Core Principles of Visual Media, Narrative & Journalism
Design Fundamentals: Visual Principles
Understanding Design: Definition & Core Concepts
Design (verb):
- To conceive or create in the mind; to invent.
- To formulate a plan for; to make something for a purpose.
Visual Weight: Element Prominence
The prominence of an element within a composition. Affected by:
- Size
- Color
- Position
- Shape
Proportion: Element Size Relationships
The size relationship between elements in an image. Usually mathematical.
The Golden Ratio: Fibonacci & Phi
A proportion based upon the
Read MoreKey Concepts in Communication, Grammar, and Natural Sciences
Understanding Language and Communication
Language is the capacity of human beings to communicate through signs, using perceptible elements that represent ideas or things. It functions as a code or system, whether verbal or nonverbal, that encodes concrete signs, decrypts them, and conveys messages.
Key Elements of Communication
- Sender: The originator of the message.
- Receiver: The recipient of the message.
- Referent (Context or Situation): The reality or topic to which the message refers.
- Channel: The medium
Darwin’s Evolution Theory & Cultural Diversity
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and Its Foundations
The definitive version of evolutionism in the nineteenth century was provided by Charles Darwin (1809-1882). In 1858, following his transformative voyage to the Galapagos Islands and South America, Darwin presented a new theory of evolution in London, based on his extensive observations. This theory would have a profound impact on all areas of knowledge.
This theory is based on two fundamental principles:
- Struggle for Survival: Darwin posited a struggle
Seville’s Architectural Heritage: Baroque to 20th Century
Church of the Hospital de la Santa Caridad, Seville
This photograph showcases the Church of the Hospital de la Santa Caridad in Seville, a prime example of 17th-century Andalusian Baroque architecture. The building embodies the religious and artistic sensibilities of Seville’s High Baroque period.
Miguel de Mañara, a nobleman deeply committed to charity as a path to salvation, promoted the church. Its construction began in 1645 and concluded in the following decades, featuring the contributions of
Read MoreEl Greco’s The Burial of Count Orgaz: Art, Legend, and Meaning
The Burial of Count Orgaz: El Greco’s Masterpiece (1586-1588)
Undoubtedly, The Burial of Count Orgaz is considered El Greco’s masterpiece. The contract for the work clearly specified what should be represented. According to legend, when the body of Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo, the Lord of Orgaz (who was not truly a count but a lord), was to be buried, a miracle occurred: Saint Stephen and Saint Augustine descended from heaven to inter him. El Greco, however, transforms this medieval legend into a realistic
Read MoreUnderstanding Culture: Definitions, Types, and Societal Concepts
Understanding Culture: Definitions & Concepts
Defining Culture
Culture is defined as the set of knowledge, beliefs, customs, and human inventions. It also encompasses a set of information that is socially acquired and transmitted by means of language. The notion of culture includes:
Key Components of Culture
- Tools, Techniques, and Technological Works: These are inventions by human beings, ranging from primitive tools for hunting and growing to the most sophisticated computers.
- Knowledge, Beliefs,