Interactions Between the 3 Levels

Representational

In whole this exhibit design represents a human brain and its function. Certain characteristics such as its round shape helps represent a brain. Its representational brain components of the exhibition design serve as functional purposes. This design relates to the others levels, symbolic and abstract, in the same way representational forms are used to create abstract and symbolic recreations.

Abstract

This is an abstract design of a tree. Though it represents an object in our world it takes an abstract form because of the abstract functional elements such as the design elements of color and composition. This design represents a tree but changes in the design drastically change our visual idea of an actual tree. Its relation to the other levels comes from the original influence of a tree being representational and the design ultimately being symbolic in the end.

Symbolic

This symbol denotes transportation and bus stops on maps. Its simple design makes it easy to understand and decipher its meaning. Relating to the other levels, this symbol representational value is perceived with our perception of actual busses and the abstract value is similar. It takes a simpler less realistic interpretation of a bus making it abstract.

Week 14 Application Exercise

This design for a salt and pepper shaker uses representational cloud forms. The design makes putting salt and pepper on your food a bit more interesting. The salt and pepper being squeezed out represents clouds emitting rain. This rubber shaker directly correlates to the actions of an actual cloud making the design representational. To ensure a clear understanding of this design these cloud salt shakers by Anderson Horta are actually rubber. To avoid beating the salt shaker when it gets clogged you are actually able to squeeze the salt or pepper out.

This is an abstract representation of a house. My conclusion derives from the actual shape and characteristics of the house. My visual perception of a house is compromised by this structure because of its design looking more like a compound for sciences or some facility. This example falls under the category of concept-based abstraction. It satisfies the concept of a house but takes a shape like no other. Similar to this concept house is the subject of concept cars. Concepts are meant to be advanced, abstract and out of this world.

This is a symbol that is internationally known. The handicap symbol signifies access or privileges granted to those who qualify as being handicap. The symbol denotes a persons inability to walk without aid. Similar to its meaning, the design shows a person in a chair. The design is very simple but very successful because of its relation to injury. Injury is so often related to wheel chairs making this design successful and easily understood around the world.