visualize
Step 5 to effective large-format graphics: Visualizing the final product
When dealing with large-format graphics, there is always one problem that consistently rears it's ugly head: many people can't visualize what the graphic will look like. Most often, it is just too difficult to wrap your brain around the actual size of the graphic. Most computer monitors are between 17" and 24", whereas almost all large-format graphics are 3' x 5' or larger. Sure you can squint at your monitor from across the room, but that can't possibly give you a decent sense of scale when it comes right down to it.
In previous months, I've discussed the importance of legibility and simplicity in large-format design. Unfortunately, without a decent perception of size, you're taking a crap shoot with your marketing campaign. You see, whether it's a client, a boss, or employees and freelancers, everyone involved in your marketing efforts needs to have the same idea for the impact it will have. Particularly if you're dealing with a large-budget marketing campaign, the entire crew should be able to speak using the same visual vocabulary. Read the full article...

In previous months, I've discussed the importance of legibility and simplicity in large-format design. Unfortunately, without a decent perception of size, you're taking a crap shoot with your marketing campaign. You see, whether it's a client, a boss, or employees and freelancers, everyone involved in your marketing efforts needs to have the same idea for the impact it will have. Particularly if you're dealing with a large-budget marketing campaign, the entire crew should be able to speak using the same visual vocabulary. Read the full article...
Color Illusions
March 19,2007 Filed in: Case Studies

How Color Can Play Tricks With Your Eye
Color is one of those elusive subjects; it is very difficult to communicate precisely. Many variables, from lighting conditions to the surrounding environment to the age of the viewer, have an effect on the way we perceive color. Some variables in particular change the way colors are perceived when prints become large. In this article I show you some visual aids to demonstrate how a color can be perceived differently simply by changing the surroundings.The Luminance Illusion
Lets start with a simple grayscale example. The image below demonstrates how our perception of depth and shadow effects the way we perceive color. To be more precise, the following illusion will show how the eye perceives the luminance of an object different from the actual luminance values. Press “Play” to reveal the illusion.The Cornsweet illusion: our eyes perceive the luminance of the top and bottom object as different, when they are actually the same luminance, or brightness.
You will see that the top and bottom grey are actually the same value! This effect is know as the Cornsweet illusion. You can read more about it here at Wikipedia.