Shannon-Weaver

Shannon-Weaver’s model set the foundation for all types of career fields today. It is important for designers to understand this basic concept of how electronic communication and/or non-electronic communication work. I have two examples:

First, I am a Medical Illustrator who electronically and/or non-electronically communicates complex medical and scientific information. One wrong interpretation concept can effect a falsify information for others. Therefore, as sender, I have to have the basic biology knowledge, and I have to convey the concepts in a meaningful, aesthetic, and understandable manner to the receivers through the use of both the computer and the traditional mediums.

Second, as a Cosmetologist, consultation (non-electronic communication) is key understanding of what the clients’ need in order to perform the proper service on them. If the client and I don’t have the basic understanding of the communication, the effect of the haircut or hair color will be a disaster and can even damage the clients’ hair.

Humans verses Computers

Technology has come far but at a cost. Even though computers are less than a century old we have abused them and become slaves of technology. Humans and machines do have complimentary talents but are also flawed because of the interaction between the two. In my opinion, computers have made our lives easier but have also hindered our ability to think in the process. If we opt to seek the assistance of a computer for the answer we will end up suffering in other areas.

Since computers are programmed by human beings, they will only do what you tell them to do. To a certain extent computers are dumb because without our assistance to help them function they would be of no help. A computer is a tool made to help us communicate our thoughts through the help of technology but instead it has replaced our ability to think for ourselves. The article speaks of generations growing upon generations in knowledge and may take years to be a well educated citizen. People abuse technology and at the rate we're going future generations will not become well educated citizens because they will be unable to think for themselves.

Shannon Weaver Model

When reading about the Shannon Weaver Model I thought that actually seeing what happens with the information you create is important to the designer. All designers should have to learn what actually happens to what you create so have a better understanding of what you can actually do. One article I found about this method applied it to the way you actually speak as well (http://stevefournier01.tripod.com/hist/hist-6.html). A lot of different things go through this process so the designer should be able to understand.

I think designers should have a clear understanding of what happens to the information, However I do not think they need to have in depth knowledge about the subject. The basic way of using the Shannon Weaver Model will help the designer see where their design ends up from where it started.

Communication Model

Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver were two engineers who developed a model that was designed to maximize an efficient way to transmit electrical signals. The original idea behind the model was to have these electronic signals travel from one location to a destination point. This model has defined communications as the sender/receiver model.

Phone calls, text messages, e-mails, etc. are all forms of communication. Each uses the Shannon-Weaver model, which includes a sender and a receiver. This model conveys a basic concept of how communication takes place.

It is important for designers to understand the Shannon-Weaver model because it is the concept of how electronic communication works. Whether or not we use the Shannon-Weaver model today, others who have created new models that allow electronic signals to travel in a much faster period of time, referenced the Shannon-Weaver model.

It is important for designers to understand the Shannon-Weaver model, just as it is important for doctors to understand basic principles of biology. This model set a foundation for where we are today.

Shannon-Weaver Model

The Shannon-Weaver Model seems like such an obvious theory, so-much-so that I feel it's irrelevant. I agree with Matt that there's always going to be a sender and receiver of information, and also agree with Adam that it's pointless.

Maybe it's because my generation grew up in the digital age, where we're constantly surrounded by the that big red Easy Button. Perhaps "pointless" is a strong word but do we need to know much more than where the information is from and where it needs to go? We have an objective, we execute, hopefully we'll avoid any whisper down the lane-type distractions, and we're done.

The Ever-Increasing Pace of Change

One Section in Don Norman’s article Being Analog really hit home. In the section “The Ever-Increasing Pace of Change” he talks about the quickness of change throughout our society. From work to sports to education, one is no longer able to pick up on their surrounds merely by observing and exploring. He talks about the amount of education that is required today. No longer can one simply graduate high school and expect to be successful. Businesses will rarely consider you today for a job if you don’t have a college degree. And speaking directly from experience, even an under-graduate degree won’t cut it in today’s society.

Norman states “Scientists no longer are able to keep up with advances even within their own field, let alone in all of science. As a result, we are in the age of specialization, where it is all one person can do to keep up with the pace in some restricted domain of endeavor. But with nothing but specialists, how can we bridge the gaps?”

I chose to go back to grad school because I noticed that businesses need specialist. You cannot be just a graphic or web designer and expect to get a job. You have to have a specialized skill that will set you apart from the crowds. Recently while I was job hunting, I noticed that most jobs expect you to be able to handle a large number of responsibilities on top of being some sort of digital specialist. This is a frustrating realization, but this is the reality of our time. With digital replacing everything that was once analog and simple, we, as designers, need to bust our asses to stay afloat in this ruthless world.

Working in such a digital realm, it is crucial to understand the world around us. This forces us out of our comfort zones as analog beings it pushes us into this new territory. Two quotes from Norman sums this new territory up: “The real problem with being digital is that it implies a kind of slavery to accuracy…” and “People do best with signals and information that fit the way they perceive and think, which means analogous to the real world. Machines do best with signals and information that is suited for the way they function, which means digital, rigid, precise.” I feel that designers are forced to become digital beings, even if we are not completely comfortable stepping away from a more analog world. We must learn to adapt this new way of thinking and living or else we will not be able to survive in the world of design.

Analog Beings in a Digital World

Todays world has undergone more changes in the last hundred years than the last one thousand years before it. With the sudden explosion of technology, humankind has ushered in an era where technology has defined nearly everything we do. Whether we want it to or not. Computers are by nature digital creations that operate by rigid guidelines, precise mathematics, and are built from materials that are as unbending as the machines themselves. Quite the opposite of humans. We think in more much general terms that can withstand small levels of error without any disruption. We are inherently creative and abstract problem solvers.

So how do flexible, analog beings learn to live in a society that is riddled with these calculating, unforgiving machines? Are current situation has show us that we cannot continue on our current path. Something has to change because right now we are being forced to live and think in ways that are unnatural. The article had a wonder solution in that we need to create a better, more natural way of interacting with computers. This is the challenge we face as designers. How do we make our users experience more "human like"?

When reading about the Shannon-Weaver model it seemed important for designers because it showed how the communication process may have once worked. After reading into it further though, it became clear that the model has become less relevant today because of computers. Due to the convergence of information and communications, and the current multimedia environment, communication no longer takes place in a linear fashion. This means that one can no longer distinguish who is the sender and who is the receiver; instances where this can occur would be an online bulletin board, blog, etc.

Being able to access information from almost anywhere on the internet has also dulled the importance of the Shannon-Weaver model. Since one can simply access information from anywhere on the web, how can one be considered the sender of information? Especially when all they did was gather it from a different source? So really, in the end of it all, I do not fully believe it is important for designers to understand the Shannon-Weaver model. Since current technologies have impacted it's relevance so much, I personally find it pointless to understand, but thats just my opinion.

The Shannon-Weaver Model

The Shannon-Weaver Model is a complex design that seems easy from a user's perspective. How often do you think about how your cellphone just called another cellphone, on a different carrier, landline, or internationally? It's easy for us to do but how does it all happen in real-time no matter how far apart in the world users are. Essentially there is a sender and a receiver for information. But between them are transmitters and receivers that make it all happen "behind the scenes."

A new communication model needs to be written when new forms of communication are created. There used to be telephone cables used as internet lines, now we have Fios cables for that to increase speed and not tie up other lines of communication. We used to always need to be plugged into a network, now we can do it wirelessly. New forms of communication require new lines of communication to carry more data, faster, and more efficiently. i.e. FaceTime on the iPhone 4. It needs a wireless network to do so, but will something take the place of wi-fi so we can make face-to-face video calls whenever we want regardless of a wi-fi connection? No matter the advancements that will happen with technology, there will always need to be a sender and receiver.

This Week's Assignments

Read:
Being Analog, Don Norman: http://www.jnd.org/dn.mss/being_analog.html
Research:
The Shannon-Weaver Model

Assignment:

Blog about the Shannon-Weaver model and how it may apply to communications today

or

Blog about the reading. Perhaps answer one of these questions:

• Why is it important for designers to understand the Shannon-Weaver model?
• How are you an analog being? How are you a digital being?

Postmodernism

Postmodernism is a term that can be used in almost all fields such as design, architecture, even writing. The way in which someone portrays postmodernism is based on their own feelings and experiences on the topic. Postmodernism is very individualistic and can be the exact opposite of what someone else believes.

The movie The Fountainhead, is a good example that i have learned from about postmodernism. An architect was creating gorgeous designs in a city that were very futuristic looking at the time that looked like a giant leap in architecture. The companies that wanted his buildings wanted him to change them to look more like the buildings that already exist in the city but he wouldn't allow anyone to change his designs because they were his. He wanted change and his designs were revolutionary, the world just wasn't ready for them yet. The public wanted the same designs to be done over and over but the architect, Howard Roark, wanted completely new ones. His designs were the exact opposite of the previous, a characteristic of postmodernism.

Postmodernism

The thing that strikes me the most about postmodernism, are the many different ways in which it is used, or in which it describes something. Due to these many meanings of the word I would have to agree with Dick Hebdige and his writings in 'Hiding in the Light,' that state that the term is merely a buzzword. To me, the fact the word has well over fifteen meanings, means it is in fact a buzzword and has no truthful meaning, except for maybe categorizing an art/style movement. Also, most of the meanings of the word are often contradictions of it's other meanings, which in a way, further prove Hebdige's writings.

Due to this, the only light in which I can see the word being used effectively, would be in aesthetic categories. Architecture, music, and literature are a few mentions in the wikipedia article we were told to read. According to the article, postmodern design involved seamlessly blending form and function together, and removed useless ornament. Personally I enjoy designs that employ these techniques, especially Philip Johnson's work, which was featured in the article.

Postmodernism

Many think of things differently today then that of 30 years ago. People choose to believe something as their truth because it works for them. As a result reason, logic and science has been pushed aside. It is difficult to define postmodernism because philosophers and individual’s alike want to believe what they want to believe, no questions asked.

French philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard defined postmodernism as incredulity (disbelief) to all metanarratives. He had a skeptical attitude towards all claims of absolute truths. These big stories he spoke of are open to interpretation resulting in a never-ending cycle of suspicions to truth claims.

Many say that postmodernists create their own truths. They are stuck in this mindset and end up creating their own reality. All that matters to them is their perspective on things and believe they know the meaning to life. Regardless of what you believe, we must all agree to disagree because this is a topic that as strong-minded individuals will never agree upon one truth.

Postmodenism

Postmodernism could relate to design in a few ways. The sort of premise behind postmodernism is that in a way there is no limits to something, truths to something, and no true boundaries exist. Possibly this could be related to design because nothing is really set in stone about design, it’s a forever changing thing with endless possibilities. A person could try to limit your thinking and say something is wrong but that cant be right because is anything wrong with this way of thinking? It might be not right for something but I don’t think they could say its wrong. However with this way of thinking it can lead you to paradox’s in your own logic and you might get all over the place but everyone uses these techniques when thinking about things whether they realize it or not.

The Medium is the Message

Marshall McLuhan had said the phrase "The Medium is the Message" in the book Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Which was meant to mean that medium influences how the message is perceived.
When it is compared to the book and movies. A part of a book could be reread at whatever time you would like to but now movies are also able to be viewed over again without watching the whole thing in its entirety. I understand what he means about all of this but some other explanations were more over the top.
For example in part of his explanation I got a little confused. When he began to explain how a light bulb would be a good example of this saying. I understand how a light bulb can change a space because of its presence since it can change the whole atmosphere when it is illuminated, but the relationship between that and how it compares to receiving a message is what confuses me.
I don't agree entirely with this because not all people see the medium as the entire message some people actually look at the message that they are given not just how it is given.

Postmodernism and Marshall McLuhan

Postmodernism is a rejection of modernism. From what I've learned, most ages were just rejections of each other. Modernism was a rejection of spiritual values in exchange for scientific facts and rationalizations. Modernism placed a large amount of restrictions on the way people lived and created things. Postmodernism looked to free itself from all of the restrictions that had been set by Modernism. These changes were felt in all kinds of mediums, including design. This would, in a way, explain how it relates to this class.

"The Medium is in the Massage" by Marshall McLuhan argues that the ways we communicate dictate our experiences in the world. The title plays on the word "Massage" because these days, people find these means of communication (television, apps, the internet) to be relaxing. He argues that these mediums are creating anxiety because of the ways they affect our thoughts and minds. It's interesting to think about how reliant people are in today's society on these means of communication.

I am missing a hidden message?

The last time I discussed Postmodernism or even heard the term was in Art History II. The only thing it meant to me at the time was simply a time period... and of course I could relate which art and architecture was relevant to the time period.
So, "The medium is the message." The quote was coined by postmodernist Marshal McLuhan meaning that you should focus on how the end result comes about and not the content it displays. Its a great theory and all, but I think its bologna. Yes the medium is always a great factor in whether your painting is oil or acrylic. Or whether your website is flash vs. html. Or a comic book vs. a movie. Sure, I get it, but I would not take it to the grave. Or maybe McLuhan was a bit too deep for me with his light bulb "creating an environment by its mere presence." Its not creating anything. The environment is still there. It did not go on vacation. The article further explains "...the newscast engenders by the fact that such crimes are in effect being brought into the home to watch over dinner." Well my dear, why are we watching tv while eating dinner anyway? We all know this leads to eating more than we are suppose to and less human interaction with the people surrounding us. Stop looking and listening to the box and focus more on how your family or friends day was and what is on your plate.
Maybe I am missing the point, but I disagree with his philosophy. I think you should put thought into how the message is portrayed, it makes a bigger impact on the effect of the message, but sometimes less is more and a comic can do the trick if you know how to illustrate the ideas properly. I read Tracy's response and I think this ties to it perfectly. Everyone would have understood the comic better if the artist had thought out his message a bit clearer.

Post-Modernism

Modernism is about the belief in science, rationality, and optimism; however, post-modernism is about becoming a global society, declining in the belief of God as a force of good and becoming interested in peoples’ personal concerns.

Post-modern ideas are how society becomes more aware of pop cultures and the media, and they influence our lives than ever before. The reality is that the media shaped and determined the way we live. Our individual identity, reality, and purpose for life are referential from the media. More and more people take interest in others’ personal life such as those popular reality shows “Jersey Shore” and “The Kardashian” is a dramatic and humorous aim for generation-x crowd and not so much for older viewers. Therefore, the media create the mindset of post-modernist in ways that shape our lives to what we see in television, music, and advertisements.

The medium is the message

Postmodernism separates from modernist approaches to create its own perspective. While modernism is simple and sharp, postmodernism is more unique and steps away from the monotony.

Marshall McLuhan coins the phrase The Medium is the Message in his book Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. What he really means by this phrase is the way information is presented to people will determine how they understand it. When reading a book that is later made into a film, you may find the raw information to generally be the same, but the message is completely different. One allows you to create visuals and see dialogue while the other gives visuals and allows you to interpret the dialogue the way it's presented. This is why people get frustrated when their favorite book becomes a movie. They have already stored the information and understood it from the book and then seeing it in a whole new media, visualized by someone else's understanding of the book, completely sets them off.

How I would connect this to Post Modernism and Modernism would mean that they are simply two different medias. Generally they both apply to the same things: art, music, decor, fashion, architecture etc. But they are two different ways of presenting something. How the person understands it depends on how the information is given to them.

The Medium is the Mass age

Canadian Philosopher Marshall McLuhan said that "the medium is the message." By this he means that it is the medium itself rather than the content exchanged within it that has a profound effect on society. I find what McLuhan says to be true as we can see evidence of it all around us.

Everyday we are connected through various mediums such as printed material, radio, television, the internet, smart phones, as well as many others. For every different medium that we communicate through there is an inherently different feel and effect that we experience. Non visual mediums such as books and radio leave an element of imagination up to the user. With visually stimulating mediums like television and movies we are all given the same images to interpret the content as apposed to books and radio where we are left to fill in the blanks.

The internet is a whole different experience than any other media the world has ever been exposed to. It is user controlled individual experience, that knows no boundaries.

Many people fail to realize the big picture of what is going on. We tend to focus on what the content of our mediums are and not the effect they have on the way we communicate.