Friday, February 8, 2008
Faigley "Analyze Images and Other Kinds of Visual Texts
After Reading Faigley's "Analyze Images and Other Kinds of Visual Texts" I learned the true importance of text in advertisements and what its roles can be changed too. While we all too often think of text as just words, the reading gave us an example of how a vehicle design (while it may not be in words), can still be analyzed for its meaning and rhetorical strategies. I thought it was interesting how the reading went into detail on what SUV's are manufacutred to do, while most people who own them don't even take them off road. I thought it was also interesting that they are one of the least safe vehicles you can drive, but we still buy them for their looks and the perception that they give to their owners. It was cool how the reading related a SUV's front end for a Dodge Durango to an animal with a big jaw, while the minivan who has the soccer mom image has a grill that looks like a smile. I thought it was a really good reading that showed you the importanace of using images as a form of text or "communicating" in advertisements.
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4 comments:
I agree with you Steve on the facts about how important texts is to a good advertisement. I guess I never really thought about how if an ad doesn't have specific enough info. towards what the ad is trying to accomplish, the actual message might not get to the target audience. Very good Steve.
It is rather interesting how effective certain ads are at selling items built for function to people looking only at style. Referring to the SUV comment, I completely understand. I almost find it funny when I see a Hummer driving down the rough streets in downtown Tiffin or Bowling Green, Ohio. Further, I often see people driving massive trucks who have no reason to do so. They simply love what the advertisement made them associate the truck with in their mind. (Power, Virility, Dominance)
If there isn't an obvious message, the visitor or raeder will not keep the idea in mind. An ad or website needs to entice the reader the think about the product and carry the message on. very good steve. hahaha
Steve,
Studies on visual rhetoric do help us understand what happens around us in a different way. I would think it provides us with a different way to understand life.
Ruby
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