is cos I have a fear of being locked in a tube station or something, but the picture makes me feel alone and uncomfortable. The second pic makes me think of technology, and connected to the first pic, how we would be lost without the dependency on technology, like going without electricity for a day, its amazing how we suddenly can't cope. We would have to return to old ways, like catching birds! Pretty much live like pigeons depending on only our selves to survive, having to make nets and stuff to catch animals.
Daniel McCance
Age:19
A person was online and noticed that there was some sort of event on which he needed to travel to in order to catch a pigeon. It was a pigeon catching competition which you had to apply for online.
I then showed the pictures so some of my friends on facebook to try and get some more feedback. By opening the chat i think people began to feed on each others ideas and a theme of constriction seemed to become established...
Khlaid Alsayed February 16 at 5:31pm Reply
Controlled freedom?
Like the bird, the mouse and train are free to be moved around, but confined and limited by their own net - the mouse to its monitor and train to its rails.
You are free to be free within the limitations provided by the state!
Alexander Cooper February 16 at 6:52pm Reply
Yeah i think a theme that ties them all together is restriction, but pigeons are still free to fly around, although they're still dependent on humanity for food
Khlaid Alsayed February 16 at 6:57pm Reply
pigeons aren't free. Council put spikes on lampposts to stop them sitting on them, feeding them is restricted or permitted in specified locations. Pigeons are used to carry messages or to race for money.
Pigeons are very controlled.
Hannah Spearing February 16 at 11:44pm Reply
i think they all say alot about impact, maybe spacial impact or impact on the public as a whole. the long dizzying daunting escalater seems huge now but with hundreds of people crammed on it it looks strangely smaller. the impact of technology is huge but it comes from very small pieces of wires and what not. one pigeon versus those masses of pigeons you see in town. but actually i've not got much to say about the net. ach well, first impression doll, these guys seem to know what they're talking about alot more. but just a wee thought on that net, it looks like an old tennis racket frame. x
Chris Donald February 17 at 10:26am Reply
first photo i would say reminds me of like a stairway to someones destiny or something, like their goal is to get to the top, the mouse reminds me of how we can take for granted technology, the pigeon just makes me remember always nearly getting shat on every time I walk past caird square haha, and then net could represent a form of entrapment or being lead into a false sense of security
I thought I could now incorporate the idea of a food chain and the pigeon to be seen as a predator. Some of the stories hinted towards this theme and although the image is of a computer mouse, the object itself, and the context (placed next to a pigeon) conjures images of the animal.
Stewart Agnew
Age:20
The top 1st pic, makes me feel quite trapped, almost lost, I think this is cos I have a fear of being locked in a tube station or something, but the picture makes me feel alone and uncomfortable. The second pic makes me think of technology, and connected to the first pic, how we would be lost without the dependency on technology, like going without electricity for a day, its amazing how we suddenly can't cope. We would have to return to old ways, like catching birds! Pretty much live like pigeons depending on only our selves to survive, having to make nets and stuff to catch animals.
Daniel McCance
Age:19
A person was online and noticed that there was some sort of event on which he needed to travel to in order to catch a pigeon. It was a pigeon catching competition which you had to apply for online.
I then showed the pictures so some of my friends on facebook to try and get some more feedback. By opening the chat i think people began to feed on each others ideas and a theme of constriction seemed to become established...
Khlaid Alsayed February 16 at 5:31pm Reply
Controlled freedom?
Like the bird, the mouse and train are free to be moved around, but confined and limited by their own net - the mouse to its monitor and train to its rails.
You are free to be free within the limitations provided by the state!
Alexander Cooper February 16 at 6:52pm Reply
Yeah i think a theme that ties them all together is restriction, but pigeons are still free to fly around, although they're still dependent on humanity for food
Khlaid Alsayed February 16 at 6:57pm Reply
pigeons aren't free. Council put spikes on lampposts to stop them sitting on them, feeding them is restricted or permitted in specified locations. Pigeons are used to carry messages or to race for money.
Pigeons are very controlled.
Hannah Spearing February 16 at 11:44pm Reply
i think they all say alot about impact, maybe spacial impact or impact on the public as a whole. the long dizzying daunting escalater seems huge now but with hundreds of people crammed on it it looks strangely smaller. the impact of technology is huge but it comes from very small pieces of wires and what not. one pigeon versus those masses of pigeons you see in town. but actually i've not got much to say about the net. ach well, first impression doll, these guys seem to know what they're talking about alot more. but just a wee thought on that net, it looks like an old tennis racket frame. x
Chris Donald February 17 at 10:26am Reply
first photo i would say reminds me of like a stairway to someones destiny or something, like their goal is to get to the top, the mouse reminds me of how we can take for granted technology, the pigeon just makes me remember always nearly getting shat on every time I walk past caird square haha, and then net could represent a form of entrapment or being lead into a false sense of security
Photo Stories
These are the three random photos we selected to hand out to people and the stories they came up with...
Kyle Donnachie
Age:22
A pigeon stole a mouse from PC World (because pigeons can't buy things), it was flying over the subway and dropped it down the stairs when it realised it wasn't a real mouse.
Fiona McMichael
Age: 20
- I took the subway to go buy a mouse for my computer and on the way i accidentally trod on a pigeon.
Matthew Flemming
Age:20
A mouse eats a pigeon because it's too small to get up the stairs to Subway (The sandwich shop).
To small to get up the stairs? How could the mouse ever eat the pigeon?
Well he's really hungry :)
But pigeons can fly!
Yeah, but this mouse is sneaky...he's called Tiptoes...ironically though, he's not tall enough to get up the stairs to subway.
How does Tiptoes get the pigeon then if he's on the stairs?
Well, you see! He was actually at the bottom of the Subway stairs, contemplating on whether to get the Texas Fried Chicken Panini.
Anne Flemming
Age:46
Pigeon - Trafalgar Square, feels sorry for them because you see a few with crippled feet.
Mouse - Surfing the net
Subway - Thinks of some exciting city such as, London, New York, Paris...people commuting to work.
Dorothy Donnachie
Age: 50
One day last spring whilst I was sitting by my open window I watched in mounting horror as a large overfed pigeon with a distinctly menacing look in its beady eye flew straight into my room, took a few hectic circles around the furniture before finally landing, or to be more accurate positively pouncing upon the computer mouse on the table by the door. At this point I should probably make it clear that I am not a bird lover and pigeons I dislike especially. I wanted the beast out of my room and fast. I didn't want to touch it and I couldn't find any neighbours at home that afternoon to assist so I found a large shopping back, threw it over pigeon and mouse before firmly fastening it at the top.
I raced down the stairs and out the front door of my flat almost running straight into my best friend who had been on her way to visit me. She was breathless and excited and in a jumble of words and shrieks told me that an episode of "Dr Who" was being filmed at that very moment in my local underground station just around the corner. Completely forgetting the purpose of leaving my flat and the undesirable content of my shopping bag I raced at full pelt in the direction of a certain David Tennant. We arrived at the station and ignoring the sign informing us regretfully that the station was closed and apologising for the inconvenience this was causing us we hurried towards the escalator. It was not functioning but we were not to be deterred so easily. We began our descent but after only a few steps I became aware of a nasty scrabbling noise in my bag. I looked down and saw with horror a beak and then a head emerging from it. I shrieked and then shrieked again when I saw that the beast was making off with my mouse.
It was all a bit confusing after that. There was a lot of wing flapping, and then unaccountably the escalator coughed into life. The unexpected movement pitched my friend and I headlong but fortunately we got tangled up with one another and didn't fall too far. Two large men then appeared and insisted on escorting us back out of the station. Just as we reached the exit I heard those dreaded wings again quite close above me and then felt a sharp pain as an object struck my head before bouncing on to the ground. My computer mouse. I felt a warm trickle down my forehead. I put a finger to my head expecting blood but no such luck. To put the seal on my day that wicked creature had just defecated on my head. Some luck and I never did see David Tennant!
Camilla Plekker
Age:20
The subway reminds me of being in france, where i saw loads of really ugly mice on the tracks, which reminded me of my mouse called Mozeltof which i had in South Africa. I also remember seeing a dead mouse carcass hanging in a tree which reminded me of the bird called a Shrike, who hangs its prey until it dies, (which is where the pigeon comes in)...Couldn't think of anything about pigeons except that i don't like them very much.
Kyle Donnachie
Age:22
A pigeon stole a mouse from PC World (because pigeons can't buy things), it was flying over the subway and dropped it down the stairs when it realised it wasn't a real mouse.
Fiona McMichael
Age: 20
- I took the subway to go buy a mouse for my computer and on the way i accidentally trod on a pigeon.
Matthew Flemming
Age:20
A mouse eats a pigeon because it's too small to get up the stairs to Subway (The sandwich shop).
To small to get up the stairs? How could the mouse ever eat the pigeon?
Well he's really hungry :)
But pigeons can fly!
Yeah, but this mouse is sneaky...he's called Tiptoes...ironically though, he's not tall enough to get up the stairs to subway.
How does Tiptoes get the pigeon then if he's on the stairs?
Well, you see! He was actually at the bottom of the Subway stairs, contemplating on whether to get the Texas Fried Chicken Panini.
Anne Flemming
Age:46
Pigeon - Trafalgar Square, feels sorry for them because you see a few with crippled feet.
Mouse - Surfing the net
Subway - Thinks of some exciting city such as, London, New York, Paris...people commuting to work.
Dorothy Donnachie
Age: 50
One day last spring whilst I was sitting by my open window I watched in mounting horror as a large overfed pigeon with a distinctly menacing look in its beady eye flew straight into my room, took a few hectic circles around the furniture before finally landing, or to be more accurate positively pouncing upon the computer mouse on the table by the door. At this point I should probably make it clear that I am not a bird lover and pigeons I dislike especially. I wanted the beast out of my room and fast. I didn't want to touch it and I couldn't find any neighbours at home that afternoon to assist so I found a large shopping back, threw it over pigeon and mouse before firmly fastening it at the top.
I raced down the stairs and out the front door of my flat almost running straight into my best friend who had been on her way to visit me. She was breathless and excited and in a jumble of words and shrieks told me that an episode of "Dr Who" was being filmed at that very moment in my local underground station just around the corner. Completely forgetting the purpose of leaving my flat and the undesirable content of my shopping bag I raced at full pelt in the direction of a certain David Tennant. We arrived at the station and ignoring the sign informing us regretfully that the station was closed and apologising for the inconvenience this was causing us we hurried towards the escalator. It was not functioning but we were not to be deterred so easily. We began our descent but after only a few steps I became aware of a nasty scrabbling noise in my bag. I looked down and saw with horror a beak and then a head emerging from it. I shrieked and then shrieked again when I saw that the beast was making off with my mouse.
It was all a bit confusing after that. There was a lot of wing flapping, and then unaccountably the escalator coughed into life. The unexpected movement pitched my friend and I headlong but fortunately we got tangled up with one another and didn't fall too far. Two large men then appeared and insisted on escorting us back out of the station. Just as we reached the exit I heard those dreaded wings again quite close above me and then felt a sharp pain as an object struck my head before bouncing on to the ground. My computer mouse. I felt a warm trickle down my forehead. I put a finger to my head expecting blood but no such luck. To put the seal on my day that wicked creature had just defecated on my head. Some luck and I never did see David Tennant!
Camilla Plekker
Age:20
The subway reminds me of being in france, where i saw loads of really ugly mice on the tracks, which reminded me of my mouse called Mozeltof which i had in South Africa. I also remember seeing a dead mouse carcass hanging in a tree which reminded me of the bird called a Shrike, who hangs its prey until it dies, (which is where the pigeon comes in)...Couldn't think of anything about pigeons except that i don't like them very much.
The Culture of Design
Chapter 4- "The Consumption of Design" seems to reinforce a lot of Barthes ideas of design. It begins by discussing how designers have to consider their environment, social issues and culture. Even this been researched it is impossible for designers to create something which will be appriciated by everyone. It is to be understood that society have a constant compulsion to establish a strong identity of self.
still to type up...
still to type up...
Monday 15 February 2010
Rhetoric of the Image- Roland Barthes
In this essay Barthes seems to be investigating the idea of linguistics and coding in advertisements. He proposes the idea that cultural ideals and environments act as a catalyst to a successful advert.
Barthes often talks about the "semiotic theory"- the study of signs and symbols. He also discusses "epistemology"- a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin of human knowledge, thus exemplifying his thoughts that an advertisement cannot be directed at a broad audience, to achieve a successful campaign or advertisement it has to be taken into account where a person is from, their age and their background.
He asks us of the connection between words and images, should one be more prominent than the other? Or if we use words does that detract from the image?
He discusses the idea that people will look at the same image, yet their interpretation of it can be polar opposites depending on their background. There can appear many connotations from the same image, leading is into his discussion of polysemy.
Barthes essay addresses the idea of design conditioning, the audience you are creating for and the brief. He suggests that you'll never be able to satisfy everyone with a single design as people, no matter how similar, will always develop their own individual interpretation of the image. Barthes then goes on to consider the ways in which linguistics can help guide the viewer, or even manipulate them into seeing the image in a certain way. For instance his example of the fruit and veg at the bottom of a ladder with the quote "as if they were" picked in your own back garden. Although this isn't directly lying to the viewer, by putting the vegetables in a natural, healthy environment with the statement "as if they were", the produce has been glorified and made out to be something a lot healthier and organic than it actually is.
This is where Barthes idea of using language along side and image is demonstrated. Although the main strengths of the advertisement may lie in the image, by using words to glorify the item the viewer can be manipulated into believing that they would benefit from buying it.
How does this essay affect me as a textile designer? Barthes seems to be adressing all areas of design in his essay. Although the content may be different the context and structure seems to be similar though all aspects of design. As Barthes explains a design has to be well considered as with the viewer. Background, age, culture and upbringing are all aspects which need to be explored in order to create a successful design.
Barthes often talks about the "semiotic theory"- the study of signs and symbols. He also discusses "epistemology"- a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin of human knowledge, thus exemplifying his thoughts that an advertisement cannot be directed at a broad audience, to achieve a successful campaign or advertisement it has to be taken into account where a person is from, their age and their background.
He asks us of the connection between words and images, should one be more prominent than the other? Or if we use words does that detract from the image?
He discusses the idea that people will look at the same image, yet their interpretation of it can be polar opposites depending on their background. There can appear many connotations from the same image, leading is into his discussion of polysemy.
Barthes essay addresses the idea of design conditioning, the audience you are creating for and the brief. He suggests that you'll never be able to satisfy everyone with a single design as people, no matter how similar, will always develop their own individual interpretation of the image. Barthes then goes on to consider the ways in which linguistics can help guide the viewer, or even manipulate them into seeing the image in a certain way. For instance his example of the fruit and veg at the bottom of a ladder with the quote "as if they were" picked in your own back garden. Although this isn't directly lying to the viewer, by putting the vegetables in a natural, healthy environment with the statement "as if they were", the produce has been glorified and made out to be something a lot healthier and organic than it actually is.
This is where Barthes idea of using language along side and image is demonstrated. Although the main strengths of the advertisement may lie in the image, by using words to glorify the item the viewer can be manipulated into believing that they would benefit from buying it.
How does this essay affect me as a textile designer? Barthes seems to be adressing all areas of design in his essay. Although the content may be different the context and structure seems to be similar though all aspects of design. As Barthes explains a design has to be well considered as with the viewer. Background, age, culture and upbringing are all aspects which need to be explored in order to create a successful design.
Sunday 14 February 2010
Photo Analysis
Our first assignment of this semester was to gather images of ourselves growing up and swap them with someone in the class who we didn't know well, or not at all.
The task at first seemed quite daunting as we were forced to analyse each other on their surrounding, family and style. Through doing this we were expected to establish a general idea of the way they were brought up and discover aspects of that person that wouldn't necessarily be brought up in conversation.
I did my photo swap with Stephen in Graphics. I found analysing the photos a bit awkward at first as i didn't want to appear be judging or making inaccurate assumptions about his life. Once i finally got into it i managed to let my guard down a little and felt i achieved some sort of understanding of his likes and influences when growing up.
This is the feedback i wrote for him...
One of the photos features what could be your gran and two sisters. On looking at the decor of the house, for example the fire place and arm chair, it seems that you are maybe visiting your gran and that you have quite a close family.
Another of the pictures shows a baby, this could be that you have a much younger sibling or relative.
Two of your photos depict what looks like you and your friends at different stages of your childhood. Sport seems to be quite a strong link between the photos telling me that you were quite active as a child. You and your friends are gathered on a playing field wearing football shirts, possibly part of a team?
It seems as though you had quite a close group of friends growing up and that you maybe influenced each other with hobbies and the way you dressed. By choosing photos of you and your friends i get the impression that you value friendships and enjoy being around other people.
Only one of the pictures seems to have been taken in your home, judging by the wrapping paper this could have been on your birthday. Its quite hard to tell what sort of home you grew up in but the overall impression I get is that you weren't particularly materialistic and that you maybe enjoyed more to be with your friends and take part in sports.
...
After the swap i got some feedback from Stephen, it seemed to be fairly on the mark in that he's influenced by his friends and seems to have quite a big family although he said he wasn't so much interested in sports anymore.
After reading back my analysis from him it was quite interesting to see the points Stephen picked up on about me. He noticed that i was quite outdoorsy growing up and a bit of a tomboy. Also that i have a very close family and extended family who i spend a lot of time with growing up. From my most recent photo taken on my 17Th birthday Stephen noticed that I'd become a bit more girly and preferred standing out in bright colours.
All in all its been an experience, its not often these sort of questions or assumptions jump into casual conversation so to be able to analyse someones childhood gives us an insight to the different sort of backgrounds people come from and what helps them develop into the person they are now.
The task at first seemed quite daunting as we were forced to analyse each other on their surrounding, family and style. Through doing this we were expected to establish a general idea of the way they were brought up and discover aspects of that person that wouldn't necessarily be brought up in conversation.
I did my photo swap with Stephen in Graphics. I found analysing the photos a bit awkward at first as i didn't want to appear be judging or making inaccurate assumptions about his life. Once i finally got into it i managed to let my guard down a little and felt i achieved some sort of understanding of his likes and influences when growing up.
This is the feedback i wrote for him...
One of the photos features what could be your gran and two sisters. On looking at the decor of the house, for example the fire place and arm chair, it seems that you are maybe visiting your gran and that you have quite a close family.
Another of the pictures shows a baby, this could be that you have a much younger sibling or relative.
Two of your photos depict what looks like you and your friends at different stages of your childhood. Sport seems to be quite a strong link between the photos telling me that you were quite active as a child. You and your friends are gathered on a playing field wearing football shirts, possibly part of a team?
It seems as though you had quite a close group of friends growing up and that you maybe influenced each other with hobbies and the way you dressed. By choosing photos of you and your friends i get the impression that you value friendships and enjoy being around other people.
Only one of the pictures seems to have been taken in your home, judging by the wrapping paper this could have been on your birthday. Its quite hard to tell what sort of home you grew up in but the overall impression I get is that you weren't particularly materialistic and that you maybe enjoyed more to be with your friends and take part in sports.
...
After the swap i got some feedback from Stephen, it seemed to be fairly on the mark in that he's influenced by his friends and seems to have quite a big family although he said he wasn't so much interested in sports anymore.
After reading back my analysis from him it was quite interesting to see the points Stephen picked up on about me. He noticed that i was quite outdoorsy growing up and a bit of a tomboy. Also that i have a very close family and extended family who i spend a lot of time with growing up. From my most recent photo taken on my 17Th birthday Stephen noticed that I'd become a bit more girly and preferred standing out in bright colours.
All in all its been an experience, its not often these sort of questions or assumptions jump into casual conversation so to be able to analyse someones childhood gives us an insight to the different sort of backgrounds people come from and what helps them develop into the person they are now.
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