Theory and Practice -Metaphor

Task 1

Find examples of visual metaphors used in film, computers and everyday life for the following:

The passage of time

Controlling movement

Tools in software programmes

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and was adapted to film by director David Fincher.

The film starts with a parable about a clockmaker who builds a clock that runs backwards, as a symbolic attempt to bring home the son he lost in the First World War. The clock reappears several times in the film as a metaphor for Benjamin's own life. The physical clock was never built for set.

The evil eye is a metaphor of protection and brings luck to all.

With its warm blue, the shine it has derived from the fire and the smiling face that's a typical feature of the Anatolian people, it gives happiness to the friends and the beloved ones.

The Reflections of an Ancient Anatolian Belief on Glass: Nazar Boncugu Throughout the whole human history, in every culture and religion, the eye figure has been considered as a powerful talisman to defy evil forces.

Belief in the evil eye, is strongest in the Middle East, South Asia and Europe, especially the Mediterranean region; it has also spread to other areas, including northern Europe, particularly in the Celtic regions, and the Americas, where it was brought by European colonists and Middle Eastern immigrants.

Brain-As-Computer Metaphor

According to author of Mind Performance Hacks, and Dr. Jonathan Sullivan MD PhD in neurology, to consider the brain is a computer, the mind is software. The software of thought is supposed to operate much like that of a computer, going from discrete state to discrete state.

Metaphor Tools in software programmes

The Windows interface metaphor is used by most operating systems. This sets expectations for users by setting conventions. Users become familiar with the conventions and are better able to use additional software.

Task 2

Discuss Theodor Holm Nelson’s criticisms of the the ‘desktop’ metaphor: describe briefly why you agree or disagree with his assertion:

“We are told to believe that this is a “metaphor” for a “desktop.”  But I personally have never seen a desktop where pointing at a lower piece of paper makes it jump to the top, or where placing a sheet of paper on top of a file folder causes the folder to gobble it up.  I don’t believe such desks exist; and I don’t think I want one if it did.”

Nelson, The Art of Human-Computer Interface Design, (1990: 237)

The whole idea of a desktop metaphor is that it is a metaphor not the real thing. The desktop metaphor is used to suggest that a computer screen is like a physical desk, with papers and folders to shuffle around and various desk accessories, such as calculators, printers, and notepads.

This above picture of the desktop of an individual who has given up organizing their files and folders, and instead relies completely on Spotlight to access their files. I’ve said in the past that I think the desktop metaphor is insufficient for managing the stuff we now store on our computing devices.

Task 3

Find examples of icons used in software of websites which you find unhelpful or confusing.

I’m new on Photoshop and flash so sometimes get confused with how to handle certain tasks, and determine the differences between the various pen symbols.

For example two tools (burn & dodge) on Photoshop is related to the film photography world, so if you’ve never been in a dark room, you might be a little confused.