WSINYE Videos

Video Summary

The first video explains the importance as well as how to apply a visual hierarchy in graphic design. This is important because it creates order, gives clear organization, and establishes different levels of importance (hierarchical) to the information being presented. The video uses a menu to demonstrate the effects of different typography techniques. For example, the headings and important, broad information is given larger text size with a decorative front. This is followed by the next category in the hierarchy given a heavier font type, but still within the same family of fonts in order to create a non-competitive and cohesive space. Additionally, “like is grouped with like” in order to show similarity, but space is also needed between these “likes” in order to show difference, as is done i the menu. The emphasis is that styles are duplicated in order to create consistency, but separation and a hierarchy are essential in order to shown differences and varying importance.

The second video further emphasizes the importance of creating order within a graphic design space because the human brain does this naturally, thus allowing information to be outlined easier. These are outlined through four Gesalt theories. The first is proximity, which means that when things are close together, the brain associates them as belonging together. By separating information through white space, this gives clear association and difference by putting similar information together and separating others using white space. Second is similarity, things that are similar are also associated as belonging together,. This is illustrated through using different background colors, fonts, styles, and shapes to show different groupings of information to be distinct from other groups but also similar within their own group. Thirdly, continuity states that visual lines of sight can create movement and a sense of direction, either directly or indirectly. Indirectly, aligning sections through an invisible line or using a movement of colors can guide a reader through, or a direct approach of literal lines, numbers, and movements are also effective. Finally, closure illustrates that when the brain is presented with a part of something, it desires to fill in the rest, especially when it involves a common shape. The video stresses the need to only present part of an object or shape in order to create simplicity because the brain has the ability to assume the full image that is wanting to be presented.

Outside Example

For my outside example, I thought of Bleacher Report’s graphic design for the 2020 NBA All Star Game teams. This was released Thursday evening after the two captains selected their teams from the All Star Game.

Reading Connection

I believe this example is applicable because it touches on many of the design tools of the videos. For starters, there is visual hierarchy. The two main players are composed on competing end with the all star game logo centered between them as the first piece of text. This clearly shows the context and main event that is occurring. Secondly, the two team names, Team Giannis and Team LeBron, are placed underneath in a different color text and a large size. This is underneath the logo, so clearly they are the two teams in the all star game, and they are above the white text below, showing different components of the teams. Finally there are the different players names that are in white and written smaller, showing that they are apart of the respective team to which side of the graphic they are on.

Additionally, the four theories are also in play here. The graphic is divided in two clear sides, as the images and text in proximity with their respective left or right side are grouped together and are in opposition to the opposing side. There is similarity as well, as the captains, Giannis and LeBron, are given large gold text while their supporting players are given general white text. One issue I believe the graphic doesn’t resolve is identifying which players are starters and which are reserves, which could be indicated by an asterisk or different color. There is continuity as well, as your eyes are guided down one side of the page before the dividing lines in the center direct you to the top of the right page, where your eyes work down from there. Finally closure is evident with the skyline being covered by the two players, as you can piece together an important city is behind them and likely where the event is taking place (Chicago). Additionally, only the players top thirds of their bodies are shown, but you can clearly tell they are human basketball players through the jerseys and context.