Chapter 2 Questions

1. B is the image whose top and bottom have been flipped. And C is the image that has then been rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees.

2. The bold face helps the figure-ground contrast because black is thicker and stands out more from the white background. The italic letters appear to be thinner than the plain text, making the figure-ground contrast less.

3.

a.) The text still is very clear, despite the blue background. Because it is a dark blue and the lettering is white, there is still a good figure-ground contrast. The background color does not add very much noise.

b.) While I don't feel the color has an advantage for the rhetorical situation, I don't reel it adds distracting noise. I think the color makes the tone of the book more friendly, and the blue background coordinates with the image in the center of the page adding emphasis.

c.) I think that the figure-ground contrast still stands out despite the fact that the background is blue. I think the trade-off is fine because the book looks organized with the color scheme that is used.

4.

a.) On the Clemson homepage, the links that relate to one another are in the same font, size and color, with only a slight vertical line separating them. Many of the links remain the same and in the same spot no matter what screen of the website you are on.

b.) This website puts similar links together. For example the links to go to for students, prospective students, faculty are all in a row. At the top of the page the links for the home page, the site index, etc. are in a row and reappear on every page. The feature stories on the homepage have a header and also a brief statement describing the story.

c.) The website uses lines and shades of color mostly to separate the different groups of links. the space and direction the related links go (horizontal or vertical) is also a way they are separated.

d.) These patterns help because it makes the site easy to navigate. Viewers are always able to find their way back to the home page. The grouping also makes it easier to see where a certain category would be located on the page.

5. The document displays figure ground contrast relatively well. I think the main heading could be a little more clear if the words had a thin black outline to make them contrast the grey background more. I think the grouping works pretty well with a column layout and bold headings with each category. By using these 2 principles, the document is easy for the audience to read and follow. There is little noise, making the document clear, and the headings help to mark what each short paragraph will discuss.

6. In newsletters I think the type, color, and location of the logo on the document distinguish them. Having a bold or bright color makes the headings stand out, yet too much graphic design makes the heading look cluttered.