Visual Literacy:Final Project

Melissa Gallagher

Introduction

The role of visuals in instructional design is to support communication for learning.

Understanding design principles, multimedia, and how individuals access, assess, and interpret visuals is critical for this communication.

Using what was learned in our Visual Literacy course, I created a rubric to systematically evaluate visuals for the criteria written on the next slide.

Each analysis corresponding to the image before attempts to discuss components of this rubric in evaluating the chosen visual.

My Rubric for Visual AnalysisVisual uses appropriate..

Alignment/Proximity

Amount of Content

Media type(s) and interactivity

Repetition (Thematic/Messaging)

Repetition (Visual)

Consideration of audience

Readability: Use of contrast/typeface

Mood/Tone: Color use

Mood/Tone: Imagery, symbol, media

1) Photograph

1a) Photograph Analysis

This photograph was found within a blog post about how parents might encourage healthy eating habits.

The image is well matched to the message of the article and employs sound elements of visual design.

The content of the article focuses on role modeling healthy eating behaviors. The image allows for visual

repetition of the written content as the child intently watches the mother eat. It is assumed the child might next mimic her

mother, thus learning the act of healthy eating.

There is also repetition in the image itself as we see two individuals holding the same fruit almost in the

same position. Mother and child are both wearing white shirts. Hair is pulled away from mothers face, the two human

images are symmetrically placed and near mirror images of one another.

As a result of editing, the final image forces the viewer to focus entirely on the figure of the image. The

neutral-colored , limited field creates contrast that supports focus the image itself. This attention to figure enlivens a

scene that the reader, likely a mother or parent, can relate to instantly. Through this representation, you are able to notice

the mother, with eyes on her child and the child, with eyes on their mother. We clearly see the details of expression on the

mother and child. The image is telling the story of how the child is learning to eat the fruit. The use of realistic

photograph media over other visual representations is best matched to support the message of the blog post and is

extremely accessible to the viewer. (Photo Source: http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com/2012/12/encourage-healthy-

eating-habits-in-kids.html)

2) Sign

2a) Sign Analysis

This sign is meant for a laboratory where safety measures are enforced. Food and beverage may

become contaminated, or cause contamination. Cell phones can cause dangerous distractions from lab bench work.

The first thing that one notices is the contrast between the red and gray scale coloring on the sign.

Red culturally means “stop” in America. This gives emphasis that this sign is communicating what not to do and

quickly pinpoints on the target behavior with words and images.

An effective detail of the images used to reinforce the words written above is the break in the red line

in the “no symbol.” This allows the viewer to clearly see the image of a a burger, to mean “food”, beverage, and cell

phone. The icons are placed in order of the words above it which allows for repetition of the message.

If you do not have time or choose not to read the words, this details makes quick interpretation of the

message and instruction the sign gives possible nearly instantly.

3) Diagram

3a) Diagram Analysis

This diagram shows insertion sites for nutrition support provided by dietitians. It likely comes from a textbook. The

visual shows a cross-sectional body and points to where lines may be inserted for nutrition through the oral canal or

intravenously.

Clean typeface and proximity of descriptive words with the location of the tube insertion and emptying sites

support understanding. Differentiation between intravenous (IV) lines (TPN and PPN) and remaining alimentary lines along

the digestive track is supported through the image of the IV bags in the top left corner.

Within the cross sectional body, most organ systems are omitted so that focus on the alimentary canal and main blood

line insertion site for IV nutrition makes the message easy to read and understand. It reduces the cognitive load of the image

as the learner attempts to discriminate important from unimportant.

At the bottom of the image, two phrase are in boxes, which deviates in style from the remainder of the text. Depending

on the purpose of the image (is it meant to highlight these two specific tubes?) this may be appropriate. It may also be used

as a method of explaining these specific segments of the tubes are extensions on the nasogastric tube, not stand-alone.

Overall this is an effective image that clearly focuses on a the content it is trying to visually convey.

4) Icon

4a) Icon Analysis

The MyPlate Icon created by the USDA is meant to quickly show consumers how to create a “Balanced

Meal”, that if followed, meets national nutrition requirements.

Color and words are used to differentiate between desired food groups that comprise the meal. A simple

type face and clear delineation of plate “sections” by food group helps the reader visualize how they might adhere to the

recommendation. Supportive tools to operationalize recommendations depicted often accompany this image on the

website. All supportive tools are color coated to match the colors shown on the plate icon to support use of the icon.

The image is simple and does not introduce biases by choosing foods for the viewer. This is culturally

sensitive to food preferences, beliefs, cooking ability and economic resource. The open layout allows consumers to tailor

the recommendations to themselves.

Of note, the background blue color on this particular icon does diminish the differentiation of of “milk” as

a food group, also colored in blue. The website offers the icon with multiple background, however, a background of light

gray might have been best suited to provide contrast to the plate and food groups within without diminishing any one

food group for the viewer. Overall this image is an effective communication tool for national level health promotion.

5) Product Packaging

5a) Product Packaging Analysis

This product is a convenience food item. Like the food it contains, instructions should be quick to

understand and follow.

The images on the package reinforce written cooking instructions. Text is nicely aligned with images with

attention to sequence. There is good contrast between the background color and the text color. Type face is appropriately

bolded, italicized, or colored to differentiate messages and express importance. Anyone who might be skimming the

package can quickly glean the content through a combination of the visuals and the varied text.

It is not clear, but these directions would likely be found on the side panel of the product box. The shape

and layout of the text and images makes good use of this space by creating natural columns parallel to the confines of the

package by putting visuals of equal size and shape in the column on the left and words of almost equal length and lines on

the right. The text and visuals are balanced and easy to read.

6) Presentation Visual

6a) Presentation Visual Analysis

This visual was used in the context of Type II Diabetes education for adolescents and their parents. The families

receiving the education come from varied SES and need to master a series of sequential topics to ensure they can self-manage their

diabetes.

Typically, diabetes education relies on words embedded within tables to communicate. This can pose challenges

when literacy is of concern. Using an image like this, likely paired with the verbal communication from a health professional, the

audience is able to better identify the main messages 1) Carbohydrate food drives blood sugar up, 2) Insulin, medication and

exercise bring blood sugar down, and 3)) The goal for diabetes care is to keep blood sugar drivers in balance so that blood sugar

levels remain healthy and balanced.

There is good use of alignment/proximity as the individual graphics (such as food, medications, and a boy engaging

in movement to depict exercise) stacked together beside the arrows pointing “up” or “down” to indicate their impact on blood sugar.

The graphics are simple and easy to interpret.

There is an appropriate amount of content and use of both audio and visual channels, when this is used by a health

care provider, to allow the audience to process the content. This visual is also used in a series of visuals in this curriculum. One

visual is used to depict one concept such that the each individual visual is not responsible for communicating more than is possible

without words.

7) Logo

7a) Logo Analysis

This logo is used for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The logo must express the purpose

of the program, food assistance, in a manner that is not labeling or stigmatizing. The program was formerly called “Food

Stamps” with the icon appearing like a stamp. Now, the byline of the SNAP program is “putting healthy food within reach.”

The image of the grocery bag with food coming out of the top achieves this well. It conveys the message that SNAP makes

it easier for some to obtain healthful food.

The acronym “SNAP” is well contrasted on the green grocery bag and is explained by letter to the right of

the image to confirm the acronyms meaning. The image is simple enough that it will likely not lose resolution if used on

large or small areas.

Of note, the colors of the foods shown in the bag match the colors to depict the food groups of protein

(purple), vegetables (green), fruit (red), milk (blue), grains (orange) shown on “MyPlate” icon also promoted by the

USDA. This allows repetition and reinforcement of the types of foods the program hopes to encourage. It creates branding

for food groups that are consider wholesome and nutritious.

This logo might allow food marketers to use similar color coating to identify with SNAP consumers and

highlight healthy food choices. This is an effective, approachable, non-stigmatizing logo for those using public assistance.

8) Directory

8a) Directory Analysis

This directory is meant to support patients in parking their vehicle and walking to the Fegan outpatient building of

Boston Children’s Hospital. The directory uses clean, boldly colored blocks to create a floor map.

Although there are many buildings, the image helps the viewer focus in on the path they need to take to reach their

destination. Using this method of color coating and simplifying the floor plan, buildings are clearly separated for the viewer

but remain united and connected as one. Each building within the hospital has a corresponding color and icon. These colors

and icons are used throughout the building itself on signs, elevators, and stairwells to support way finding.

Main hallways are shown in relation to elevators and stair wells with clean, white lines. A directory key is positioned

in the top right hand corner and clearly marks elevators with clear red dots, restrooms by the familiar icon, and a red dotted

line that shows the path from the parking lot to the main building. The colors chosen for the elements of the key and the

buildings themselves create a clean contrast that is readable so the floor plan is easy to access. Extraneous information or

illustration is removed to support the reader in the specific task of reaching the Fegan building. This directory is simple,

direct, and, useful by way of its attention to design elements.

9) Data Visualization

9a) Data Visualization Analysis

This data visualization website allows you to view foods that contain significant amounts of nutrients of the viewers choosing. You can

choose a nutrient alphabetically or a “Wordle” appears to offer the pupular nutrients viewed on the website.

To conduct this analysis, a screenshot of Vitamin D is provided. The pie chart in the top center of the website depicts the “Top 8”

individual foods that are significant sources of the chosen nutrient. The foods are color coated by food type within the pie chart and are

proportional to the amount of the nutrient available.

Beneath the pie chart, individual foods are broken down by food type with a matching icon to represent the food. Consistent color

coating is used to support the viewer in quickly understanding the data in relation to the top 8 depicted in the pie chart above.

In this example, fats and oils are depicted using a silhouette of an oil bottle with a green bar chart beside it, which is the same green

used within the pie chart. You can click individual segments that represent food to obtain the specific nutrient profile of the individual

food. For instance, Cod Liver Oil, the richest source of vitamin D within the oil group, contains 9000+ International Units of Vitamin D. It

also shows the recommended amount of that nutrient per day.

This information is available for all known nutrients and could support those with specific micronutrient needs in identiying a variety

of foods that support their nutrient requirements.

Data Visual Source: http://lonelydatum.com/visualize/food/

10) Information Graphic

10a) Information Graphic Analysis

This info-graphic is based on a 2013 report analyzing the cost of raising a child over 18 years of their life.

The colors are meant to mimic nursery colors as a stork delivers us the information like a newborn child. The data hangs

below like a mobile with each subsets of the data hanging on strings.

The info-graphic does a nice job consolidating the 15+ page report into unbiased data that tells a story

about average expenditures by type of expenditure. The most important data is placed in the center of the graphic, with

supportive data that provides context and interpretation are laid out in banners on either side of the main information.

White font on a blue background creates visual contrast. There are minimal colors used which create unity

in the image overall. The thematic elements of the image (the stork, the mobile, the newborn colors) do not distract from

the message and instead reinforce the topic area.