1. Visual Literacy Literacy
Excerpts from: PICTURE THIS:
How A Picture Works,
By Molly Bang

2. Why Visual Literacy?

3. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
In this presentation, you will see how to build a picture that relates to a moment in the story of Little Red Riding Hood using basic elements of shape, color and value and considering certain principles such as contrast (of size, color and value), placement or emphasis and repetition to create tension or evoke an emotional response. Then you will work with your group to complete an exercise using the same simple cut paper collage technique.
All of the images are from Molly Bang’s book. She decided to represent Little Red Riding Hood as a red triangle since the color and shape relate to her clothing.
She explains that we see shapes and react to them in context. If the story were about the ocean what might the red triangle represent?…. Do the different associations evoke different responses?
She explains that the red triangle she chose for Little Red isn’t huggable because of its points but makes us feel stable because of its wide flat horizontal base and equal sides. We get a sense of balance and equanimity from the shape. The color is warm which suggests a number of conflicting things such as danger but also passion and vitality.
Ocean story: sailboat, volcanic island, red nun buoy, VS the bow of sinking ship or shark’s fin.

4. This is Little Red Riding Hood as a medium sized red triangle
This is Little Red Riding Hood as a medium sized red triangle. The figure evokes these feelings: stability, balance, alertness plus warmth strength, vitality, boldness and a sense of danger.
How might we represent her mother ?
KNCKXVC

5. Molly Bang writes:

7. LARGER, SOFTER PALE SHAPE = BRIGHT IN VISUAL WEIGHT
VIOLET : RED = MOTHER:DAUGHTER
BALANCE IS ACHIEVED BUT EMPHASIS IS ON THE MAIN CHARACTER:

8. CONSTRUCT AN ENVIRONMENT FOR THE STORY

22. SOME PRINCIPLES

23. Horizontal Shapes and Lines convey a sense of stability and calm
Vertical Shapes and Lines are more active, they defy gravity

24. Placing a horizontal bar across a series of verticals conveys stability and order -as in a classical temple design

25. Diagonal shapes and lines imply movement or tension
Diagonal shapes and lines imply movement or tension. Diagonals add depth to a picture and lead the eye into the picture

26. Triangle with wide horizontal base looks stable
Tilted triangle could suggest a missile. Implies movement

27. Triangles in descending order on the diagonal imply an even
greater sense of movement and deeper space

28. An object placed higher up in the picture has greater pictorial weight
The upper half of the picture is a place of freedom and happiness or triumph!
Objects placed in the top half feel more “spiritual”, can seem to be floating of flying- escaping the earth’s gravitational pull. Conversely, the bottom half of the picture feels more grounded, heavier, sadder.

29. The center of the page is the most effective center of attention-the point of greatest attraction, BUT

30. THE PICTURE IS MORE DYNAMIC when the center of interest is moved out of the center of the page

31. WHITE or light backgrounds feel safer…
than dark backgrounds.
Dark/Light: Night:Day Black:White - Unknown:Clarity, Fear/hope

32. Pointed shapes can be threatening
Pointed shapes can be threatening. They cause a tense or fearful response
Rounded shapes evoke a calm, comforting feeling

33. The LARGER an object is in the picture, theSTRONGER it feels
The LARGER an object is in the picture, theSTRONGER it feels. It dominates the space of the page
The smaller the shape, the more vulnerable it seems in the vast space of the picture

34. How would you sort these?

35. We tend to associate same or similar colors much more strongly than
We associate same or similar shapes

36. We respond to CONTRASTS because contrast enables us to see.
Human visual perception is based on contrast.
Contrast: value, color, shape, size, texture, placement and/or a combination of some or all.

37. PROFESSIONAL EXAMPLES
Storyboards and illustrations from
The Incredibles

38. An Example of a Storyboard

39. The Incredibles storyboard

40. Illustrations by Teddy Newton, Pixar Studios

41. Illustrations by Lou Romano, some from The Incredibles

42. Example of Stylization

44. Contemporary Swiss Propaganda Poster
What is the message? Which version is the most effective?