When I first decided to start the blog, I did not really know what to expect. To be frank, with the advent of Facebook and Twitter, I had the perception that blogs are ‘things of the past’. I found that I was wrong. I discovered that blogs are more complete to share findings and resources, due to their common strength in archiving.
Blogs cannot be replaced by other media, just like print publications cannot be replaced by online ones. They have their respective strengths and weakness. In my comparison of publications of different medium types, I discovered that there are basic design principles that are adhered to, but different approaches are employed to suit their individualities.
Writing regularly for this couple of months has cultivated me to pay attention to issues affecting publications and their design considerations. This is formed, not just on my personal opinions. The researches done in this period has provided me significant knowledge on these issues.
It is not enough just to produce a good design, be it in print or online. Juxtapositions often lead to undesirable or amusing interpretations. Below are a few instances I have come across and they should explain the consequences of juxtapositions in a light-hearted manner.
This comes across as a grave irony as the top poster gives a totally different meaning to the products offered in the bottom poster. Such juxtaposition of advertisements greatly affect the desirable marketing intent of the product.
The positioning of the two articles together gives different meanings to the two news stories. The top one reports on the request to have home-buyer credit extended while the bottoms one corresponds to fraud in tax credit. The latter article seemingly mocks the former one.
In this juxtaposition of advertisement and article, the advertisement for Muslim Matrimonials is unforunately affected by the report on the right in which the religion of the reported figure was named.
In this instance, the potrait of the young girl who suffers from the mutilation from the Taliban is placed beside the advertisment of the photo-editing software. This points to insenstivity of the advertiser to advertise on such irony.
Comparing the print and online edition of the same publication allows us to observe the differences between both platforms.
The print edition of the flagship papers, The Straits Times, is printed in a broadsheet style and the layout of the online edition adopts a similar design concept with some modifications to suit the internet medium. The print edition has more consistent readers while the online edition has more erratic readers. Internet readers may be directed to the online edition by search engines and there is a need to capture their attention fast.
Emphasis on Top Story/ Stories
The print edition employs a more straightforward approach in its design and the publication displays one prominent top story with the use of an eye-catching photograph in the middle of the page. This layout ‘makes significant use of the Centre, placing one element in the middle and the other elements around it’ (Kress & van Leeuwen 1998, p.196). This gives emphasis to one story. In the online edition, the viewers are introduced to numerous top stories that are flashed in turns.
Unlike the simplicity in the print edition that directly displays each story behind their respective headlines, the online edition only states the headlines and their leads. Readers get to read the full story only upon clicking. This results in the online edition presenting itself with a more complex layout and attention is spread out among a number of top stories.
Video Options, Popular Stories and Relevant links unique to the Online Medium
Interactivity and Advertisements
There are no doubts that internet edition dominates the print edition in interactivity. Video options, tracking of the popular stories and relevant links are unique components that provide a more wholesome reading experience to internet users. Readers can even view the comments made by other users about the story.
Advertisements are of economic importance to newspapers. They are usually ‘prepared first, for the good reason that many of them have to be proofed for viewing by the advertiser or agent.’(Woolf, p.87) In the print edition, the advertisements remain within their allocated areas. However, interactivity of the online medium proves to be quite a nuisance to the average users at times. In the online edition, advertisements sometimes appears as animations or pop-ups and proves to be distracting.
References
Kress, G, van Leeuwen, Theo 1998, ‘Front pages: (the critical) analysis of newspaper layout’, in Bell A & Garrett (eds), Approaches to media discourse, Blackwell, Oxford, pp.186-219
Woolf, G 2002,Publication Production Using Pagemaker: A Guide to Using Adobe Pagemaker 7, Worsley Press, Hastings
This youtube video gives a brief idea of the application of basic design principles via Coca Cola print advertisements. The design principles discussed in the video are explored with reference to design texts.
According to Lidwell, Holden and Butler (xxxx, p.234), symmetry is defined as ‘a property of visual equivalence among elements in a form’ and has been regarded as a basic element ‘found in virtually all forms of nature.’ They can be further classified into reflection, rotation, and translatio’. Symmetry is considered as ‘the most basic and enduring aspect of beauty’. Balance is a basic skill of design in achieving symmetrical figures which attributes to the recognition and memory of the image.
According to Elam (2001, p.5), proportion is one of the ‘visual princeiples of geometric composition’ and ‘classic porportioning systems (include) the golden section and root rectangles’. Indeed, proportion is defined as the relativity between size and scale between elements in a design. For instance, proportion can be considered between the height, width and length of one element against the over composition.
Sequence
Sequence refers to the technique that is ‘used to connect elements that are not otherwise obviously grouped’ (Lidwell, et al, 2010, p. 246). An instance is the use of a connecting line to guide the audience’s viewing pattern.
Lauer and Pentak (2008, p.28) states that unity ‘means that a congruity or agreement exists among the elements in a design’ or simply, making different elements appear as if they ‘belong together’.
References
Elam, K 2001, Geometry of design: studies in proportion and composition, Princeton Architectural Press, New York
Lauer D A, Pentak S, 2008 Design Basics, Thomson Wadsworth, Boston
Lidwell W, Holden K, Butler J, 2010, Universal Principles of Design: 125 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions and Teach through Design, Rockport, Beverly
According to Steele (2002, p.7), censorship is ‘any attempt to limit or prevent the free exchange of information’. It can be an attempt by the government or individuals in the choice of in the exchange of information. Indeed, censorship is often used based on good intent to safeguard the interest of the public. On the personal level, there are parents wish to restrict the kids’ access to questionable content, such as obscene, violent or sexual contents. On the national level, government may censor as a form of social control to maintain social balance and harmony. Of the various media forms, censorship in the cyberspace remains a great challenge, given its freedom of expression.
In Singapore, censorship focuses on four areas: political, racial, religious and sexual issues. Being a multi-racial society, the Singapore Government pays special attention to censor information or views that may undermine respective reasons. The Maria Hertogh riots that occurred in the 1950s, that leaves at least 18 killed and 173 injured, ‘highlighted the insensitive way the media handled religious and racial issues in Singapore’ (Tan, 1997). To control the exchange of online information, the 3 Internet Service Providers ( ISPs) abide by regulations of the Media Development Authority (MDA) to block websites with questionable materials.
On the personal level, internet users are expected to practice self-censorship. Chen Jiahao received email that notified him that the government was considering legal action against his blog when Chen blogged his criticism of A*STAR, a Singaporean state agency. Facing potentially ruinous financial penalties, Chen issued a public apology, shut down his blog and promised to not to make similar statements in future. Chen’s case reinforces the power of law to alter Internet content and has led other Singaporean bloggers to write more cautiously.
