Project 2 reading response

By working in graphic design, one begins to realize more and more the importance of focusing not only on the figure with in the picture, but also the ground and how it relates to the figure. As a graphic designer, it is important to see the balance, or imbalance, in an image. In the juxtapositions, it became clear how important the balance of the positive and negative of both the photograph and the line study. In arranging the images, it became clearer that the negative space might easily have more importance than the positive space, or ground. This idea is very intriguing. It is a concept that is very useful (if you are aware of it) as a tool when creating and arranging any image.

It is also important for a graphic designer to be aware of the framing of an image. In real life, we see frames surrounding us everywhere. Once we start to think about this, we notice frames in so many places in our environment, and begin to see and understand how frames work.

Jacques Derrida does the best job at understand and explaining the essence and function of a frame: ..."The frame is subservient to the content it surrounds, disappearing as we focus on the image or object on view, and yet the frame shapes our understanding of that content". After studying the lines, and comparing the photographs to the lines, the frames of each composition started to either 'pop out' if they were awkward, or 'fit in' if they were subtle and worked well. This is where experimentation on the cropping became vital for creating a well balanced and successful composition.

It is important to a graphic designer to remember that "frames are part of the fundamental architecture of graphic design" (Lupton).