See like a caveman

Resources for learning about visual communication

[seelikeacaveman]

Picturing a Voice: Margaret Watts Hughes and the Eidophone

Of the various forms the nascent art of sound recording took in the late nineteenth century perhaps none was so aesthetically alluring as that invented by Margaret Watts Hughes. Rob Mullender-Ross explores the significance of the Welsh singer’s ingenious set of images, which until recently were thought to be lost.

Her original article, from The Century magazine, 1891, with B&W illustrations:

https://archive.org/details/centuryillustrat42newyuoft/page/36/mode/2up

“Arranged in order of increasing complexity, the figures display a clear hierarchy of forms, from the simple "primitive" and geometrical, to more complex figures that look more like floral shapes. Here, we can detect the beginnings of Watts Hughes' passion for the project; what began as a technique for measuring an aspect of vocal prowess becomes an exploration of visual forms created through the resonant interaction of voice, instrument, and materials.“

[seelikeacaveman]

The History of the Color Red: From Ancient Paintings to Louboutin Shoes

Learn about the intriguing history of the color red, from vermilion and carmine to Matisse's favorite cadmium red.

“Red is not only one of the primary colors, it's also one of the first colors used by artists—dating back to prehistory. Ranging from orange tinges to deep wine hues, throughout history the color red has held special significance for cultures around.” Perhaps because the eye has more receptors for red than other hues? Also because has evolved over longer period

See also: Red: The History of a Color Hardcover by Michel Pastoureau 

[seelikeacaveman]

The Law of Similarity - Gestalt Principles (1)

Gestalt is a German word that carries a lot of importance, especially for us as designers. Its principles can show just how much this little word encompasses!

The central principle to the Gestalt theory was neatly summarized by the Gestalt psychologist Kurt Koffka: "The whole is other than the sum of the parts."

Similarity: The human eye [brain, actually -AW] tends to build a relationship between similar elements within a design.

[seelikeacaveman]

An Explanation for the Role of the Amygdala in Aesthetic Judgments

It has been proposed that the top-down guidance of feature-based attention is the basis for the involvement of the amygdala in various tasks requiring emotional decision-making (Jacobs et al., 2012a). Aesthetic judgments are correlated with particular visual features and can be considered emotional in nature (Jacobs et al., 2016). Moreover, we have previously shown that various aesthetic judgments result in observers preferentially attending to different visual features (Jacobs et al., 2010). Here, we argue that—together—this explains why the amygdalae become active during aesthetic judgments of visual materials. We discuss potential implications and predictions of this theory that can be tested experimentally.

Research paper, not easy reading.

“To summarize, there are strong indications that the degree to which certain relevant features are present in an image affects the likelihood that observers will rate it as being beautiful.“

[seelikeacaveman]

Science Explains The Enduring Appeal Of Bland, Symmetrical Layouts

The New Yorker might be onto something.

“People are more attracted to symmetrical faces; infants and non-human animals prefer symmetry, too, which suggests that the concept has evolutionary roots. One reason we respond so well to symmetry could be because it simplifies cognitive processing.”

[seelikeacaveman]

12 Hidden Tricks Advertisers Use to Sell You Stuff

In his new book Hidden Persuasion, Andrews, with social psychologists Matthijs van Leeuwen and Rick Baaren, explores 33 of the sneakiest tactics advertisers deploy while hawking their products. These hidden persuasions, as Andrews calls them, are a driving force behind advertising world’s efficiency, and they’re way more common than you might think.

"People think that their decisions and choices are made consciously and rational, " explains Andrews. "Fact is, that most of our decisions in daily life are made on an unconscious level, which means we are quite vulnerable to persuasion attempts which effect our unconsciousness."

[seelikeacaveman]

If you see graphic design as a process of arranging shapes on a canvas, then you’re only seeing half of what you work with. The negative space of the canvas is just as important as the positive elements that we place on the canvas.

One of Gestalt principles: figure-ground.

“Depending on... how you balance figure and ground, you direct the audience to look at different parts of the design and interpret what they see in different contexts.”

[seelikeacaveman]

Opinion | Why We Love Beautiful Things

If designers understood more about the mathematics of attraction, the mechanics of affection, all design could both look good and be good for you.

Biological basis of what humans consider beautiful.

“Certain patterns also have universal appeal. Natural fractals — irregular, self-similar geometry — occur virtually everywhere in nature: in coastlines and riverways, in snowflakes and leaf veins, even in our own lungs. In recent years, physicists have found that people invariably prefer a certain mathematical density of fractals — not too thick, not too sparse. The theory is that this particular pattern echoes the shapes of trees, specifically the acacia, on the African savanna, the place stored in our genetic memory from the cradle of the human race. “

------

“our eyes can scan an image fastest when its shape is a golden rectangle. For instance, it’s the ideal layout of a paragraph of text, the one most conducive to reading and retention. This simple shape speeds up our ability to perceive the world, and without realizing it, we employ it wherever we can.“

[seelikeacaveman]

There you are, in the first diaper you were put into, and look at the world. First, you only see black and white, and the world looks rather bleak. But, all of

Good overview - links in article give more in-depth info

[seelikeacaveman]

50 research-based facts about how people react to color.

[seelikeacaveman]

TED talk + related info on how all humans have a certain "ideal" landscape, based on ancient memories of the landscape where humans first evolved.

[seelikeacaveman]

Article describing experiment asking consumers which company was most “ethical” or “environmentally conscious.” Blue & green won. The most "ethical" colors for your logo. Yep, it makes a difference. http://www.fastcodesign.com/3054339/evidence/how-a-logos-color-shapes-consumers-opinion-of-a-brand?partner=rss&utm_medium=email&utm_source=flipboard

[seelikeacaveman]

Lots of info on camouflage used mostly in military applications. Seems to have been more popular for ships in WWI than WWII

[seelikeacaveman]

Another good intro to color theory, with web links to color palette sites, etc.

[seelikeacaveman]

Gestalt Principles...

Explanation + examples of Gestalt principles. Not the best, but some useful info.

[seelikeacaveman]

Communication, Mood and Meaning: Lines in Web Design

Lines, lines, lines. Lines are everywhere in design, they are used to divide space, direct the user's eye, create flow, create emphasis and organize all design elements into form. Generally, we don't think about lines that much, but we make use of them quite often to visually communicate our objective to the user.

Very pragmatic look at small selection of lines and how they can be used specifically in web design.

[seelikeacaveman]

Mood Lines: Setting the Tone of Your Design

Comprehensive collection of various types of lines and the mood they create/reflect.

Useful clickable list that shows 1-2 examples of lines in use, as above (”unstable”). Originally documented in Landscape Architecture, by John Ormsbee Simonds, who put together a diagram of 48 Mood Lines.