Visual+Literacy

= Visual﻿ Literacy Critique =

The below visual learning example appears to be an attempt to inform Americans that we eat too much protein. The example suggests that being overproteined is unwanted, however, although it is common knowledge that the below foods are very harmful to our health, the images used to condemn these foods appear to be more of an advertisement.

Let us begin using the PAT model as a guideline to critique the below image. P which stands for Perception includes being figure-ground, hierarchal, and gestalt. The below picture figure-ground meaning that the foreground and background are able to be differentiated. The visual does not appear to be hierarchal due to the images not being depicted as having a position that takes precedence over another. Gestalt was used in the contiguity that the photos of food provide. The A is for Actions which is the next guideline and includes contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. The contrast portion appears to be missing because the illustrator does not show a contrast of the foods that should be eaten. The numbers are repeated and the same font is used which keeps the diagram consistent. As far as alignment goes, it is very symmetrical and allows the eye to focus where the information is being assembled. The proximity of the information of the different types of protein was rather close to one another. A larger area for the tables would keep the data from appearing too congested. The creator of the visual did a great job relaying a large amount of information in a small space. T for Tools is type, shape, color, depth, and space. The entire illustration is colorful and eye catching. The boxes are used to organize the data for the reader.

Overall the illustrator was able to convene the message effectively, but with some minor adjustments would have been able to get the message across quicker and appear a little less complicated.