Artifact

In class, we chose postcards to analyze given the design principles we read for the week. My postcard was an advertisement/invitation to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. The most noticeable part of the postcard was the woman in the center in full Shakespearean makeup. Even though she was the most evident item to a viewer of the postcard, she was not necessarily the most important, for the postcard used three of the design principles (layering, transparency, and hierarchy) which subtly stated otherwise. However, the transparency was not the most effective (nor the most obvious) design principle in use.

Besides the background (the first layer), and the model (the second layer), there was at least one more layer present. This layer featured gold text (the textual invitation) and a gold and blue layer of design in the bottom left corner. This graphic, in my opinion, was merely present to add flair and creativity to the design. The graphic featured curled lines, reminiscent of the model’s curly hair. This design covered the lower left side of the model pictured—the gold was opaque and the blue was transparent over the model’s skin. I did not see a reason for this transparency besides making the design interesting.

The layer of text also covered the model, but not much of her. Mostly, the text covered her hair, showing that this was the most forefront layer. The text was opaque, not transparent. Though the model was the focal point for the viewer, the text was the most hierarchical item of importance. Without the text, the viewer would not know what the purpose of the postcard was—it would merely be a pretty picture of a pretty model.

Also included in this layer was a small Shakespeare Festival logo in the bottom right corner. Again, this was an opaque layer that semi-covered the model, also showing its hierarchy of importance. Again, without this logo, the postcard would have no meaning—it would be an invitation, but for what? Though it is more important than the model pictured, it is much smaller than the text in the upper left corner—therefore in the design hierarchy, it is more important than the model, but less important than the actual textual invite.

This image is a similar postcard design but does not include the text or Illinois Shakespeare Festival logo. However, you can see the opaque gold graphic against the blue transparent graphic.