Closure

So I was doing an assignment in my Art 130 (Intro to Graphic Design) class.  I'm supposed to take pictures to show the principles of design.  I didn't understand the principles of design.  I'm kind of blind when it comes to things that are right in front of my nose, because as it turns out It tells you right on the page what the definitions of the principles are.

I was having difficulty finding the design principle of Lost and Found it turns out it is the exact same idea as the Gestalt principle of Closure

It means that you don't see all of the edges, but you see enough that your brain fills the rest in.  The example they gave was of a panda bear.

This is where I got the picture

See the lines between the ears aren't filled in but you see them.

Analyzing like an Analyzer

I just read an article in commarts.com about Singing like a Singer, by Wendy Richmond, a visual designer and writer, about how she attempted to sing along with one of her favorite songs like she was actually a singer, and she learned things that had never before occurred to her, in the many times prior, listening to this song.

I find that any time you try to change your perspective, you learn new things.  If you are upset with a room mate, sibling, spouse, or co-worker, but then genuinely try to see things from their point of view, you learn a little bit of how their brain works. You learn their motivations and desires.

The more you learn, the more varied your perspective is. It's like "the cow principle" in Econ:

Once you see the cow you will always see the cow (your perspective is changed forever).

Now you can choose to ignore it, and look at what looks like a fence behind the cow once you have seen it, but you know the cow is there.
Similarly with advertising, once you know the principle you can't help but look at commercials and think, "they're using this principle."  One example for me is fast food logos. Many of them are red due to color theory: red psychologically and subconsciously makes people hungrier.
Or with statistics, once you learn basic principles you become more wary of ambiguous statistics.
Or with music once you know what a final cadence sounds like you are apt to notice when it is used.

Basically this principle applies to every aspect of life.  Perspective is everything!

A Slightly Unsettling Notion....Every Time

I have once again realized that I am in almost no way prepared for "the real world."

(http://earth.com/wp-content/themes/earth/custom/images/home-earth.JPG)

This concept has frightened me since I was younger, but as the time nears I find that although I continue to acquire new skills, I am altogether unqualified for anything I might attempt.

I don't have the knowledge to enter any new fields.

(I thought that is what college was supposed to prepare you for.)

I suppose I shall have to work harder outside of my regular courses to find the experiences that will prepare me for "life in the jungles of reality."

WHEN WILL I EVER USE THIS?!?!

It is amazing how relevant my major is in my life!  I get to utilize skills I learn just fiddling with my computer, using Power Points, making videos, news breifs, and other skills.

Right now I am really excited about what I am learning in my Developing World class.
I am learning about Indonesia specifically, and how development affects it.  We are learning about world poverty and what different cultures are trying to do about it.

We are focusing on current events and I am learning about the floods that are currently engulfing the nation.

I am also learning about the procedures of an advertising agency as I put it into practice in the I-comm agency.  We are working on a campaign for the Police and the School Library.

So, basically my life is crazy but I am enjoying it thoroughly. (Once my head stops spinning.)