Visual+Literacy




 * This assignment involved learning about Visual Literacy and using the PAT model to create visuals. PAT stands for Perceptions, Actions, and Tools. We were given a visual and asked to interpret it, critique it in relation to the PAT model, and give our suggestions for any improvements that could be made. To see the visual that this assignment was based upon, you can use this link: @http://metrostate.blackboard.com/webct/RelativeResourceManager/sfsid/11441643664031**


 * Here it is!**

My interpretation of this visual is that the designer is trying to display facts in a fun way to support the idea that we consume too much protein in America. The images initially allow the person looking at the visual to really understand what the table is representing, which is food. Then the title, “Overproteined”, lets us know that it is going to demonstrate that we, as Americans, eat an excessive amount of protein. The statistics used in the visual then force us to contemplate the actual amount of high-protein based foods we consume. The overall design of the visual in terms of the PAT model leaves a bit to be desired in terms of typography, the use of separate elements, and consistency. I think the alignment is done well, and the pictures definitely enhance the table. The table does contain multiple colors to make the chart more appealing to the eye, but there is really no contrast between the fonts except for the title, which is white instead of black. The repetition of the images is helpful to visualize exactly what the figures signify, and the space is well defined and symmetric. I think the visual is lacking a little bit in consistency because it looks uneven with three of the four boxes having either the word million or billion underneath the number while the 127 chickens box does not have this. I would possibly try to find another statistic that would fit better, so it looks more appealing to the eye. Also, I noticed that my first instinct was to look at the pictures because they seem to dominate the visual. It is very useful to have images on the chart because they do enhance it, but it might help emphasize the importance of the information in the table to decrease the size of the pictures. Furthermore, to improve the look of this visual, I would introduce another font style to make it more interesting. Therefore, even though this visual has some appealing aspects, I would change several attributes of the design to enhance the effectiveness of the message the creator is trying to convey to the audience.