GVCM Chapter 6: Using PowerPoint

GVCM Chapter 4 & 5: Photos, Illustrations, and Text Integration

Name: Tyrone Simpson	Student Number:
ISM 4011: Introduction to Information Systems
Graphics and Visual Communication for Managers (GVCM)
Chapter 4: Using Photos & Illustrations and Chapter 5: Integrating Graphics & Text
DIRECTIONS:  Read the chapter first, then: 1. Answer the questions as indicated below in the space under the question.  Answers may be found in the appropriate chapter of your GVCM textbook. 2. Change your answers to blue so they can be easily distinguished from the questions. 3. Create a new blog post and copy this information into the post. 4. Once it is pasted into your blog, select all the text (CTRL A) and change the font to TREBUCHET. 5. Change the TITLE of the post to GVCM Chapter 4 & 5: Photos, Illustrations, and Text Integration
Chapter 4: Using Photos and Illustrations
1. How can photos and illustrations enhance a document or presentation? Does a graphic always add value to the document? Why is it important to choose the images carefully?
Photos and illustrations enhance a document or presentation by bring greater understanding to the viewer, illicit a quicker and deeper emotional response, and convey meanings and suggestions faster than words. Never-the-less, using the wrong graphic can detract from the intended message and diminish the quality of the document.
2. What should you consider when deciding to use a color image or a black and white image?
Before deciding to use a color image or black and white image you must consider whether or not the image or some aspect of the image will overpower or dominate other information in the document.
3.  Describe the following photographic terms:
1. Scale- how big or small does the photo need to be to convey its message appropriately and accurately? 2. Cropping- how is the subject matter of the photograph included within the frame of the image? 3. Focus- is the subject matter clear enough for the viewer to access the information? 4. Tonal range-do the values of the image allow for appropriate visual legibility?
4.  What are stock photos? How can you find them? Are you permitted to use any photos you find on the Internet free?  Are free photos available to you (try searching the Internet for FREE STOCK PHOTOS)?
Stock photos are pre-captured or standard images. These images can easily be found on the internet. Not all stock images are free and it may be necessary to pay for some stock photos. There are several websites that offer stock photos 100% free.
5. iStockPhoto: IStockPhoto is one of thousands of providers of stock photography. To answer these questions, go to the company website at: http://www.istockphoto.com/
1. Besides photos, what other stock materials can you find at iStockPhoto? In addition to stock photos iStockPhoto offers free stock video clips, free illustrations, and free audio clips. 2. Describe the methods of payment for images (scroll down to the bottom of the page): Customers are able to purchase files by paying were credits that are deducted each time a download of a file is completed. Corporate customers can setup a payment plan in which they are billed every 30 days and their credits are deducted. 3. Can you get free photos from iStock? If so, how? Individuals can received receive free stock photos by becoming a member of iStock and registering online. 4. Think of an exotic animal to search for in the iStockPhoto gallery and then:    a. In the iStockPhoto SEARCH box, search for an image of the animal.    b. When you find a dramatic image of the animal, click on it to get to the photo’s pricing page.    c. Now click on the PAY-AS-YOU go link to see the pricing for the image.    d. Take a SCREENSHOT of the pricing page of the image, paste into PAINT, and save in your GRAPHICS folder.    e. When this document has been copied into a new blog post, insert the image in the space below. (See CHAPTER 3 for how to save screenshots.)
My exotic animal image:
6.  Describe when an illustration may be more effective than using a photograph in a document:
Illustrations may be extremely effective when attempting to convey abstract ideas or when attempting to conceptualize hypothetical constructs.
7. What are some of the disadvantages of using photos in a document?
Some disadvantages of using photos in a document is that the photo may become aged, out of style, and the images obsolete. Also, photos may overshadow the purpose of the document or provide too much background information which would obscure the intended message.
8. Describe the following issues regarding image preparation:
1. Color format-relates to the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color system or the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) color system. 2. Resolution- refers the dpi (dots per inch) of an image 3. Cropping- refers to the elimination of any unnecessary digital information within an image.
9. Describe five best practices for using images in documents and presentations:
Decide whether a photograph or an illustration is better suited for the communication. Decide what tone the image should project. Decide whether or not an image will improve your message. Prepare the files properly for inclusion in the document. Review your selections for quality and consistency. Ask yourself, “Is this image doing what it needs to do? Also ask yourself whether the combination of images in your document works well or makes the document look disjointed.
Chapter 5: Integrating Graphics and Text
1. Briefly explain these three roles that visuals play in text:
1. Visuals that evoke feelings- need no contextual explanation; created to solicit a certain emotion 2. Visuals that supplement text- indicative of graphic data; used to pictorially enforce the text 3. Visuals that complement the text- typical of instructional manuals; images work with the text to help communicate the main idea
2. Describe five best practices for integrating text and graphics:
Refer the reader to the graphic within the text. Label and number each figure in a document and refer to the graphic by figure number. Place the graphic as close as possible after the first reference. Do not place graphics before they are mentioned in the text; this will confuse readers. For complementary visuals, provide cues in the text about when and how your readers should use the visuals. In addition, provide adequate labeling so that you are able to talk about the graphic within the text. Be sure that you have designed the graphic to support the message in the text. Ask yourself if readers will be able to see what you want them to see. For supplementary visuals, tell the reader what to notice in the graphic. In a data graphic, what are the important findings or trends? In a picture or illustration, where should we focus our attention? In a diagram, how should we be reading the illustrated relationships?

GVCM Supplement: Effective Signage Design

GVCM Chapter 3: Using Color

Name: Tyrone Simpson	Student Number:
ISM 4011: Introduction to Information Systems
Graphics and Visual Communication for Managers (GVCM)
Chapter 3: Using Color
DIRECTIONS:  Read the chapter first, then: 1. Answer the questions as indicated below in the space under the question.  Answers may be found in the appropriate chapter of your GVCM textbook. 2. Change your answers to blue so they can be easily distinguished from the questions. 3. Create a new blog post and copy this information into the post. 4. Once it is pasted into your blog, select all the text (CTRL A) and change the font to TREBUCHET. 5. Change the TITLE of the post to: GVCM Chapter 3: Using Color
1. Define the following properties of color:
Hue-the visual colors that we see Value-how light or bright the color is Saturation-the intensity of the color; how pale or strong it is
2. Describe the traits (both positive and negative) often associated with three of the colors described in this chapter:
Yellow- (Friendly and Cowardly) Orange- (Creative and Outrageous) Green- (Natural and Greedy)
3.  What is the significance of cultural context with regard to color?
Colors can have varying meanings within different cultures.
4.  What is the significance of physical context with regard to color?
Colors are never isolated and when making color selections you must consider the color in relation to other colors.
5. What are some design concepts to keep in mind when choosing gray-scale or choosing color?
When choosing gray-scale make the value of the grays at least 20% different from each other. When choosing color make sure that the colors will be distinguishable in either print media or video media.
6. List five methods to use color strategically:
In a graphic put the most important information in the strongest color. Use simple color changes to illuminate a point. Symbolize ideas with color (ex. Red=fire). Differentiate data items with different colors. Identify similar data items by making them the same color.
7. Briefly describe the following types of color systems:
RGB-(Red, Green, Blue) color model used in computers and television screens HSL-(Hue, Saturation, Lightness) color model used for digital projection CMYK-(Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black)-describes all colors as a mixture of the four ink colors; used in printing for full color documents Pantone-(Pantone Matching System)-the definitive international reference for selecting, specifying, matching and controlling ink colors. Hexadecimal-six character codes are used to specify colors for websites. The hexadecimal [“hex”] numbers are translations of the RGB values for these colors.
8. Why is it recommended that you be consistent and conservative when choosing a color palette for a business or a project?
Utilizing a simple and consistent color palette will reduce visual clutter and help guide the viewer through the document or presentation in a clear and even manner.
9. List and briefly describe five things to consider when choosing a color palette:
Corporate branding-does the color palette reflect the colors of the organization. Psychological and cultural meaning-know how the choice of colors will be interpreted by your audience. Surrounding colors-always consider that individual colors will be affected by other colors around them. Emphasis-when using colors to add emphasis, be sure to use a palette that combines highly saturated colors with less saturated colors. The need to print in black & white-depending upon whether or not the document will be printed in limited color or black and white, choose color variations with different values and saturation so that their gray-scale equivalents will look different.
10. On page 43, the textbook authors assert that with regard to visual communication, color has power. After reading this chapter, in what ways can you utilize this power in your business communications?
The power of color can be used in business communications to express ideas quickly and efficiently.  Color can be used to distinguish important data from other information.  Also, color can be used to add tone and character to the document while simultaneously conveying emotion without the use of words.  As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”; and in my opinion, color is the language of those words.
11. What could you do if you must choose a color palette for a business or project but have no experience or talent for picking appropriate colors?
Solicit the help of a graphic designer Use the varying color tools available on the Internet (ex. Color Schemer On-Line or Traumwind Color Match)
12. Traumwind Color Match: Conduct a Google search for the term TRAUMWIND COLOR MATCH. Go to the TRAUMWIND site. What is the purpose of this site? Note: On page 54, the book lists other sites which can help you select a color palette.
The purpose of this site is to help an individual create a color palette to use in creating a webpage.
13. Try out TRAUMWIND: a. Enter this value in the Traumwind color number box:  #B3F2FF   (do you see the 6-color palette that is created?) b. Now enter a different 6-digit number into the box (Traumwind may change the number to a “web safe” color number that is close to the number you select). Experiment entering numbers until you find a color palette that you find attractive. c. Screenshot: 1. Once you create a Traumwind color palette that you like, press the PRINT SCREEN button on your keyboard to copy the Traumwind screen onto the Clipboard. 3. Open MS PAINT and paste the screenshot image into PAINT (CTRL-V). 4. Save the image with an appropriate name into your GRAPHICS folder.  5. Once you copy this document into your blog, insert the image of your screenshot into the space below.
My Traumwind Color Palette:
14. Design Seeds: Go to the following web site:  http://design-seeds.com/ Design Seeds is another web site for you, the graphic designer to help you find color schemes for your work (web sites, documents, images, logos, etc.). Click on the PALETTE SEARCH and then click on a THEME from the list of themes. Scroll through the palettes until you find one that you like (if you don’t like any of them, try a different theme). Take a screenshot of the palette and paste it here:
Theme (what theme does your palette come from?): Flora Palet My Design Seeds Color Palette:
Roll your cursor over the color chips on the right side of the color scheme (under the SEE SIMILAR COLORS). What does the “tool tip” that pops up indicate? Why is this useful to designers? Try clicking on a color chip. What does it do for you?
The tool tip indicates the hexadecimal number. This is helpful for designers by allowing them to select or create appropriate palette colors when using websites like Traumwind. When clicking the color chip the sight automatically retrieves other color palettes and themes similar to the specific hexadecimal number.

GVCM: Chapter 2: Creating Tables and Graphs

Name:	Student Number:
ISM 4011: Introduction to Information Systems
Graphics and Visual Communication for Managers (GVCM)
Chapter 2: Creating Tables and Graphs
DIRECTIONS: Read the chapter first, then: 1. Answer the questions as indicated below in the space under the question.  Answers may be found in the appropriate chapter of your GVCM textbook. 2. Change your answers to blue so they can be easily distinguished from the questions. 3. Create a new blog post and copy this information into the post. 4. Once it is pasted into your blog, select all the text (CTRL A) and change the font to TREBUCHET. 5. Change the TITLE of the post to: GVCM: Chapter 2: Creating Tables and Graphs
1. How can tables and graphs be useful to readers? Note: Excel uses the term chart for graph.
Tables and graphs can be useful to readers by allowing the reader to process information faster and more efficiently than if expressed by words alone.
2. List four criteria for successful graphics:
The graph should be useful. The graph should be understood easily and quickly. The graph should be designed efficiently. The information in the graph must be true.
3.  Briefly explain this principle of graphic design: Design for a purpose
The principle of "Design for a purpose" in graphic design addresses the questions of:  “What is the designer attempting to show graphically? And Why is he/she trying to show it?”
4.  Briefly explain this principle of graphic design: Be explicit
The graph or table should be able to be understood quickly and the information should be coherent and to the point.
5. Briefly explain this principle of graphic design: Maximize data ink; minimize non-data ink
This principle expresses the concept that all non-essential information and design features should be eliminated and the most pertinent information should be included so that the graph is easier to read.
6. Briefly explain this principle of graphic design: Ensure integrity
This principle of ensuring integrity states that the information in the graph must not only be true but presented in a way that eliminates the possibility of being distorted.
7. Define the following table terms:
body: the rectangular area containing data values; it is the core of the table.  cell: the intersection of a vertical column and a horizontal row.  footer:2 a row that summarizes all the rows in a data table.  rules: horizontal or vertical lines that are sometimes used to separate header  rows from the body of a table or separate data values within a table.  grids: a system of intersecting horizontal and vertical rules.
8. Describe the purpose of each of these types of tables:
reference table: meant for reference; gathers large amounts of data  decision table: designed to help you make a decision  message table: created to convey a specific message or provide a specific insight  into the data
9. List at least five best practices in designing tables:
Title each table Number tables when you have multiple tables Eliminate heavy grid lines Minimize shading Keep table design consistent
10. Define the following graph types:
pie chart: shows the relative size of parts of one item  bar chart: compares multiple items, according to a single characteristic  column chart: displays changes in one or more items over time, with a few  observations  line chart: displays changes in one or more items over time, with many  observations  histogram: displays how groupings fall into a series of progressive ranges  scatter plot: displays correlation between two variables with a large data set
11. List at least five best practices in designing graphs:
Use color or shading to emphasize one point in time more than others Provide value labels whenever possible When designing a pie chart limit segments to five or less When designing bar charts add value labels at the ends of bars When designing column charts make sure the space between the columns narrower than the width of the columns

Pixlr Graphics

Pixlr

 Free online photo editing program

Simple to use and a lot of Fun!

Before Pixlr

This is the image after using Pixler adjustments and filters. Don't I look "Distinguished"!

After Pixlr

Before Pixlr

This picture was extremely underexposed but I brightened the image and gave it more contrast using Pixlr.

After Pixlr

Creative Inspiration

These images were created from scratch using the colors, layers, and transparency feature in Pixlr.

Shadows Within

I used different brush patterns on a plain white canvas to create this image that I call Masquerade.

Masquerade

Before Pixlr

I titled this picture "Passion & Pleasure"! I found the colors and image to be quite exotic. I used the Pixlr color look-up feature under adjustments to alter the image.

After Pixlr