The Meaning of Meaning

Read "Launching the Imagination" (Constructing Meaning: pages 158-175). Then start a new post in this forum with your name in the title and discuss the following questions:

1. How can iconography help graphic designers and digital artists communicate ideas?
2. Why might target audience affect design decisions?
3. Should icons, stereotypes and cliches be used in graphic design? Why or why not?
4. Compare and contrast analogy and metaphor.
5. What is your personal definition of aesthetics?
6. Compare and contrast modernism vs. postmodernism.
7. Why is immediacy and drama particularly important for commercial artists?

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1.) Iconography can help graphic designers and digital artists communicate through the symbolic meaning.     Iconography simply refers to artwork having specific meaning, having a symbolic representation. With this in mind, graphic designers and digital artists can communicate in a very simple way-- through symbolic art which universally means something.

2.) A design is soley based on the target audience-- especially if it is for commercial use. The target audience plays such a pivitol role simply because they are the ones who will be viewing this artwork. So, with this in mind, the designer has to be smart about what he/she decides to use in their piece. If the designer's target audience was a group of preteens with a Beiber obsession, then maybe promoting Justin Beiber might get their attention.

3.) I think it could be at times. It's not necessary all the time but when the designer finds it important and relevent to their piece, then yes I think it should be used.

4.) An analogy uses the word like or as. A Metaphor does not. An analogy is more of a comparison. A Metaphor is simply was it is.

5.) Aesthetics is the definition of what a specific piece is showing. For instance: If a piece is well done, it could be considered beautiful. If a piece is creepy and weird looking, it could be considered ugly. Aesthetics is the description of a certain object giving off a specific mood.

6.) Post Modernism is art that strongly depicts emphasis on a lack of boundaries, going all out. Modernism has alittle bit more strain on what should be done and what shouldn't.

7.) Commercial artists need these elements (immediacy and drama) mostly because it brings emphasis on their piece and captures the viewing audience's eye. Without these elements, it would be hard for the public to relate to these pieces or even to catch their eye.