ImageMaking
Denotative images & Connotative images
Studio outcome of this unit
- Students will each create 12 Denotative Images of 1 chosen everyday object with a variety of media.
- Students will each create 3 Connotative Images of 1 chosen everyday object with a variety of media.
- Students will choose a favorite Connotative image out of their 3 and turn it into a final drawing.
- Students will take their final drawing and turn it into a digital drawing in Photoshop.
Denotative Images |
|
denotative is another form of denote
DENOTE
verb (used with object), de·not·ed, de·not·ing. to be a mark or sign of; indicate: A fever often denotes an infection.
to be a name or designation for; to mean.
to represent by a symbol; stand as a symbol for.
Basically, denotative imagemaking is the most simplest kind of imagemaking. Denotative imagemaking is when you make an image of that object, and it is exactly what the object is. Your image is an exact representation of that object.
There's no other meaning attached to it. It literally is what it is. A lot of denotation is really trying to get the essence of an image. Trying to strip it down to its core communicative value, and that's a useful skill to have as a designer.
DENOTE
verb (used with object), de·not·ed, de·not·ing. to be a mark or sign of; indicate: A fever often denotes an infection.
to be a name or designation for; to mean.
to represent by a symbol; stand as a symbol for.
Basically, denotative imagemaking is the most simplest kind of imagemaking. Denotative imagemaking is when you make an image of that object, and it is exactly what the object is. Your image is an exact representation of that object.
There's no other meaning attached to it. It literally is what it is. A lot of denotation is really trying to get the essence of an image. Trying to strip it down to its core communicative value, and that's a useful skill to have as a designer.
Assignment 1: Denotative image assignment:
Using a variety of media, you will create 12 denotative images of a single everyday/household object. Choose something that comes in different varieties, something that isn’t too visually complicated, or too simple, and something that is easily recognizable. How much or how little can you show to depict your object "in it's essence" so it is easily recognizable?
The questions you should ask yourself with each image you create of your chosen everyday object is: "Is this recognizable? Does my image communicate what my object is?"
In this assignment I'd like you to experiment with a variety of imagemaking techniques to create a range of images of a single household/everyday object. Make each image with different techniques, and in a different way.
Assignment 2: Connotative image assignment:
Next, you will create 3 connotative images of your chosen everyday object. Remember it should convey a message or some type of meaning that is deeper than just being the object itself.
After you've completed 3, you will make 1 final connotative image of your object for critique.
You will turn your final connotative image into a digital illustration using Photoshop (tutorial below).
Using a variety of media, you will create 12 denotative images of a single everyday/household object. Choose something that comes in different varieties, something that isn’t too visually complicated, or too simple, and something that is easily recognizable. How much or how little can you show to depict your object "in it's essence" so it is easily recognizable?
The questions you should ask yourself with each image you create of your chosen everyday object is: "Is this recognizable? Does my image communicate what my object is?"
In this assignment I'd like you to experiment with a variety of imagemaking techniques to create a range of images of a single household/everyday object. Make each image with different techniques, and in a different way.
- 12 different images of a single object
- variety of media
- variety of composition (use the design principles you just learned)
- each image you create should look somewhat different from your other images -EXPERIMENT!
- each image should be easily recognizable of your chosen object-it should visually communicate your object
Assignment 2: Connotative image assignment:
Next, you will create 3 connotative images of your chosen everyday object. Remember it should convey a message or some type of meaning that is deeper than just being the object itself.
After you've completed 3, you will make 1 final connotative image of your object for critique.
You will turn your final connotative image into a digital illustration using Photoshop (tutorial below).
Examples: Denotative images of an Apple
Connotative Images
connotative is another form of connote
verb (used with object), con·not·ed, con·not·ing.to signify or suggest (certain meanings, ideas, etc.) in addition to the explicit or primary meaning:The word “fireplace” often connotes hospitality, warm comfort, etc.
to involve as a condition or accompaniment: Injury connotes pain.
verb (used without object), con·not·ed, con·not·ing.to have significance only by association, as with another word:Adjectives can only connote, nouns can denote.
The dictionary defines connotation as an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning. But as designers we're also dealing with images. So we're going to also be looking at how images evoke, in addition to their literal meaning. So what we're doing with our image making here is much more than just making a visual representation. We're actually making meaning. We're telling stories, creating narratives, and giving extra information to the viewer. Connotative images can be very culturally contextual. They can mean different things to different cultures.
In general, we're trying to work with an idea of cultural consensus here that most people might understand what this image means. But sometimes that does involve a certain culture knowing a certain history, or a certain context.
So whereas, denotation works for everybody, connotation requires a level of visual literacy, or a level of contextual understanding that makes it much more complex. It's actually asking a lot more of the viewer, but the upside to this is it gives the designer way more tools to create more complicated messages.
verb (used with object), con·not·ed, con·not·ing.to signify or suggest (certain meanings, ideas, etc.) in addition to the explicit or primary meaning:The word “fireplace” often connotes hospitality, warm comfort, etc.
to involve as a condition or accompaniment: Injury connotes pain.
verb (used without object), con·not·ed, con·not·ing.to have significance only by association, as with another word:Adjectives can only connote, nouns can denote.
The dictionary defines connotation as an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning. But as designers we're also dealing with images. So we're going to also be looking at how images evoke, in addition to their literal meaning. So what we're doing with our image making here is much more than just making a visual representation. We're actually making meaning. We're telling stories, creating narratives, and giving extra information to the viewer. Connotative images can be very culturally contextual. They can mean different things to different cultures.
In general, we're trying to work with an idea of cultural consensus here that most people might understand what this image means. But sometimes that does involve a certain culture knowing a certain history, or a certain context.
So whereas, denotation works for everybody, connotation requires a level of visual literacy, or a level of contextual understanding that makes it much more complex. It's actually asking a lot more of the viewer, but the upside to this is it gives the designer way more tools to create more complicated messages.
EXAMPLES: Connotative IMAGES OF AN APPLE
Student examples:
Object: Sharpie Marker
Object: Cent coin
Photoshop tutorial: Turning your final connotative image into a digital Illustration
In this tutorial, I go through all the steps to make your hand drawn connotative illustration a digital version. We use simple tools in Photoshop to do this.
Make sure you have a good photo of your drawing loaded on your laptop before you begin this tutorial
Take a Screenshot of your digital illustration (to upload onto your portfolio site) and also save it as a PSD (Photoshop) file.
Make sure you have a good photo of your drawing loaded on your laptop before you begin this tutorial
Take a Screenshot of your digital illustration (to upload onto your portfolio site) and also save it as a PSD (Photoshop) file.
Hand Drawn Image Photo
|
Digital Image
|