- One of the first assignments I had in college
was to take an image and change its meaning
with one word.
It sounds easy,
but most of us failed, including me.
We all managed to choose an image,
in my instance a lemon,
and add a word.
I chose tart.
In fact, this didn't change the meaning.
It only provided more information about the lemon.
If I had chosen a lemon and added the word car,
the lemon becomes a metaphor
for the quality of a car.
Images and words will always combine
to change the meaning or enhance it.
This is good.
This gives you a larger set of tools to use.
When images and words are combined
and there is no increase or change in meaning,
the solution fails.
This is simply a caption.
Used correctly,
the words should never simply repeat
what the image is saying.
This presumes the viewer doesn't have the intelligence
to understand the image.
I don't need to see both elements.
A good combination is a good symbiosis.
Neither element can live alone.
The image of a man falling from an upper floor is striking.
It is unexpected.
The frame is cropped with four quadrants
and we are left with questions.
The headline, "They Always Come Down,"
adds to the mystery
as opposed to "Man Falls From Roof."
How we evaluate information
is the basis of a good image and text relationship.
We first look at an image
and then any text that helps us understand the content.
A single sheep can mean many things.
The added text makes the communication clear.
Many times, our job is to assist images
that we can't control.
This couldn't be more true with online sites and apps
that allow users to upload their own images.
Applying colorful text that overlaps
and highlights the images
maintains the energy of consistency of the app.
One of my favorite pieces of graphic design
is this simple ad.
The innocent and hopeful image of friendship
with no bias is strong on its own.
The headline, "The blind are also colorblind,"
makes it unforgettable.
Remember, this isn't easy.
You're playing with the meaning of an image
with its cultural, historical, and literal meanings.
Then you're adding words that have
their own power and meaning.
This takes time and practice.
The most important issue to consider is that
once again, no element just sits their neutrally.
Be aware that each choice you make creates meaning.
If you think this through, you'll be fine.