Aniyah's+Project+Two+Reflection

Project Two: Visual Arguement

I found this paper/project to be a bit harder than the last paper. Overall, the experience was a good one, for we, the class, were given the opportunity to create a visual arguement instead of a written arguement. This left space for creativity and exploration. In order for me to move through the process smoothly, I first had to decide on the direction I wanted to go in. I first got started in class with a mind-map pre-writing assignment. After that (and after figuring out the direction I wanted the visual project to go in) the process became a bit easier.

Since this project needed to be a website with mostly visuals, I used a computer throughout the entire process. Actually, I completed my project while simultaneously doing my psychology lab assignment. (I had to train my virtual rat Sniffy. So, while a set up Sniffy's schedule I left him there to adjust while I worked on my Composition assignment). I completed both assignments in the computer lab in the library, and the only sounds I heard were the tapping on keyboards. As far as reseach, the direction I went in was largely based off of what I already knew with my personal experience with games. Therefore, the only real research I actually had to do was finding the visuals to replace the words I had to say.

The only aspect of the project that was challenging to me was figuring out a direction. I knew I wanted to talk about women representation in videogames, but I did not know exactly //what// I wanted to say about it. I overcame that obstacle when I figured that, by organizing my website in a certain way, I can talk about a number of different ideas involving women in games. In the end, I decided to talk about how women are represented in videogames, how often each representation occurs and whether or not there in an imbalance, what people have to say about that imbalance, and a possible solution to that imbalance. Believe it or not, I spent most of my time with the colors and fonts of the website. I needed strong, dominant, radical fonts and colors so that viewers would understand that the topic required attention and needed to be taken seriously. Finding the visuals to support my direction was the easiest part of the project.

Advice Section

If you were required to make a visual arguement on a specific topic, remember two main things: -take into consideration the connotative and denotative meanings of a message. Example: It would be difficult to convince someone that "Smoking Is Bad" if all of your visuals are outlined in pink flowers, red hearts, and happy little snow bunnies. //-have your visuals POP. If there is something you really want your viewers to see, be SURE they see it!// //If you are having trouble getting started, I would suggest starting with what you know. Play around with your own knowledge, then branch off into minor reseach, toy around with different direction styles, and then finally settlte for what you think is the best method for getting your point or idea across.//