Week 6 Visual Perception 1, Top Down Visual Processing

The Instructions to build this Lego toy is an example of Top Down Visual Processing. The Goal-Directed Eye Movements guide the viewer, often times a child, to the goal of the building their toy. At each step of the instructions the viewer has short fixations in addition to Look-aheads to give them an idea of what parts they are going to need for the next stage of the instructions. Each stage of the instructions the viewer is determining which components they are going to need in addition to looking back at what they have currently completed as well. This maintains their attention on the instructions, while they repeat their top-down processes to their goal of completing the build of their car.

Interactions between 3 Three levels of Meaning; Representational, Abstract and Symbolic

Midori Araki's Stump Chair

Midori Araki's Stump Chair

Representational

The visual impact of the Representational tree stumps for the end user is that of fun and humor. The physical reality is a welcoming and engaging experience for those who want to explore and see the tree stumps possible function.  The Representational look is combined with the other 2 levels by engaging the user to use the tree stump for the purpose of sitting, while also symbolizing a sense of purity and innocence with it’s white color.

Abstract

The role of abstraction within the design of this tree stump chair could be from the designer’s experience of being out in the wilderness and perhaps using a tree stump for the purpose of a chair. The impact of this function-based abstraction comes out because of the universal end-user experience of using tree stumps as chairs or stools at some point of their life. The abstraction of what is a tree stump relates to the representational and symbolic because of man’s primal instinct of sitting on tree stumps when out in nature.

Symbolic

The role of this design is meant to recreate the relative simplicity of the chairs function. The chairs look of the tree stump creates a conversational piece that engages the user to wonder about the origins of this design. This modern approach could communicate to the end-user how trees were a source of inspiration for being used to fabricate chairs. It relates to the other two levels of meaning by creating a sense of purity and simplicity with its use of color and shape.

Symbolism Visual Image

Regardless of your religious affiliation, the cross has been recognized as the symbol of Christianity for centuries. We know this from seeing it in front of churches and from knowing that Jesus Christ was crucified on it. It's image to many, symbolizes the pain that Christ went through when he died on the cross for them. Controversial to many, it is either the source of war or peace throughout the world. If you are a Christian, making the sign of the cross before you say "in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit" is second nature. Present in everyday life, expect to be approaching a church if you see a road sign with a cross on it.

Representation Visual Image

This is a Representational image of both the Batmobile and of a wanting to be Bat Man. For an adult who sees this, it may evoke a representation of humor because of the relatively crude representation of the actual Batmobile But for the child, this representation of the Batmobile gives them a sense of empowerment that evokes the feeling of being batman. Their experience of empowerment  will be taken to another lever when they see the bed stand and dresser, unlocking their imagination into a world that is beyond their reality, sleeping and dreaming of the super hero they will become.

Abstraction Visual Image

This abstract image of the heart captures the many feelings we experience with life and love. The color of red, undeniably gives it a representational view of the actual heart, therefore giving us the feeling of life and of living. The vibrancy of the color, gives off an energy far beyond of what blood alone can represent. The vibrancy of the color, gives off a warm and rich feeling of love that we feel when we have found our one perfect mate. The black accents, of which could be perceived as blood, are a subtle yet painful reminder of how we feel when we have our heart broken, which is the feeling of dark blood oozing out of our heart.