Notes for unit on reading graphic design in an alternative school language arts class.

1. Reading Graphics Jen Budenski, OCP ‘08 (from Reading Images by Kress and van Leeuwen)

3. Circles and round shapes denote endlessness , warmth , protection . Circles seem organic and natural, sometimes mystical .

4. Squares and rectangles are reasonable and orderly . Squares can seem man-made and artificial , rational and understandable .

5. Triangles are orderly like squares, but also give a sense of process or direction because they can seem like arrows to point at things.

7. A vertical angle , the camera looking down or up at a subject, injects a point of view and shows power relationships.

8. A horizontal angle will show involvement or detachment .

9. A back view signals vulnerability .

10. The size of the frame is social distance , the “bubble” of intimacy or formality .

11. Analyzing Composition com·po·si·tion / ˌ k ɒ mpə ˈ z ɪʃ ən/ –noun 1. the act of combining parts or elements to form a whole.

13. Some elements are more “ salient ” than others, attracting more attention because of being in the background or foreground , being larger or smaller than other elements, contrasting in tone or color, differing in focus and sharpness.

14. A frame or framing device connects or disconnects elements, showing they belong or don’t belong together .

15. Red is the color of fire and blood; shows energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination, desire, love. Yellow is the color of sunshine; associated with joy happiness, intellect, and energy. Green is the color of nature; symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, fertility. Blue is the color of sky and sea; associated with depth and stability. Orange combines energy of red and happiness of yellow; represents enthusiasm. Purple combines the stability of blue with the energy of red; symbolizes power. Luxury, and ambition . White is associated with light, goodness, and purity.